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Animal Crackers

Presented by The Lyric Stage Company of Boston at The Lyric Stage Company

May 6-June 4, 2011

Avg. Event Rating (3.4 Stars):
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Book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind
Music & Lyrics by Bert Kalmar and Harry Buby
Adapted by Henry Wishcamper

Directed by Elliot Norton Award winner Spiro Veloudos
Musical Direction by Jonathan Goldberg

Hilarity ensues in this classic Marx Brothers musical when Mrs. Rittenhouse's swanky house party honoring the African explorer Captain Spaulding is interrupted by the pilfering of a prominent painting. Screwball antics arise as the guests search for the thief, resulting in the "uproarious slapstick comedy"(The New York Times). An adaptation of the original Broadway hit and classic film that was a recent hit for the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, this "madcap musical"(Chicago Tribune) features favorite songs including "Three Little Words" and others. Hooray for Captain Spaulding!

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    The Lyric Stage Company

    140 Clarendon Street
    Boston, MA 02116

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Tickets:

    Tickets are $25-$56, senior discounts and student rush available

    Info Phone: 617-585-5678

    Email

  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    May 6-June 4, 2011

    Times:
    

    Wednesday & Thursday: 7:30pm
    Friday: 8:00
    Saturday: 3:00pm & 8:00pm
    Sunday: 3:00pm

    Wednesday Matinees, May 11 & June 1: 2:00pm

  • Accessibility Info

    

  • Video & Image Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "Great end to Lyric's season"
      Review posted by: William Cornwell from Salem, MA, Jun 13, 2011
      

      What a wonderful revival of this classic musical comedy. I was so impressed by Ed Hoopman in the role of Groucho--it was as if Groucho had come back to life. Hoopman had Groucho's voice, facial... Expand

      What a wonderful revival of this classic musical comedy. I was so impressed by Ed Hoopman in the role of Groucho--it was as if Groucho had come back to life. Hoopman had Groucho's voice, facial expressions, and body language down cold. The Harpo and Chico impersonators were less convincing--indeed, casting a female for Harpo was a bit distracting. Nonetheless, the zany spirit of the comedy was irresistable, and the song and dance routines charmed everyone in the audience. Like most of those old musicals, the plot doesn't make a lot of sense--the focus is on the comedy and the music, and this production delivers on that score. Full disclosure: I love the Marx Brothers and was predisposed to like the show, but I went with someone who hadn't seen the Marx Brothers films, and she loved the show too. Collapse

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "Not Groucho, but High Marx"
      Comment posted by: Andrew Horn from Cambridge, MA, Jun 13, 2011
      

      I spent much of Act I trying to forget Harpo and Chico, and spent all of Act II enjoying myself immensely.

      I spent much of Act I trying to forget Harpo and Chico, and spent all of Act II enjoying myself immensely.

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "Tasty Crackers"
      Comment posted by: Elaine from Jamaica Plain, MA, Jun 13, 2011
      

      I had seen the play and thought it was good enough to give these tickets as a gift. I think, however, that it is dated and a bit draggy in places. Groucho makes it all worthwhile (assuming one has... Expand

      I had seen the play and thought it was good enough to give these tickets as a gift. I think, however, that it is dated and a bit draggy in places. Groucho makes it all worthwhile (assuming one has memories of him). Collapse

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "Fresh Performance, Tired Material"
      Review posted by: Lenny B from Boston, MA, May 23, 2011
      

      The performers were great. However, the tired old jokes just don't work any more. This material is 80 years old or so. I will say, though, there were many older patrons who were laughing up a storm... Expand

      The performers were great. However, the tired old jokes just don't work any more. This material is 80 years old or so. I will say, though, there were many older patrons who were laughing up a storm and having a ball. So, maybe it's an age thing. Anyway, the singing, the acting, and all the characters were well done. Collapse

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "animal crackers"
      Review posted by: paul oates from watertown, MA, May 23, 2011
      

      It was a fun show. It took me back to my childhood and the old Groucho Marx television show "You Bet Your Life". Zany and enjoyable

      It was a fun show. It took me back to my childhood and the old Groucho Marx television show "You Bet Your Life". Zany and enjoyable

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "Not what i expected"
      Review posted by: WG from Boston, MA USA, May 23, 2011
      

      I was looking for a funny show to go and enjoy that night. I can say that the actors are good but the story, the dialogues and the characters where not very interesting and the funny parts were too... Expand

      I was looking for a funny show to go and enjoy that night. I can say that the actors are good but the story, the dialogues and the characters where not very interesting and the funny parts were too few to enjoy it. In the end it felt like it would never end (cleary not having fun). I was actually very dissapointed. Collapse

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "An enjoyable show."
      Review posted by: J.Joy from Andover, MA, May 23, 2011
      

      This was a fun show, featuring an excellent cast. The three actors portraying the Marx Brothers were the best part of the show. But there was too much filler in the form of boring, corny,... Expand

