From Dialog: When asked to name great theatre performers, few people think of the Marx Brothers. Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo don’t seem to belong emblazoned on the same list as Barrymore and Olivier.
Yet, their antics – from Groucho’s nonstop patter to Chico’s deadpan delivery to Harpo’s mute brilliance – helped define classic theatre comedy.
And it is because it is a classic comedy that “Animal Crackers” (one of the greatest of the Marx Brothers’ shows) was selected for the fall schedule of performances for the department of theatre and dance, according to director Seth Panitch.