AN EVENING WITH GROUCHO Comes to ACT Tonight

No one mines an audience for laughter like Frank Ferrante; the actor/comedian who keeps a crowd in stitches, improvising on a whim. Back in Seattle after last summer's sold-out run at ACT, Frank re-ignites his hilarious tribute performance as Groucho Marx that is partly scripted, partly improvised, and completely ridiculous. Frank Ferrante reprises the critically acclaimed An Evening With Groucho, that amazed audiences and created a buzzing smash hit. Winner of the 1987 New York Theatre World Award, nominee for the Outer Critics Circle Award and Laurence Olivier Award, and well-known for his comic creation 'Caesar' with Teatro ZinZanni, Ferrante is always a sure-fire hit for new audiences and a must-see for comedy lovers.

Frank Ferrante was discovered in the 1980s by Groucho's son Arthur, and together they originated the off-Broadway show Groucho: A Life in Revue (written by Arthur Marx). The intimate portrayal of the famous comedian garnered Ferrante international notoriety and his work with the now late Arthur Marx blossomed into its current incarnation An Evening With Groucho. Dreya Weber, who plays Cleopatra opposite Frank's Caesar in Teatro ZinZanni's Hail Caesar beginning in September, directs.

Presented by the Central Heating Lab at ACT, An Evening with Groucho is a fast paced 90-minute comedic juggernaut packed with vintage one-liners, anecdotes, songs, and vignettes. After perfecting his Groucho act for over two decades, Ferrante continually delivers performances of spontaneity for all generations to enjoy.

Born Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx (1890-1977) was the middle son of five brothers, raised by his poor immigrant parents Sam and Minnie Marx in New York City. Groucho's first performance was at age 15 singing with a group called the "Leroy Trio". His brothers Harpo, Chico, Gummo, and Zeppo joined as the singing "Four Nightingales" which would later evolve into the legendary vaudeville act "The Marx Brothers." By 1924 the Marx Brothers were playing Broadway with their first hit show I'll Say She Is. By 1930 the Brothers moved to Hollywood and became comedic film sensations with Duck Soup, Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, A Night at the Opera, and Animal Crackers among others. Groucho launched his successful solo career as a comic host for television and radio with You Bet Your Life, and enjoyed a renaissance in the 1960s as younger audiences took to Marx Brothers. In his final years he made many TV appearances, performed at Carnegie Hall at age 82 and received a special Academy Award in 1974 for the achievements of the Marx Brothers.

Who: ACT Central Heating Lab and Frank Ferrante

Where: ACT, The Bullitt Cabaret, 700 Union Street, Downtown Seattle

When: Opens June 13 - June 30, 2013

Tickets: Adults: $35; 25 and Under: $25

Available to ACTPass members. Now on sale: (206) 292-7676 or www.acttheatre.org

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