Ronnie Marmo brings his acclaimed solo show to Canada

Long-running and award-winning one-man show I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce is making its way to Canada at last. The show, which delves into the captivating life and tragic demise of perhaps the most controversial comedic legend of all time, makes its Canadian premiere at Toronto’s Meridian Arts Centre June 21-25, 2023, presented by Teatron Toronto Jewish Theatre. 

Written by and starring Ronnie Marmo, the production offers a poignant exploration of the brilliance and enduring legacy of the complicated man whose audacious and ahead-of-his-time perspectives on sex, religion, and power structures made him a prime target for censors. In fact, Bruce’s unyielding dedication to free speech resulted in multiple charges of obscenity and arrests, with one case even reaching the Illinois Supreme Court. Despite – or perhaps because of – the bruising legal battles, Bruce’s freestyle comedy and irreverent social commentary left an indelible mark on observational comedy, paving the way for Richard Pryor, George Carlin and countless comedians. 

Directed by the Tony- and Emmy-Award winning Joe Mantegna, I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce has garnered acclaim and attention throughout its remarkable journey. This LA Times Critic’s Choice ran for 125 performances in Los Angeles, plus nine full months off-Broadway in New York, and two six-month runs in Chicago. Critics and audiences alike have been captivated by the production, hailing it as a tour-de-force theatrical gem. 

This exploration of Bruce’s life and battles draws not only from his legal struggles in championing the freedom of speech, but also incorporates his original comedic bits, plus insights from his writings. Marmo, the creative force behind the show, masterfully weaves together these elements into a singular experience that brings to vivid life the insightful and comedic brilliance of this groundbreaking comic. Even Bruce’s daughter Kitty has pronounced it “the best portrayal of my father I have ever seen”.

Having starred in more than 60 feature films and television shows, Marmo has been widely recognized as an actor and playwright. His performance in the Italian musical film Ammore E Malavita (Love and Bullets) earned him critical and popular acclaim, including the prestigious David di Donatello Award for Best Picture. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor by the Indie Soap Awards for his role as Crotch in the series, Adults Only. And fans of ABC’s General Hospital well remember his memorable three-year turn as Ronnie Dimestico. Marmo’s work on the stage also spans more than 40 plays, and he serves as the Artistic Director of Theatre 68 in Los Angeles and New York City.

But Marmo just can’t get enough Lenny Bruce. He recently portrayed the legendary comedian in the audiobook of Bruce’s autobiography, How to Talk Dirty and Influence People. And far from slowing down, the opening night of I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce in Toronto will mark the show’s 420th performance. Sesayarts Magazine had the pleasure of speaking with Marmo about his affinity for Bruce, his performance in the solo show, and its unflagging ability – since the moment of its 2017 premiere – to connect audiences with the legendary Bruce. 

Sesayarts: What inspired you to tell Lenny Bruce’s story?

Ronnie Marmo: Over 15 years ago, a wonderful comic named Charlie Brill, who is a dear friend of mine, asked me if I knew who Lenny Bruce was. Of course, I had heard his name but was a bit too young, and he died years before I was born. I grew up more on Richard Pryor and George Carlin. Anyway, he said he had a script that was written for him but that I reminded him of Lenny and he would like me to do it. It was a one-man show called “Lenny‘s Back and Boy Is He Pissed”. So, it took him two years to talk me into it because I was pretty nervous about playing such an icon. After working on the play, I fell in love with Lenny and I realized how much we had in common personally. Years later, I wanted to revisit Lenny’s story, but I wanted to add much more to it so I wrote my own. That was six years ago, and we’ve been running ever since.

Sesayarts: Tell us about the title, I’m Not a Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce. Most people regard Bruce as a comedian…. What would you like audiences to take away from your show about their perception of him?

Ronnie Marmo: Lenny certainly was a stand-up comedian and one of the first comics to get on stage and not have a set routine. But the truth behind the title is that he was so much more than that. Amongst other things, he was also a satirist and a social critic. Lenny tackled issues others weren’t willing to discuss. The taboo topics like satire, politics, religion, sex to name a few. He held a mirror up to society and pointed out the things he had asked himself many times before and genuinely wanted to find answers to.

Sesayarts: The Marvelous Mrs Maisel likely introduced Bruce to a whole new generation of audiences. That said, it is a work of fiction and took lots of liberties. Based on your deep knowledge of the man, what do you feel that the show got right, and what did they fictionalize about him that your show might help to rectify?

Ronnie Marmo: I am beyond grateful that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel had a Lenny Bruce character because it did open up an entire generation to Lenny’s name. I’ve actually only seen a few episodes, so I don’t feel like I’m qualified to discuss what I found accurate or not, but I do know the show is a smash hit, and everyone loved it. I’m thrilled people found Lenny on that show and are thirsting for more information about him. We don’t shy away from anything in regards to his story, and we make sure everyone leaves the theater really knowing the man behind the legend.

Sesayarts: You’ve been performing this show for many years now. What’s the biggest appeal of performing it for you? Any challenges?

Ronnie Marmo: We just celebrated the show running for six years, and Wednesday night in Toronto will be my 420th performance. To do a one-man show about this complicated man is a gift for an actor. There are many challenges but also so very many gifts. 

At the risk of sounding too “actor-y”, whenever I’m able to just open myself up and be a vessel for Lenny’s story and his heart, then it goes pretty well. When I don’t, it’s sometimes a difficult road uphill because it’s a monster of a show to perform. It’s a 90-minute roller coaster of a monologue with many highs and lows. It’s a massive journey and as an actor, I realize how blessed I am to have something like this to do. Something that not just I care about so much, but so many others as well.

Sesayarts: Lenny Bruce did not hold back, to say the least, and was not for every taste. Yet, decades on, he remains a known name. What makes him such an enduring figure, in your opinion?

Ronnie Marmo: The things that Lenny Bruce fought for are many of the same issues we’re still dealing with today. Lenny was the last comic to be arrested on stage for using words. He was charged with obscenity, later convicted and sentenced to four months on Rikers island by the state of New York…. just for using words. 

Lenny ultimately died for the right to free speech which hits incredibly close to home in today’s world, especially if you’re a comedian. Ultimately at the end, Lenny was representing himself in court, and in doing so, he didn’t just affect comedy but also affected the law. 

All that said, I think he would be embarrassed by some of the things we’re still fighting over. In some ways we have progressed and in others we’ve regressed. I think that’s why Lenny still strikes a nerve with so many people based on who he was and what he stood for. 

Even until the very end, Lenny truly believed in the American Legal System. It wasn’t until almost 40 years after his death that he would be vindicated. He was the first and only person to receive a posthumous pardon from the State of New York overturning his conviction. 

When I’m on stage, specifically in those courtroom scenes, I really do feel like I am continuing a fight for Lenny that he didn’t get to finish himself. And I’m proud to do it.

Sesayarts: The final word is yours. What would you like to add?

Ronnie Marmo: I feel like this show is very important and timely right now.

People sometimes think they’re coming to a standup or tribute show. It’s absolutely funny, but it’s also a tragedy. In fact, I like to say, it’s the funniest tragedy you’ll ever see.

I believe so many owe a debt of gratitude to Lenny, and I hope you come out and see the show so you could see how we got to where we are right now. If you like stand-up comedy, if you like the right to say whatever it is you want to say, then come out and learn more about the Godfather of Comedy. I hope to see you at the show!

The exclusive Canadian engagement of I’m Not A Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce is on stage at Meridian Arts Centre until June 25, 2023. Reserve tickets on teatrontheatre.com.

© Arpita Ghosal, Sesayarts Magazine, 2023