Spring Break
'Schmucks' connects laughter and tears
Erica Hope
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
During a blackout, three strangers stumble into a NYC diner. Each man is a comedian and each knew of one another informally before this night. However, as the weather worsens, the men pull up a chair amongst themselves and shine a revealing light on life.
The three comedians are none other than the classic Groucho Marx, the fiery Lenny Bruce, and the upcoming, but a tad terrible, Joe Klein. The trio stars in "Schmucks," the latest production from the Wilma Theater.
Klein, played by Ian Alda, is the first to enter the diner and slump into a depressed state at a table. He is to appear in front of millions on television within the week but his naturally sweet and innocent demeanor does not help him make the impression needed onstage. Most of his performances have flopped and he has no reason to believe that the next will be any more successful.
Enter Lenny Bruce. Bruce, played by Erik Jensen, is full of swaggering gestures and bouts of ridiculous song. He chases the waitress, makes jokes about society and death all while reading satirical and completely fictitious headlines from his newspaper.
Bruce stiffens and quiets just once onstage and that is during the entrance of our third character, Groucho Marx. Played by Ron Crawford, Marx is a classic cabaret comedian with a cigar long enough to reach the third row. The two experienced comedians banter and criticize each other long enough to reveal that Bruce can no longer get onstage due to his profane mouth and drunken acts while Marx is just too old and washed up to get booked.
The plot deepens as Klein tries to harness a bit of Marx and Bruce's talent to help his own act. However, one soon notices that each character seems to be lost in themselves and their own world of pain to help the other. Even the waitress uncovers a scandalous past and the diners experience a visit from "a friend" who steals Bruce's pills and brings all to re-access their existence.
Without giving away the entire plot, I must conclude that this productions strongest point is its ability to draw a connection between laughter and tears. It is a piece that calls for action as it makes us reassess what we have laughed at for so long and make us question why-what is funny and what really matters.
The scrutinous eye of the comedians did nothing but to hold a mirror up to each of them, reflecting cold realty and causing a reevaluation of their lives-just as this show will add value to your own. The ending result is indeed a comedy but it is one that stands out from a river of laughs. Its drama and pain will stick to you and certainly warrant a few conversations of its own. Needless to say, "Schmucks" was more than I had prepared for.
"Schmucks" is running now through Jan. 4. Tickets can be acquired by calling 215-546-7824?or visiting www.wilmatheater.org.
The three comedians are none other than the classic Groucho Marx, the fiery Lenny Bruce, and the upcoming, but a tad terrible, Joe Klein. The trio stars in "Schmucks," the latest production from the Wilma Theater.
Klein, played by Ian Alda, is the first to enter the diner and slump into a depressed state at a table. He is to appear in front of millions on television within the week but his naturally sweet and innocent demeanor does not help him make the impression needed onstage. Most of his performances have flopped and he has no reason to believe that the next will be any more successful.
Enter Lenny Bruce. Bruce, played by Erik Jensen, is full of swaggering gestures and bouts of ridiculous song. He chases the waitress, makes jokes about society and death all while reading satirical and completely fictitious headlines from his newspaper.
Bruce stiffens and quiets just once onstage and that is during the entrance of our third character, Groucho Marx. Played by Ron Crawford, Marx is a classic cabaret comedian with a cigar long enough to reach the third row. The two experienced comedians banter and criticize each other long enough to reveal that Bruce can no longer get onstage due to his profane mouth and drunken acts while Marx is just too old and washed up to get booked.
The plot deepens as Klein tries to harness a bit of Marx and Bruce's talent to help his own act. However, one soon notices that each character seems to be lost in themselves and their own world of pain to help the other. Even the waitress uncovers a scandalous past and the diners experience a visit from "a friend" who steals Bruce's pills and brings all to re-access their existence.
Without giving away the entire plot, I must conclude that this productions strongest point is its ability to draw a connection between laughter and tears. It is a piece that calls for action as it makes us reassess what we have laughed at for so long and make us question why-what is funny and what really matters.
The scrutinous eye of the comedians did nothing but to hold a mirror up to each of them, reflecting cold realty and causing a reevaluation of their lives-just as this show will add value to your own. The ending result is indeed a comedy but it is one that stands out from a river of laughs. Its drama and pain will stick to you and certainly warrant a few conversations of its own. Needless to say, "Schmucks" was more than I had prepared for.
"Schmucks" is running now through Jan. 4. Tickets can be acquired by calling 215-546-7824?or visiting www.wilmatheater.org.
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