The subject is the 1928 musical "Animal Crackers," a Marx Brothers vehicle by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind, with music and lyrics by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. Stylishly staged by the Skylight Opera Theater, there is something of a plot to the show - a certain Captain Spaulding, who has been exploring deepest, darkest, most mysterious Africa, has been invited to be honored at the palatial home of Mrs. Rittenhouse, and while there, a valuable sculpture is stolen.
That's all, but what more could you ask for? "Animal Crackers" is a good but not great show, pleasant and entertaining if not particularly memorable. You'll find yourself chuckling, though not splitting a gut. Neither the music nor Pam Kriger's choreography is anything special, but it all leads to some spiffy production numbers, with great openers and closers bookending the two acts.
David Flores as the butler Hives is a haughty fellow who desperately needs a pie in the face (which doesn't happen, darn it!), and gets the first act off to a great start with an opening song/pantomime with the male chorus. The first act ends with the spectacular "Oh By Jingo! Oh! By Gee!" a real party on stage to which everybody's invited. The second act opener, "The Monkey Doodle Doo" is a quartet with the three "Marx Brothers" and Mrs. Rittenhouse that was so good you didn't want it to stop, and the finale is fun too.
In between, everybody has loads of fun hamming it up. Norman Moses morphs Groucho in his role as Captain Spaulding, even capturing his trademark grin under the grease moustache. Ray Jivoff is exquisitely well spoken as The Professor/Harpo, and with the assistance of dancer Sarah Wilbur, glosses over the lack of his traditional harp solo in a way so clever, you'll just have to see it to find out. Mark David Kaplan is terrific as Ravelli/Chico, and in the best performance of the night, Linda Stephens' is Mrs. Rittenhouse/Margaret Dumont, divine as the rich dowager who is both imperious and clueless.
The secondary roles are fun too - this is the musical that gives you TWO romantic subplots, and Benjamin Howes as Jimmy Jamison/Zeppo does what the real Zeppo could never do, make his character interesting as he pursues Arabella Rittenhouse, played with cunning coyness by the luscious Liz Baltes. There's also a pompous French artist (the French can be pompous?), a faux financier, a devious debutante, scantily clad chorus girls, a second act surprise and loads of skits, shorts and sightgags, some funny, some not.
To tell the truth, the script shows it's age. A lot of the old routines, originally derived from vaudeville, still play but others - well, either they're either dead, or my watch has stopped, for they seem to go on forever. Director Bill Theisen has the show polished to a spit-shine, but in the end what saves it from tedium is the talent and enthusiasm of the cast, coming through with the goods in a show where the failure to overact would get them horse-whipped, if there was a horse available.
But, I see that you've got me by the collar and are desperately pleading with me to tell you whether or not you'll like the show.
I'll say (drumroll) - yes. Yes you will.
It's fast paced, loaded with surprises and besides all that I've written above, the show also features an outstanding effort by costumer Barry Link. In the spirit of the 1920's fashions he treats us to, I'll give this show 19 out of a possible 23 skidoos.
"Animal Crackers" plays at the Broadway Theater Center at 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee through December 18. Call (414) 291-7800 for tickets, and be sure to bring a date. After all, you're only as young as the woman you feel.
