A lot of my work is about the Marx Brothers.
Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo
have been my heroes since childhood, and my work
is partly a celebration of their work.
This page is a guide to some of my Marxian projects.
I’ll Say She Is and Gimme a Thrill
My biggest contribution to the world of the Marx Brothers is the revival of their 1924 musical I’ll Say She Is. After years of research, I restored and adapted the show’s book and lyrics, and played the role of Groucho, at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2014 and Off Broadway at the Connelly Theater in 2016. Gimme a Thrill is my book about the show’s history. Learn more about the revival, read a chapter of the book, and get your copy at illsaysheis.com.
Matt Roper, Noah Diamond, Seth Shelden, and Allison Jane in I’ll Say She Is at the Connelly Theater, 2016. Photo by Mark X. Hopkins.
“Noah Diamond plays Groucho, and he might as well be Groucho.” — The New York Times
“Diamond’s Groucho is genuinely uncanny, capturing the subtle truth of Groucho’s voice.” — The New Yorker
GROUCHO PERFORMANCES
I have a long history of assuming the role of Groucho Marx, on and off the stage. In addition to my work in I’ll Say She Is, I’ve donned the greasepaint for productions of Animal Crackers, Groucho on the Air, Music of the Marx Brothers at 54 Below, Groucho Marx: Wish You Were Here at the Jewish Museum, and countless nightclub and cabaret appearances. There’s more about my work as a Groucho here.
THE MARX BROTHERS COUNCIL PODCAST
Since 2018, I’ve been heard monthly on the greatest Marx Brothers podcast in the history of the world, along with my cohost Matthew Coniam and our producer and editor Bob Gassel. It’s available for free wherever you get your podcasts, but if you support the show via Patreon you’ll receive exclusive bonus segments, postcards, and other treasures. For more information and a complete episode guide, visit the MBCP site.
THE FREEDONIA MARXONIA TRILOGY
In 2017, I was the guest speaker at Freedonia Marxonia, an annual Marx Brothers festival held in the town on Fredonia, New York. I presented my “illustrated lecture” The Marx Brothers on Broadway. When the festival switched to a virtual format during the early pandemic years, FM’s coordinator Cindy Yochym invited me to create three streaming programs: Home Again: The Marx Brothers and New York City (2020), There’s Nothing Like Liberty: The Marx Brothers and America (2021), and If You Get Near a Song, Play It: The Marx Brothers and Music (2022). Together, these presentations represent some of my favorite Marxian work, and they contain surprises and revelations that are still being discussed. All three are available to watch, for free, anytime.
MARXFEST
I'm a founding member of the Marxfest Committee, organizers and producers of fine Marx Brothers events in New York City — including the recent smash Marxfest 2024 as well as the original, month-long Marxfest in 2014 and the Marx Brothers Weekend on Governors Island in 2017.
Trav S.D., Kathy Biehl, Brett Leveridge, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Noah Diamond, and Jonny Porkpie — most of the Marxfest Committee (not pictured: Janet Heit). Photo by Janet Dray.
EVEN MORE
"Tillo Marx," my Marxist interpretation of The New Yorker mascot Eustace Tilly, was printed in the magazine's 85th anniversary issue. A print of "Tillo" resided in the personal collection of Groucho’s daughter, Miriam Marx.