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A CurtainUp Review
Animal Crackers
Joey Slotnick in Animal Crackers
(Photo: )
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As it merrily mocks social climbers, nouveau riche, phony artists, and scoop-seeking newshounds, this is pure pre-Depression-era escapism. The paltry plot comes with the territory. Besides, it's just an excuse for John Carrafa's invigorating period choreography, clowning director Paul Kalina's inspired sight gags and some wizard Marx Brothers impersonations by Joey Slotnick's born-again Groucho as Captain Spaulding and Jonathan Brody's dead-on Chico as Emmanuel Ravelli. (Unfortunately, Molly Brennan's Harpo is a deadpan downer.) The supporting roles are equally zany, especially Ora Jones as flakily aristocratic Mrs. Rittenhouse (Margaret Dumont in every clueless second) and Ed Kross as two male ingenues, including the fourth brother Zeppo.
The wonders are the marvelous and surprisingly elaborate tap-dancing production numbers that erupt from set designer Robin Vest's Long Island pleasure palace. "Watching the Clouds Roll By" is Ziegfeld-flamboyant, while the finale spoofs Versailles as only the Marx Brothers could subvert it. Plus these borrowed or original melodies and rousers like "Three Little Words,""Everyone Says I Love You,""Hello, I Must Be Going,""Hooray for Captain Spaulding," and "Long Island Low Down" really are better than what we put up with today.
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Animal Crackers, a musical in two acts Book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind Music and lyrics by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby Adapted and directed by Henry Wishcamper Music direction, additional arrangements and orchestrations by Doug Peck. Choreography by John Carrafa Cast: Joey Slotnick (Capt. Jeffrey T. Spaulding), Jonathan Brody (Emanuel Ravelli), Molly Brennan (The Professor),Ed Kross, Roscoe W. Chandler (John Parker, Horatio Jamison), Stanley Wayne Mathis (Hives) , Arabella Rittenhouse, (Mrs. Rittenhouse), Mara Davi (Mrs. Whitehead), Tony Yazbeck (Wally Winston, M. Doucet), Jessie Mueller (Grace Carpenter, Mary Stewart) Sets: Robin Vest Costumes: Jenny Mannis Lighting: Matthew Richards Sound: Richard Woodbury ; Clowning direction:, Paul Kalina Stage manager: Joseph Drummond From 9/28/09; closing 10/25/09 Running time: 2 HOURS, 35 MIN. Goodman Theater 170 N. Dearborn in Chicago Reviewed by Larry Bommer 9/30/09 |
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Guide to links to help Chicago visitors and locals alike find what to do, where to stay and eat.
Chicago Subway Finder & Other Information
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