Theatre 68’s “I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce,” with Ronnie Marmo/Photo: Doren Sorell
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Your first glimpse of Lenny Bruce is of him on the toilet, buck-naked and dead. A voiceover explains how he got to be this way. Honestly, it is a hell of a way to begin a play, but “I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce” (written and performed by Ronnie Marmo and directed by Joe Mantegna) transcends the biopic genre like Lenny outclassed the role of comedian. Not content to just make people laugh, Lenny Bruce was a shock comic who reveled in the profane while all the time preserving his intellectual swagger. Performed on stage here are several of Lenny Bruce’s most famous bits, including riffs on why we condone the word “son-of-a-bitch” but not “motherfucker.” He also enjoyed exploring the inherent hypocrisy of all religions. This was the line of public inquiry that landed Lenny Bruce in big legal trouble.
Ronnie Marmo puts in a truly fearless performance as Lenny Bruce. Vulnerable when need be, Marmo captures Lenny Bruce’s natural charm and charisma that turned even the most casual line into a riotous sendup. At the same time, Marmo’s vision of Lenny Bruce is far more nuanced than the flimsy fictional versions offered up in works such as “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (where he is a downright cuddly voice of worldly wisdom) or in Don DeLillo’s “Underworld” (with a crazed Lenny Bruce occasionally popping up to scream “We’re all going to die!”). Here Lenny Bruce is a compassionate, but deeply flawed performer beaten down for his art. Naïve too, he never appears to fully comprehend what exactly it is he is up against, which helps fuel his tragic spiral downward. That Lenny Bruce would choose to escape this pain through drugs is tragic but also understandable.
“I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce” entertains on multiple levels in large part due to the masterful performance by Marmo. This is not the first time he has graced Chicago with his vision of Lenny Bruce. But in case it is his last time doing so, I highly recommend you make it to Lincoln Park. Because Lenny Bruce is still the doctor we need for this very sick world.
“I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce” by Theatre 68 is on stage at Victory Gardens, 2433 North Lincoln, through April 14. Tickets are $69-$79; available at victorygardens.org.
