(Tampa Bay, FL) “Say the secret word and divide a $100 dollars.” Just that phrase alone conjures up memories of the comedic icon Groucho Marx from his days as host of “You Bet Your Life” on television. Groucho was already a legendary show business figure when he began his television career in the early 1950’s from his classic Marx Brothers movies made in the 1930’s. This Sunday, February 26, Frank Ferrante will bring his “Evening with Groucho” show to the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center for an afternoon performance as the legendary Groucho Marx.
Frank Ferrante has spent over 25 years portraying Groucho Marx in various stage versions of the comedian’s life story. At 23, Ferrante debuted in off-Broadway’s “Groucho: A Life in Revue” where he played Groucho from the ages of 15 to 85. The New York Times described his work as “artful” and his timing as “digital sharp.” Awards and nominations followed as did a West End run where he was nominated for London’s Laurence Olivier Award. A national PBS broadcast of the show was produced by Frank and picked as a New York Times television highlight.
Over corned beef sandwiches in Manhattan’s Carnegie Deli, Henny Youngman dubbed Frank “better than the original Groucho.” Onstage in London, Albert Finney described Frank’s work as “sheer joy.”
Frank graduated from the University of Southern California in 1985 with a degree from the Division of Drama. He attended La Salle High School in Pasadena, California.
I spoke with Frank Ferrante earlier this week on my radio show. The complete conversation is posted to this article.
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