Joe Mantegna To Direct New Lenny Bruce Play Off-Broadway

Hot off a sold-out, wildly successful run in Los Angeles, producers Just Words Productions, LLC, in association with Theatre 68, and Lenny Bruce's daughter, Kitty Bruce, announced today that Joe Mantenga will direct the Off-Broadway premiere of I'm Not A Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce, written by and starring Ronnie Marmo. Performances begin Tuesday, October 23 at The Cutting Room (44 E 32nd St).

The official opening of I'm Not A Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce will be Sunday, November 4. For more information and to purchase tickets, ranging in price from $50-$125, please visit www.LennyBruceOnStage.com. Please note, I'm Not A Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce runs approximately 90-minutes, explores mature themes and includes strong language & nudity.

Joe Mantenga said today, of the unconventional choice of theater for this play, "Walking into the Cutting Room is like stepping back in time. Every inch of the space feels like you're back in the 60s. It puts the audience right into the environment in which Lenny Bruce worked, which is why we chose it to bring the show to New York.

It's a club that Lenny would've definitely played".
Directed by multi Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantegna, I'm Not A Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce stars Ronnie Marmo brilliantly chronicling the life and death of the most controversial comedian of all time: Lenny Bruce. Busted for obscenity, Lenny fought for freedom of speech all the way to the Supreme Court. He accidentally died of an overdose in 1966, while out on appeal.

An undisputed comic legend, Lenny Bruce was one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. His life and work have had an impact on poetry, politics, music, film and, of course... comedy. Lenny's tempestuous personal and professional life was marked by great passion and great pain. His unwavering commitment to free speech led to numerous obscenity charges and arrests. Lenny has not yet been surpassed at his particular brand of art, and if he were around today, he would be in as much trouble as when he was alive.

Upon its Los Angeles opening, Ronnie Marmo and I'm Not A Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce received rave reviews from critics and celebrities alike. The Los Angeles Times proclaimed it a "Critic's Choice!" Steve Sunshine, from Extra-TV called the show "Funny and touching." Billy Crystal concurred, adding, "Beautifully directed by Joe Mantegna with a strong performance by Ronnie Marmo, this funny, fierce and tragic work vividly brings to life the comedian we so miss today."

A portion of this shows proceeds will go to the Lenny Bruce Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity. We provide the funds for those who have no insurance or enough money to get treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. For more information please go to www.lennybruce.org. All contributions are tax deductible.

Ronnie Marmo has starred in more than 60 feature films and television shows, most recently guest starring in Criminal Minds and Lethal Weapon. He also starred in "Ammore E Malavita (Love and Bullets)" an Italian musical film which just won the David di Donatello for best picture (the Italian equivalent to an Academy Award). Other credits include "Back In The Day" (on Netflix now), Deuces Wild, Crocodile Dundee in LA, West Of Brooklyn, Pizza With Bullets, Truck 20's Location, Death Of A Tree, Irish Eyes (aka Vendetta), and Limbo Lounge. He has guest starred in several hit television shows including "JAG," and "Young And The Restless." He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor by the Indie Soap Awards for his role as Crotch in the series, "Adults Only." Ronnie enjoyed a three-year run on ABC's "General Hospital" as Ronnie Dimestico. On stage, he has starred in more than 40 plays. A few of his favorites include Bill Wilson in Bill W. and Dr. Bob, Silva in Baby Doll, Earl in the Los Angeles Premiere of The Late Henry Moss, Danny in Danny and The Deep Blue Sea, and Satan in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. Ronnie recently completed an audio book in which he portrays Lenny Bruce in Lenny's autobiography, "How to Talk Dirty and Influence People." The audio book is on sale now through Hachette publishing. As a director, Marmo has staged over 50 stage productions and produced upwards of 100 in Los Angeles and New York. Ronnie was the Artistic Director and Producer of the critically acclaimed first ever 13 by Shanley Festival; which enjoyed a six-month run. He received the Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award for achievements as an actor, writer, director and producer at the 2010 Garden State Film Festival. He continues to serve at the Artistic Director of Theatre 68 (68 Cent Crew Theatre Company) in Los Angeles and New York City.

Joe Mantegna (Director) was awarded the Tony and Joseph Jefferson Award for his acclaimed performance as Richard Roma in David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Glengarry Glen Ross. Some of Joe's film and television highlights are; House of Games, Searching for Bobby Fisher, Godfather III, his Emmy and Golden Globe nominated role of Dean Martin in The Ratpack, his Emmy nominated role of Pipi Delana in "The Last Don," and the voice of Fat Tony on The Simpsons. For two seasons Joe stared with Mary Steenburgen and Amber Tamblyn in the critically acclaimed CBS drama Joan of Arcadia, winner of the 2004 People Choice Award for best new drama as well as picking up three Emmy nominations. In 2008 Joe reprised his Emmy nominated role of Lou Manahan opposite Debra Messing in USA Network series The Starter Wife. Joe has also lent his voice to the Disney/Pixar film, CARS2 and continues his 23-year run as Fat Tony on The Simpsons. In April of 2011 Joe received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Joe lends much of his free time to a number of philanthropic endeavors. In May of 2012 Joe was appointed the National Spokesperson for The U.S. Army Museum, to lead the fundraising campaign to build the long-planned National Museum of the United States Army. He's also an ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation, which builds homes for wounded veterans. His passions also include various autism related charities as well as being a long-time supporter of the Barbara Sinatra Center for Abused Children. In 2014 Joe received the Lifetime Achievement award from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for his dedication to the community and craft of acting. Currently Joe stars as FBI Special Agent David Rossi in season twelve of the Hit CBS Drama Criminal Minds as well as hosting and producing duties for six seasons on "Gun Stories" for the Outdoor Channel. His newest collaboration is Hollywood Weapons: Fact or Fiction? Joe resides in Los Angeles with his wife of 40 years Arlene, and their two daughters Mia and Gia.

Following its sold-out Los Angeles run, the Off-Broadway premiere of Ronnie Marmo's I'm Not A Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce, directed by Joe Mantegna and starring Marmo, will begin performances on Tuesday, October 23 at The Cutting Room (44 E 32nd St). The official press opening is Sunday, November 4. Tickets range in price from $50-$125 and can be arranged online at www.LennyBruceOnStage.com. Please note, I'm Not A Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce runs approximately 90-minutes, explores mature themes and includes nudity. For more information, please visit, www.LennyBruceOnStage.com.