‘I’m Not a Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce’ Comes to The Suffolk

On Thursday, July 17, at 8 p.m., The Suffolk will present “I’m Not a Comedian … I’m Lenny Bruce,” a play written by and Starring Ronnie Marmo and directed by Joe Mantegna. Stick around after the show for a talkback with Ronnie Marmo.

Witness the raw brilliance of Marmo as he chronicles the life, death and legacy of the controversial comedian Lenny Bruce in a performance that’s leaving audiences speechless and critics raving.

An undisputed comic legend, Lenny Bruce was one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. His life and work have had an impact on poetry, politics, music, film and of course, comedy. Bruce’s tempestuous personal and professional life was marked by great passion and great pain. His unwavering commitment to free speech led to numerous obscenity charges and arrests. Bruce fought for freedom of speech all the way to the Supreme Court. He died of an accidental overdose in 1966, while out on appeal. Bruce has not yet been surpassed at his particular brand of art and if he were around today, he would be in as much trouble as when he was alive.

Ronnie Marmo is an acclaimed playwright, director, actor and producer who has starred in more than 80 feature films and television shows. On stage, he has starred in more than 50 plays. Marmo voiced the audiobook in which he portrays Lenny Bruce in Lenny’s autobiography, “How to Talk Dirty and Influence People.” He has served as the artistic director of Theatre 68 in Los Angeles and New York City for the last 24 years.

Joe Mantegna was awarded the Tony and Joseph Jefferson Award for his acclaimed performance as Richard Roma in David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Glengarry Glen Ross.” Currently Mantegna stars as FBI Special Agent David Rossi in season 13 of the hit CBS Drama “Criminal Minds” and continues his hosting and producing duties for six seasons on “Gun Stories” for the Outdoor Channel. His newest collaboration is “Hollywood Weapons: Fact or Fiction?” Mantegna resides in Los Angeles with his wife of 40 years, Arlene and their two daughters, Mia and Gia.

Tickets for the show are $50 to $90 at thesuffolk.org. the Suffolk is at 118 East Main Street in Riverhead.