The largest gathering of Marx Brothers experts, scholars, and fans will take place in Manhattan and Coney Island this May! Over the course of two event-packed weekends, May 17-19 and May 24-26, Marxfest will host talks, performances, walking tours, and fun surprises all inspired by the comedic stylings of Groucho, Chico, Harpo, and Zeppo. Untapped New York Insiders can save 20% off select tickets with an exclusive discount code found on the members-only Facebook page and in the weekly Insiders newsletter!
“The first Marxfest, in 2014, marked the 100th anniversary of the Marx Brothers receiving the nicknames they used throughout their careers,” says Marxfest Committee member and Untapped New York Insider Brett Leveridge. The four brothers, born Leonard, Adolph (later Arthur), Julius Henry, and Herbert were given the names Chico, Harpo, Groucho, and Zeppo by vaudeville monologist Art Fisher during a poker game. “This year, we’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Broadway opening of ‘I’ll Say She Is,’ which was a truly momentous occasion in their careers,” Leveridge continues, “After years of playing vaudeville, it was a big step up in prestige for them and when the critics raved about the show, they became the toast of New York.”
Marxfest was launched in 2014 by a group of seven media and entertainment professionals with a shared love for the Marx Brothers and their fans. It was created by New York author and historian Kevin Fitzpatrick, whose many books include The Algonquin Round Table New York and Under the Table: A Dorothy Parker Cocktail Guide.
Many members of the committee will headline special events at the festival. On the 100th anniversary of the Marx Brothers’ breakthrough play I’ll Say She Is, committee member Noah Diamond (the writer and performer who restored I’ll Say She Is and played the role of Groucho in its first revival) will present an I’ll Say She Is Centennial Experience. Diamond will be joined by Leveridge forThe Marx Brothers on Broadway Walking Tour where guests will stroll down Jazz Age Broadway and visit landmarks of the Brothers’ roaring twenties shows and escapades.
At Coney Island, committee member Jonny Porkpie stars as Groucho in a burlesque tribute to the Marx Brothers featuring Lady Scoutington, as Chico, and Tigger! as Harpo. The show will have a 3-night run and includes appearances by Sideshows By The Seashore alumni Mat Fraser and Miss Coney Islands Gigi Bonbon and Miss Frankie Eleanor, along with more New York City burlesque stars.
Another highlight of the festival will be Unheard Marx Brothers, a presentation of rare audio recordings presented by John Tefteller, a world-renowned collector and sound engineer who worked for Groucho Marx in the 1970s. Both weekends will be full of film screenings, panel discussions, walking tours, mixers, trivia, and more!
Tickets to Marxfest events are available a la carte or you can purchase full day and full weekend tickets. Learn more and grab your tickets here! Untapped New York Insiders can save 20% off Manhattan tickets for Friday Pass, Sunday Pass, Friday and Sunday Combo Pass and the Herring Barrel Revue and the Coney Island Weekend Pass. Find the discount code on the Insiders Facebook Group or the Insiders newsletter!