      This was a fun show, featuring an excellent cast. The three actors portraying the Marx Brothers were the best part of the show. But there was too much filler in the form of boring, corny, forgettable love songs. Collapse

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "Laugh out loud fun!"
      Review posted by: Susan from Waban from Waban, MA, May 23, 2011
      

      I wanted to spend Mother's Day laughing with my family so off to the Lyric Stage we went! Groucho was spot on! Cast was energetic and talented. Loved the character changes. Love the small... Expand

      I wanted to spend Mother's Day laughing with my family so off to the Lyric Stage we went! Groucho was spot on! Cast was energetic and talented. Loved the character changes. Love the small venue. A MUST see!!!! Collapse

• Media
  Gallery

  • All Media Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "Great end to Lyric's season"
      Review posted by: William Cornwell from Salem, MA, Jun 13, 2011
      

      What a wonderful revival of this classic musical comedy. I was so impressed by Ed Hoopman in the role of Groucho--it was as if Groucho had come back to life. Hoopman had Groucho's voice, facial... Expand

      What a wonderful revival of this classic musical comedy. I was so impressed by Ed Hoopman in the role of Groucho--it was as if Groucho had come back to life. Hoopman had Groucho's voice, facial expressions, and body language down cold. The Harpo and Chico impersonators were less convincing--indeed, casting a female for Harpo was a bit distracting. Nonetheless, the zany spirit of the comedy was irresistable, and the song and dance routines charmed everyone in the audience. Like most of those old musicals, the plot doesn't make a lot of sense--the focus is on the comedy and the music, and this production delivers on that score. Full disclosure: I love the Marx Brothers and was predisposed to like the show, but I went with someone who hadn't seen the Marx Brothers films, and she loved the show too. Collapse

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "Not Groucho, but High Marx"
      Comment posted by: Andrew Horn from Cambridge, MA, Jun 13, 2011
      

      I spent much of Act I trying to forget Harpo and Chico, and spent all of Act II enjoying myself immensely.

      I spent much of Act I trying to forget Harpo and Chico, and spent all of Act II enjoying myself immensely.

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "Tasty Crackers"
      Comment posted by: Elaine from Jamaica Plain, MA, Jun 13, 2011
      

      I had seen the play and thought it was good enough to give these tickets as a gift. I think, however, that it is dated and a bit draggy in places. Groucho makes it all worthwhile (assuming one has... Expand

      I had seen the play and thought it was good enough to give these tickets as a gift. I think, however, that it is dated and a bit draggy in places. Groucho makes it all worthwhile (assuming one has memories of him). Collapse

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "Fresh Performance, Tired Material"
      Review posted by: Lenny B from Boston, MA, May 23, 2011
      

      The performers were great. However, the tired old jokes just don't work any more. This material is 80 years old or so. I will say, though, there were many older patrons who were laughing up a storm... Expand

      The performers were great. However, the tired old jokes just don't work any more. This material is 80 years old or so. I will say, though, there were many older patrons who were laughing up a storm and having a ball. So, maybe it's an age thing. Anyway, the singing, the acting, and all the characters were well done. Collapse

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "animal crackers"
      Review posted by: paul oates from watertown, MA, May 23, 2011
      

      It was a fun show. It took me back to my childhood and the old Groucho Marx television show "You Bet Your Life". Zany and enjoyable

      It was a fun show. It took me back to my childhood and the old Groucho Marx television show "You Bet Your Life". Zany and enjoyable

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "Not what i expected"
      Review posted by: WG from Boston, MA USA, May 23, 2011
      

      I was looking for a funny show to go and enjoy that night. I can say that the actors are good but the story, the dialogues and the characters where not very interesting and the funny parts were too... Expand

      I was looking for a funny show to go and enjoy that night. I can say that the actors are good but the story, the dialogues and the characters where not very interesting and the funny parts were too few to enjoy it. In the end it felt like it would never end (cleary not having fun). I was actually very dissapointed. Collapse

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "An enjoyable show."
      Review posted by: J.Joy from Andover, MA, May 23, 2011
      

      This was a fun show, featuring an excellent cast. The three actors portraying the Marx Brothers were the best part of the show. But there was too much filler in the form of boring, corny,... Expand

      This was a fun show, featuring an excellent cast. The three actors portraying the Marx Brothers were the best part of the show. But there was too much filler in the form of boring, corny, forgettable love songs. Collapse

    • Event Name: Animal Crackers
      "Laugh out loud fun!"
      Review posted by: Susan from Waban from Waban, MA, May 23, 2011
      

      I wanted to spend Mother's Day laughing with my family so off to the Lyric Stage we went! Groucho was spot on! Cast was energetic and talented. Loved the character changes. Love the small... Expand

      I wanted to spend Mother's Day laughing with my family so off to the Lyric Stage we went! Groucho was spot on! Cast was energetic and talented. Loved the character changes. Love the small venue. A MUST see!!!! Collapse

• Media
  Reviews

  • Media Reviews

    There are currently no media reviews for this event.