Need a good laugh? New Goodman production won't disappoint

Sometimes there is nothing like a good comedy to chase the blues away.

Certainly that was the case way back in 1928, when the hottest four-member comedy team on Broadway, The Marx Brothers, appeared in George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind's intentionally silly play, Animal Crackers.

And it's the case in The Goodman Theatre's high spirited revival (running through Oct. 24), starring four gloriously funny, spot-on Groucho, Chico, Harpo, and Zeppo impersonators (in order - Joey Slotnick, Jonathan Brody, Molly Brennan, and Ed Kross).

The imitations, alone, could carry the show. Brody and Brennan, respectively, capture the essence of Chico and Harpo. And Slotnick's Groucho is nothing short of astonishing. What a pleasure it is to watch these three, plus Zeppo, recreate classic Marx Brothers routines.

Again, Slotnick's take on Captain Spaulding's entrance at the top of the show rivals Groucho's own performance in the 1930 film version of the play. Though he would not half as good if he didn't have a fine actor like Ora Jones, in the long suffering Margaret Dumont role, to play off of.

But director Henry Wishcamper is clearly out for more than just an evening of Marx Brothers impersonations. Or else he wouldn't have spent so much time and money packing this production to the gills with singing and dancing, wonderful costumes and a brilliant set.

The plot is typical 1920s fluff, full of thwarted love, scheming nasty people, and the mysterious theft of a valuable painting. The plot only exists as an excuse to allow the singers to sing, the lovers to fight or make up, and comedians to wring laughs out of the situation.

All of which happens, at double speed, in Wishcamper's fast paced production. Indeed, not a minute goes by in this relentlessly entertaining show when the audiences isn't being awed by the spectacle, or astonished by the breakneck comic mayhem, or moved by one of the shows several love duets (the show features not one but two romantic couples).

As if that isn't astonishing enough, this fine show is suitable for the whole family. I took my 8-year-old to see if the show and her high pitched giggles could be heard throughout the theater opening night. After the show she complained about the romantic scenes ("Too much kissing, Dad.") but then asked, on the way back to the car, if we could see the show again.

I wouldn't mind seeing it again myself, in part because the show was so dang entertaining, and in part because the show is the perfect antidote to all those long, dark, depressing serious shows I have had to see over the years.

If anyone claims they don't make comedies like they used to, tell them they are wrong. And then send them to the Goodman Theatre.