Witticism, jests, laughter and humor come to the Marian Gallaway Theater tonight in a madcap 1930s comedy, “Animal Crackers.”
Based on the original Marx Brothers’ film, “Animal Crackers” takes the audience to a party at Mrs. Rittenhouse’s weekend home, in honor of the return of the African jungle explorer, Captain Spaulding. There is a sudden uproar when Mrs. Rittenhouse’s priceless oil painting goes missing. The characters then begin an investigation of the art theft.
Tommy Walker, a junior majoring in theatre and English who plays Chico Marx’s character Signor Emanuel Ravelli, is impressed at the excellent collaborative work the actors perform on the stage each night.
“The dynamic talent and professionalism has kept the process nothing but efficient, rewarding and hilarious,” Walker said. “Each night someone brings something more to the table that drives us all to work harder to top it the next night.”
Caroline Schmidt, a senior majoring in theatre, said her role portraying Harpo Marx’s character, The Professor, was a challenging yet rewarding experience. Schmidt’s character speaks only through physical motions because The Professor is silent throughout most of the show.
“He doesn’t speak until the very end,” Schmidt said. “It’s fun. I’m focusing on physical comedy.”
The actors place importance on the acting technique “schtick.” Schtick, described by Schmidt, is a mimicking technique that transposes the film to the stage. Schmidt said she spent hours outside of rehearsal watching the comedy of Harpo Marx to get down his perfected skill of prop and physical comedy.
“It’s cool to have an iconic character who is brilliant,” Schmidt said. “It’s also cool to put my flare and personality into it as well.”
Walker has also been challenged with the achievement of details Chico Marx incorporates in the character Ravelli.
“Getting Chico’s physicality, accent and wackiness was both tedious and enormously fun,” Walker said.
Matt Lewis, a third-year graduate student in fine arts, said his role as Groucho Marx’s character, Captain Spaulding, gave him a different experience and allowed him to create his own spin on the character.
“This role is unique in that I’m modeling my performance on Groucho Marx but also extending and exaggerating certain traits of his to make him ‘large’ enough for the stage,” Lewis said.
Although the rehearsal schedule has been demanding, Lewis said it has been efficient and well done. The actors rehearse four hours a night, six days a week for five weeks.
“The schedule is broken down as specifically as possible so that no one is ever asked to come in without reason,” Lewis said.
“Animal Crackers” was put together in five weeks.
“Getting the timing of jokes and the physical comedy to land has been almost sport-like,” Walker said. “We basically have to get the comic timing in our muscle memory, but once we establish it, we delve into the joy of it.”
Director Seth Panitch chose “Animal Crackers” because it was a new style of comedy for the University’s theatre program. Panitch said he believed the theatrical comedy would benefit the training of the students.
The puns, physical comedy and disorder starts tonight running from Monday, Oct. 10 through Saturday, Oct. 15, with shows starting at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct.16, there will be another performance starting at 2:30 p.m.
If You Go
What: Anima Crackers
When: Oct. 10 – Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 16 at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Marian Gallway Theatre
Cost: $12 for students, $15 for faculty, staff and seniors, $18 for adults
