Flywheel, Shyster, & Flywheel is the priceless comedy show that introduced The Marx Brothers on NBC Radio in 1932. The series depicts the misadventures of a small law firm, with Groucho as the wisecracking attorney Waldorf T. Flywheel and Chico as Flywheel's ne'er-do-well assistant, Emmanuel Ravelli. Since these broadcasts were aired in the days before radio shows were recorded, the crazy shenanigans and classic hijinks were lost. In 1988, however, 25 of the 26 lost scripts were rediscovered in storage at the Library of Congress and republished. Now, these shows are brought back to life for the first time in decades. Created by young writers Nat Perrin and Arthur Sheekman, who also worked on the scripts for the classic Marx Brothers comedies, Monkey Business and Horse Feathers, audiences of all ages will delight in this fun, laugh-out-loud side-splitter. Produced by Scott Perrin, the show is presented by a talented cast: Ron MacCloskey, Rachel MacCloskey, Michael Jarmus, and Michael Townsend Wright.
About the Cast
Michael Jarmus (Various Characters) is a broadcaster, actor and voice performer who has appeared on stage and in several films, including Vietnam's Best Foreign Language entry in last year's Academy Awards. He has been heard as a radio host as well as on radio and television commercials, audio books, corporate narrations and as the voices of characters in numerous video games.
Ron MacCloskey (Groucho Marx) has toured as a clown with the Clyde Beatty Cole Brothers Circus and appeared on HBO, Entertainment Tonight, and on ABC's The Next Best Thing. Ron has played Groucho Marx on more numerous occasions to mention and even performed as The Marx Brothers' father in a revival of Minnie's Boys. Ron has appeared on cable television as Groucho for a remake of the TV game show You Bet Your Life, and on an original game show, Lucky Guess, which ran for several years and which is now preparing for syndication.
Francesca Tedeschi (Miss Dimple) is a freelance performance artist. Francesca's first stage experiences were at the Metropolitan Opera House as a soprano in the children's chorus, which also brought her to Carnegie Hall as a vocalist by age 11. She attended Manhattan School of Music Prep and Sarah Lawrence College, where she graduated in 2008 with a B.A. in music and philosophy. Francesca continues to work in several media, as a commercial and editorial model, film and stage actress, vocalist, recording and live musician.
Michael Townsend Wright (Chico Marx) has appeared on television, in films and on the New York stage. Michael has appeared in the films The Rat Pack, Lansky, Bittersweet Place and as the lead character in The Life and Times of Charlie Putz. He played Eddie Foy in the NY Fringe Festival Production of The Seven Little Foys. He was a long time member of the cast of New Jersey's Uncle Floyd Show.
Scott Perrin (Producer) is the producer of the Off-Broadway hit shows, The Flying Karamazov Brothers, Our Sinatra, and Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know: one of the 10 longest-running Off-Broadway musicals. Scott has been involved in the creation of two dozen musicals on Broadway and in London and created the critically-acclaimed, fifteen-show, seven-year series of musical revues at Rainbow & Stars, the cabaret at The Rainbow Room restaurant and on tour saluting the American songbook including Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hart, George & Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Jule Styne, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, Leonard Bernstein, the R&B era and 20th Century Pop. These productions were hailed by The New York Times as "The best revues in New York in years." Scott's Rodgers & Hammerstein revue, A Grand Night for Singing, moved to Broadway and received two Tony Award nominations including Best Musical. Scott is also the Founder of The Event Office, which has created hundreds of special events from elegant, black-tie fundraising galas to Bill Clinton's presidential inauguration to celebrations surrounding The Grammy Awards to introductions by the United States Post Office, and many other special occasions. Scott and his team at The Event Office coordinate a full schedule of elegant, society fundraising events each season. Scott grew up in the event and entertainment industry as the son of legendary orchestra leader and pianist Forrest Perrin and comedy writer (Laugh-In, Ruth Buzzi, etc.) Lesley Davison.
Performance Information
Part of Cape May Stage's acclaimed Second Stage Series, Flywheel, Shyster, & Flywheel: The Marx Brothers Lost Radio Show will run Monday, May 21st at 8 p.m. at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank & Lafayette Streets in downtown Cape May. Tickets are $20. Call (609) 884-1341 for reservations and information or visit the theatre's website, www.capemaystage.org.
Cape May Stage's Second Stage Series is presented through the gracious support of Chris and Dave Clemans.
