Episode 92: N.Y. a Duck? (The MBCP Live)

*Walking and talking: Bob, Noah, and Matthew on the streets of New York City*

Well, we did it!

If you were with us in person last weekend, then you don’t need me to tell you that it was an extraordinary time filled with friends, laughter, and Marxian adventures. But if you weren’t able to show up in person for the first-ever Marx Brothers Council Podcast live event, then we have some good news for you: this episode will make you feel like you’re there, at least for the main event.

What made all of this possible was the long-deferred arrival of Matthew Coniam on American soil; longtime listeners will recall that this was attempted in 2020 but derailed by the pandemic. But this time, Matthew actually did arrive, and a large crowd of Marx Brothers fans proceeded to enjoy an extremely pleasant, hilarious weekend.

The fun began on Saturday with the “Marx Brothers on Broadway” walking tour, led by friend of the show Brett Leveridge and me, in which we explored the midtown theatre district and beheld such sights as the Algonquin Hotel, Shubert Alley, and the Palace Theatre. After the tour, a smaller group headed uptown, where we stood on hallowed ground outside 179 East 93rd Street, and Matthew posed for photographs on what used to be the Marx boys’ stoop.

On Sunday came the big party we’d been trying to throw for years. The Museum of the Moving Image was always the obvious, ideal venue for a MBCP event, as it coexists with the Kaufman-Astoria Studio, where the Marx Brothers made The Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers. So we decided to screen Horse Feathers. What a pleasure to see it in that particular company. The movie absolutely killed.

Following the film, we took to the stage and recorded the podcast episode you’re about to hear. It was a thrill to do one of these with a live audience, and with Bob and Matthew sitting beside me, rather than in little boxes on my monitor. Our special guests were two returning champions. Craig Shemin, president of the Jim Henson Legacy and guest on Episode 67: Of Muppets and Marxes, was responsible for getting this event booked at MoMI and making it all happen. He joined us onstage to talk about the history of the venue and the studio, and the Marx Brothers’ time there. And Cinco Paul, the great screenwriter and songwriter who appeared on Episode 5: One of Our Own Compositions By Cinco Paul and Episode 58: Acid Reflux, joined us to discuss his Broadway debut and connections with the Marxes. He even sang to us. Cinco’s musical Schmigadoon!, based on his brilliant television series of the same title, is about to open on Broadway. I have my tickets! Do you?

*Matthew at 179 East 93rd Street, childhood home of the Marx Brothers*

So, one more time, thank you, to everyone who attended this event, and to everyone who helped make it possible. We had a wonderful weekend, and this was it.

And whether you were there in person or not, we hope you enjoy this instant favorite episode.

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Official description: “Matthew joins us in New York City for our first-ever episode in front of a live audience, recorded at the Museum of the Moving Image—just steps from the Kaufman-Astoria Studio, where the Marxes filmed their first two movies.

*In conversation with Cinco Paul at the Museum of the Moving Image*

“We kick things off with a quick dive into Horse Feathers (because The Cocoanuts or Animal Crackers felt a little too obvious), before welcoming Craig Shemin for a look at the studio’s ongoing history. We take some questions from the audience, and are then joined by the great Cinco Paul, whose Schmigadoon! is about to premiere on Broadway. Finally, we make a special announcement about an upcoming project before Cinco serenades us with a closing song.”

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Episode 91: Whatever Will B. Johnstone (featuring Meg Farrell)