One Man’s Fight for the First Amendment

I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce – Theatre 68

Talented playwright and actor Ronnie Marmo brings to Chicago his heartfelt tribute to the man he calls The Godfather of Comedy. The 90-minute one-act, once again directed here by Tony and Jeff Award-winner, Joe Mantegna, has already enjoyed a successful run Off-Broadway. Marmo’s loving, respectful portrait of this controversial standup comic, famous for his obscenity-laced routines during the 1950’s and 1960’s, both provokes laughter while it stirs the emotions. The reason is that Lenny Bruce always brought the real passion and pain of his personal life into his stage act.

When Lenny Bruce’s work first was seen and heard, he made a  great impact upon comedy, television, music, film and plays. He began a trend of examining and indiscriminately poking fun at every aspect of our society. Bruce believed in an American’s Freedom of Speech and, as such, said precisely what was on his mind, completely unfiltered and uncensored. Despite numerous obscenity charges and arrests, the comic gained great popularity with his public. His record albums, usually recorded live during his standup act, brought Lenny Bruce’s humor to everyone. The comic is also credited for influencing and clearing the way for such later comics as Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Sarah Silverman and Bill Maher. Lenny Bruce, as Ronnie Marmo proves, is still very much a man for today. In an era when only the President and his followers seem to be allowed to speak their minds, Lenny Bruce would be a welcome champion of the everyday man during the 21st century. In this light, Ronnie Marmo’s timely, 90-minute tribute is an exciting reminder of how our rights are, once again, being quashed. In this one man’s fight for the First Amendment we witness an unsung hero.

Ronnie Marmo has created a script for himself that showcases his admiration for its source. It’s also beautifully suited to Mr. Marmo’s own talents. The series of excerpts from Bruce’s life and comedy routines provide just enough details for theatergoers to form a well-rounded impression of a man who was tortured by his own life. Marmo, quite literally, bares himself to play this iconic character. When the show opens, we are reminded that Lenny Bruce was found naked on a toilet in his hotel room, having (supposedly) killed himself with an overdose of heroin. Mr. Marmo then dresses and proceeds to tell Lenny Bruce’s story, from childhood to his final moments. Beautifully directed by the great Joe Mantegna, this one-man show is quite an astonishing, monumental tour de force that will not soon be forgotten.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas  

Presented in an open-ended run by Theatre 68 and The Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 312-988-9000 or go to www.ticketmaster.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.