The Goodman Theatre begins its 2009-2010 season with the unique and strategically chosen Marx Brothers production, Animal Crackers. Originally on Broadway in 1928, right before the onset of the Great Depression, Animal Crackers served as a perfect entertainment escape. Though economists are announcing the current recession is over, the effects are lingering, providing Animal Crackers another opportunity, more than 80 years later, to be a hysterical escape for a new generation.
Dancing, singing and a slew of one-liners fill the vaudeville production about Mrs. Rittenhouse’s party honoring the African explorer, Captain Spaulding/Groucho (played by Joey Slotnick). Chaos ensues when a famed piece of art goes missing and the guests’ ulterior motives are revealed. The Marx Brothers characters including Emanuel Ravelli/Chico (Jonathan Brody) and The Professor/Harpo (Molly Brennan) push the plot along with wacky comedic antics.
Animal Crackers opens with a weak danceture and does take a moment or two to adjust to the unfamiliar vaudevillian genre, but after Captain Spaulding bursts onto the production, there is no looking back. Joey Slotnick captures Grocho Marx’s persona and is completely charming rattling off one-liner jokes with some physical humor (I have to admit, I found myself mesmerized each time he was on stage).
Rounding out the Marx cast of characters are Emanuel Ravelli, a perfectly cast Jonathan Brody who nailed the raspy fake Italian accent and his sidekick, The Professor, played by the buzz-worthy Molly Brennan. Brody showed off his Ravelli disciplines, which included comedic timing and playing piano (a highlight being the humorous solo, “Everyone Says I Love You”). Brennan also deserves every bit of publicity thrust in her direction after being cast to play the male role. Her 500 Clown background helped shape the physically humorous Professor character, making the audience burst into hysterics without ever saying a word.
Of course, I don’t want to be negligible and not mention the fourth and very forgettable Marx Brother, Horatio Jamison/Zeppo (Ed Kross). With the other Marx characters having such strong personas, the Zeppo character, described as the ‘sappy/romantic’ brother, failed to conjure up a connection. I also found the duet with his love interest, “Why Am I So Romantic”, to be very slow and stagnant, when the song could have been powerful.
Along with the disappointing Zeppo character, the production does have a couple other underwhelming and confusing moments (why did the production suddenly move to France?), but it does not detract from this fabulous revival. I longed for all three Marx characters to be on stage every moment and was blown away by the diverse cast who had to sing, dance, play musical instruments and act with impeccable comedic timing.
If you have the opportunity (and can find a ticket or two), I encourage you to see this rarely staged production by one of the best theatre companies in America. And because I’m sure Cheeky doesn’t want me rambling on too long, I’ll leave you with my top reasons to catch Animal Crackers:
- Joey Slotnick as Groucho
- Molly Brennan as Harpo
- Jonathan Brody as Chico
- The fabulous number, “Three Little Words”
- The live orchestra – on stage!
