Las Vegas, Nev. - Julian Barry's "Lenny," a play based on the life and words of the legendary comedian Lenny Bruce (1925-1966), opens at 8 p.m. on Friday, February 6 in the Judy Bayley Theatre as part of Nevada Conservatory Theatre's 2003-2004 Season.
The play contains strong adult language, adult situations, and scenes with male and female full-frontal nudity.
Bruce was a revolutionary comic who changed the face of comedy forever. He frequently used social commentary, lewd material, and pointed personal monologues to address issues of sex, race, and religion, often using profanity. His comedy infuriated some and was praised by others for its raw intelligence and honesty.
Bruce faced obscenity charges on numerous occasions, but a word he used in 1961 in his act at the San Francisco Jazz Workshop that was considered an obscenity at that time, was used without a problem in the 1980s by Meryl Streep in the movie "Sophie's Choice" for which she won an Academy Award. Last month, two days before Christmas and 37 years after his death, Bruce received a posthumous pardon from the Governor of New York for his obscenity conviction in 1964 as "a declaration of New York's commitment to upholding the First Amendment."
Barry's 1971 play is directed by Jeffrey Koep, dean of the College of Fine Arts at UNLV. Josh Kleinmuntz, an Equity actor from New York, will make his Las Vegas debut in the role of Lenny Bruce. Kleinmuntz has been seen on television in recurring roles on "Law and Order." Film credits include "Round Numbers" with Kate Mulgrew, Christopher Durang's "Wanda's Visit," and upcoming films "Memorial Day" and "Remote." Michaela Goodman, who played Lady Macbeth last fall, will play Bruce's wife Rusty, a striptease artist by whom he had one child.
Others in the cast include Stella Baldaustkas, Sheila Bledsoe, Maggie Chapin, Regan Cooley, Melony Franchini, April Kidwell, Florence Luckett, Kourtenaye Monroe, Meredith Stringfellow, Corey Corpodian, Paul Finocchiaro, Federico Flores, Adam Graham, Taylor Hanes, Karl Hart, Val Kolar, Cesar Lazcano, Nicholas Murphy, Kris Pruett, John Slocum, Steve Trzaska, Joseph Watkins, Tywayne Wheatt, Joe Wheeler, Bryan Wiederholt, and Pavel Wonsowicz.
The set is designed by Jeff Fiala, with costumes by Bernadette Vallejo-Michaels, and lighting by Brackley Frayer.
Performances are February 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14 at 8 p.m. with matinees at 2 p.m. on February 8 and 15. Tickets are $25 and on sale at the Performing Arts Center Box Office located in the southeast corner of the parking garage. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and may be reached by calling 895-ARTS (2787).
