Frank Ferrante’s “Groucho”

[rating=5] Chicago was very fortunate this evening. We got the opportunity to watch the fabulous Frank Ferrante’s one man show ,”Groucho” at the Cabaret Zazou high atop the Cambria Hotel on Randolph Street. Those who have been witness to Both Teatro Zinzani and the current “Luminaire” have seen this man at work. He is and has been the emcee for both. Ferrante is a master of working the audience and making them a part of the show.

For years, Ferrante has been a “Groucho” impersonator. or should we say, interpreter. He breathes Groucho and tells his story as no other could do. With heart and soul into the telling of Groucho’s life as well as his brothers, he truly becomes the man right before our very eyes. And does so “in-the-round” , a very difficult way to perform. Directed by Dreya Weber, Ferrante’s show starts with him being himself and talking about his hero, the incredible, hysterical Groucho Marx ( in reality, Julius). He talks about the man and his family and in doing so , he takes to a makeup table and transforms himself into the man he is about to  “interpret”- the laughs will go on for hours..

The Marx Brothers are known to an older crowd for sure, but many young people inn the audience have heard of , or seen “Animal Crackers”, “A Night at The Opera”, “Duck Soup” and “Room Service” to name a few of the film masterpieces that these comics brought to America, during a time when people needed to laugh. They were featured player in Vaudeville and Broadway in addition to films and later on in life, after the brothers left the industry, Groucho became a TV celebrity with a quiz show “You Bet Your Life” that was one that families waited to watch. Everyone remembers “Say The Secret Word” and you get $100. Wow! A hundred bucks. Remember , this was the 50’s, when the hourly wage was about $1.05 per hour, so $100 was quite a haul. He was a wonderful emcee/host drawing information from those who were contestants with great ease. They wanted to tell him things.

Ferrante has that magic in him as well. Audience members relate to him and fall into place no matter how he goes at them. In fact, they love being “chosen” and referred to. He knew our table. He referred to Paul Lisnek several times and picked on my baldness and my laughter ( I am a loud laugher), but I must tell you, I had the time of my life!

Tonight was a one night only show and while it was a full house, I venture to say, more people wanted to come, but there was no place to put them. I am hopeful that Ferrante and his people will opt to do this again. There are nights where the Cabaret is off, so if he has the energy ( and it appears that he has a great deal of that), perhaps each week, he can do another “Evening With Groucho”. That would be great for our city, the theater-goers of our city and the bills for his children’s education. ( He has two kids in college, here in town)..

To follow him visit www.eveningwithgroucho.com

on instagram :frankferrantesgroucho

and an evening with Groucho on Facebook.

Keep your eye out for the next time he does the show and run, do not walk to get your ticket! While you are waiting, if you have never seen the films, rent them or ask your cable company how to get them and watch- then when yu see Ferrante “Live” you can  understand just how terrific he is!

While waiting for this to take place, you can see his wit and comic mastery at “Luminaire” by going to www.cabaretzazou.com

The Cambria Hotel is located at 32 West Randolph, just West of The Nederlander Theatre.