[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Theatre 68 is excited to announce a special limited return of I’M NOT A COMEDIAN…I’M LENNY BRUCE September 15 through October 1 at the all new Theatre 68 Arts Complex. Directed by Joe Mantegna, the award-winning show starring Ronnie Marmo as Lenny Bruce, has been such a hit, they are taking the show on tour immediately following the brief return to Los Angeles.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
I’M NOT A COMEDIAN… I’M LENNY BRUCE is approaching its 400th performance! The smash hit ran for 125 performances in L.A., 9 months Off Broadway in NY and two six-month runs in Chicago to massive media attention, critical acclaim and dozens upon dozens of rave reviews. This LA Times’ Critics Choice chronicles the life and death of the most controversial comedian and undisputed legend of all time…Lenny Bruce. His personal pain, sharply funny social commentary and completely original, freestyle comedy left a lasting impact on today’s poetry, politics, music, film and, of course, comedy. His unwavering commitment to, and passion for, free speech led to numerous obscenity charges and arrests. Bruce fought for freedom of speech all the way to the Supreme Court, and died of an accidental overdose in 1966 while out on appeal. Lauded by fans and former friends of Bruce, Marmo’s crowd-shocking portrayal brings the notorious funnyman to life with all the electrifying, insightful and comedic brilliance as the one and only Lenny Bruce himself. The show not only draws from his many court battles championing the freedom of speech but also includes many of Bruce’s original comedic bits and insights from his own writings, masterfully woven together by the show’s creator and star, Ronnie Marmo and expertly directed by Tony Award-winning stage actor, film and television star, Joe Mantegna.
WARNING: Mature Audiences: Brief Nudity!
Special Note: A portion of this shows proceeds will go to the Lenny Bruce Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity. We provide the funds for those who have no insurance or enough money to get treatment for drug and
WHAT THE PRESS AND PEERS ARE SAYING:
“Critic’s Choice” – Los Angeles Times
“Terrific & Amazing” – George Pennacchio, ABC7
“Mesmerizing! Achingly timeless!” – NoHo Arts District
“Breathtaking – Captivating – Gritty – Highly Entertaining” – Tolucan Times
“Funny, touching, tragic…” – Steve Sunshine, EXTRA TV
“He became, I believed!” – Ed Asner
“Wildly impressive and moving…” – Paul Reiser
“Riveting! Stunning!” – Beachcomber Newspaper
“Marmo ably inhabits Bruce’s persona…RECOMMENDED!” – Stage Raw “EXCEPTIONAL…Masterful” – Los Angeles Beat
“Scabrously funny & heartbreakingly poignant.” – Stage Scene LA
“Ronnie Marmo was born to play this role.” – Curtain Up
“Profound, dark and powerfully triumph!” – Gia On The Move
WHAT THE CELEBRITIES ARE SAYING:
“The best portrayal of my father I have ever seen.” – Kitty Bruce (Daughter of Lenny)
“Funny, fierce, tragic…beautifully directed by Joe Mantegna with a strong performance by Ronnie Marmo vividly brings to life the comedian we so miss today.” – Billy Crystal
“A terrific show about a true genius who was ahead of his time. Go see I’m Not A Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce.” – Tony Bennett
“Actor Ronnie Marmo, is a force of volcanic proportions. I was riveted by Ronnie… It had such an impact on me.” – Patti LuPone
“Ronnie Marmo delights as he channels Lenny Bruce. A thoughtful authenticity in performance, direction and script.” – Bonnie Hunt, Actor
“The performance is — to my eye — flawless, by a Brooklynite named Ronnie Marmo.” – Teller, Performer (Penn and Teller)
“’I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce” is superlative in all departments…it’s the tour de force by actor Ronnie Marmo that for me is historic. Lenny’s life pours out of him.” – Richard Lewis, Comedian
THE TEAM
Ronnie Marmo – Playwright and Lenny Bruce
Joe Mantegna – Director
Ronnie Marmo and Theatre 68 – Producers
Matthew Richter – Lighting, Projection and Sound Design
Sandra Kuker PR – Publicist
ABOUT THE TEAM:
RONNIE MARMO – Playwright and Actor
Ronnie Marmo, Actor/Director/Writer/Producer. Marmo is most recently known for his stellar performance in his one-man show, I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce, which he also penned , and is directed by the talented Joe Mantegna. The production is approaching 400 performances between Los Angeles, New York and Chicago and is headed out on a National tour in October. Marmo has produced over 110 plays. Some of his favorites include premieres of the work of some amazing playwrights including: John Patrick Shanley, Sam Shepard, Sam Henry Kass, John Grisham (adapted by Rupert Holmes) and others. Marmo has starred in more than 70 feature films and television shows, including recent guest star roles in Criminal Minds and Lethal Weapon. He also starred in Ammore E Malavita (Love and Bullets), an Italian film which won the David di Donatello for best picture (the Italian equivalent to an Academy Award). Ronnie enjoyed a three-year, 150 episode run on ABC’s General Hospital as Detective Ronnie Dimestico. He has directed and produced over 110 stage plays between Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. Founded in L.A. by Marmo on February 14, 2001, he continues to serve as the proud artistic director of Theatre 68 in Los Angeles and New York City (founded August 29, 2011).
