See that guy on the couch? That's our friend Frank Ferrante not portraying Groucho Marx, See that lady on him? That's a splendid actress (also, a friend) Dreya Weber. They're currently appearing in Ken Ludwig's play A Comedy of Tenors at the historic Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia. It's there through March 3 and if I could get back there to see it, I would. The whole cast, I hear, is terrific.
Frank also directed this production of Mr. Ludwig's raucous farce comedy. When correctly performed, as the reviews all say it is, it's one of those shows where things happen at such a rapid pace, you're afraid to take your gaze off the stage for two instants. (Ludwig will be part of an onstage talkback after the performance on 2/20.) Boy, would I like to see this…when it's warmer. It's 23° in Philadelphia at the moment.
Don't worry. Frank is not abandoning Groucho for long. He has a day off from the play on 2/25. Anyone else starring in a play that frenetic — playing two roles, in fact — would spend that day sleeping. Frank's throwing sanity to the wind and doing his acclaimed An Evening With Groucho show that night on the same stage. Tickets for both can be procured here.
Like I said, I'd love to see it but I may get no closer than watching this 90-second "sizzle" reel. One assumes the other 5,910 seconds of the play are equally mad…