Cape May Stage Presents AT WIT'S END, 6/11

Join New York actor, singer, and musician Chuck Muckle at Cape May Stage's Robert Shackleton Playhouse for an evening of "music, laughs, and eccentric wit" as Muckle plays Oscar Levant in At Wit's End, by Joel Kimmel. Directed by June Prager, Levant's stories, music, fears, aspirations, struggles, and joys will be presented in a musical and comical performance on June 11th at 8 p.m. as part of Cape May Stage's acclaimed Monday night Second Stage Series.

Oscar Levant was the "enfant terrible" of radio and TV shows, the second-banana costar of classic films from AN AMERICAN IN PARIS to THE BARKLEYS OF BROADWAY to THE BANDWAGON. He was an accomplished musician, author and bon vivant; the darling "bad boy" of mid 20th century American popular culture. Born in Pittsburgh, Levant spent most of his career in Hollywood. He composed the soundtracks for more than twenty films, wrote numerous popular songs, and was a close friend of George Gershwin. Levant was "a noted wit and comic who appeared regularly on radio and later on television, joking and ad-libbing his way into the heart of America." He thrived in the very limelight that brought out the demons that stalked him: hypochondria, neurosis, addiction to prescription drugs, and depression.

At Wit's End by Joel Kimmel depicts Levant's return to the stage after an institutionalized absence. Muckle who has toured with Robert Goulet in South Pacific and Camelot said, "At Wit's End highlights Oscar's return performance after a period of being institutionalized, grappling with drug addiction/withdrawal and various personal crises. The evening is laced with humor, music, and stories about his Hollywood radio, film and TV careers." His anecdotes, wry musings, and sterling musicianship all combine to create an entertaining, insightful look at one of our most popular national entertainers.