JOE MANTEGNA – Director
Joe was awarded the Tony and Joseph Jefferson Award for his acclaimed performance as Richard Roma in David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Glengarry Glen Ross. Some of Joe’s film and television highlights are; House of Games, Searching for Bobby Fisher, Godfather III, his Emmy and Golden Globe nominated role of Dean Martin in The Ratpack, his Emmy nominated role of Pipi Delana in The Last Don, and the voice of Fat Tony on The Simpsons. For two seasons Joe stared with Mary Steenburgen and Amber Tamblyn in the critically acclaimed CBS drama Joan of Arcadia, winner of the 2004 People Choice Award for best new drama as well as picking up three Emmy nominations. In 2008 Joe reprised his Emmy nominated role of Lou Manahan opposite Debra Messing in USA Network series The Starter Wife. Joe has also lent his voice to the Disney/Pixar film, CARS2 and continues his 23-year run as Fat Tony on The Simpsons. In April of 2011 Joe received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Joe lends much of his free time to a number of philanthropic endeavors. In May of 2012 Joe was appointed the national spokesperson for The U.S. Army Museum, to lead the fundraising campaign to build the long-planned National Museum of the United States Army. He’s also an ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation, which builds homes for wounded veterans. His passions also include various autism related charities as well as being a long-time supporter of the Barbara Sinatra Center for Abused Children.
In 2014 Joe received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for his dedication to the community and craft of acting. Currently Joe stars as FBI Special Agent David Rossi in season 12 of the hit CBS drama Criminal Minds as well as hosting and producing duties for six seasons on Gun Stories for the Outdoor Channel. His newest collaboration is Hollywood Weapons: Fact or Fiction? It premiered April 3rd 2017 on Outdoor Channel.
Joe resides in Los Angeles with his wife of 40 years Arlene, and their two daughters Mia and Gia.
PUBLICIST – SANDRA KUKER PR
Sandra Kuker-Franco is an entertainment industry expert. Her three-decade background in music, film, television and theatre has created a client list of diversity and successful campaigns. Sandra’s experience also includes chartering ships for theme cruises, casting for film and television, as well as reality television, scripted television a documentaries. Highlights include films A World Away by Mark Blanchard and Getting Unstuck by Conscious (Merle Soden). Stage projects include: I’m Not A Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce – Starring Ronnie Marmo, directed by Joe Mantegna, Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground starring Tony winner John Rubinstein, The Elephant Man, My Child Mothers Of War, Voice Lessons starring Laurie Metcalf, French Stewart and Maile Flanagan, Adam Baum & The Jew Movie starring Richard Kind, Sacred Fools Theatre Company and Past Time, Prairie-Oke!, Almost, Maine directed by Marty Papazian, Panic! Productions include: Inspecting Carol, Next To Normal, Little Shop Of Horrors. A Time To Kill by John Grisham, Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies, Crimson Square Theatre Company’s: Dinner With Friends, Live At The Purple Lounge The How And The Why, and Sex With Strangers. Author Bill Ratner of Parenting For The Digital Age, and worked with Retronuvo Media on reality TV and scripted television and documentaries. Sandra works with theatrical clients, authors, and entertainment professionals. Utilizing the strength of personal relationships, alongside social media and traditional PR, promoting events, news releases and individually tailored media positioning for clients centered in entertainment and helps build a branding presence with innovation, integrity and style. www.SandraKukerPR.com