‘I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce’ at Byham Theater; Bill Toms and Hard Rain Play Moondog’s (Fri., 10/21/22)

I’M NOT A COMEDIAN … I’M LENNY BRUCE (one-man show) with Ronnie Marmo, directed by Joe Mantegna. October 21 – 22. Touring production at the Byham Theater. 

The necktie is loose, and Lenny is on the loose. Actor Ronnie Marmo portrays the late hell-raiser in ‘I’m Not a Comedian … I’m Lenny Bruce.’ (Photo courtesy of the artist)

1) Doesn’t matter whether you are a Pittsburgh theater fan with a sense of history or a scorn for history. You might relish a one-man play about the man who was a one-man tornado onstage. I’m Not a Comedian … I’m Lenny Bruce visits Pittsburgh for a two-night stand after a lauded run off Broadway. Lenny Bruce (1925-1966) was the standup comic who, more than anyone else, broke the ground for future waves of standup artists being able to do material that’s sexually explicit and socio-politically rambunctious. He did it in the 1950s and early ‘60s, an era when such antics got him busted repeatedly for obscenity—but profoundly influenced performers such as Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and many others. In the touring show, veteran actor Ronnie Marmo re-creates Bruce with direction from Joe Mantegna, a powerful actor in his own right (House of Games, TV’s “Criminal Minds,” etc.). I’m Not a Comedian … I’m Lenny Bruce addresses an always-hot issue, freedom of speech, in a style quite different from court decisions. 8 p.m. Byham Theater, 101 6th St., Cultural District. (M.V.) 

Bill Toms and Hard Rain with the Soulville Horns performing at the Shrine Center last summer. (photo: Rick Handler)

2) Bill Toms and Hard Rain with the Soulville Horns will be rockin’ out Moondog’s in Blawnox this evening. Toms’ latest album is Keep Movin’ On. See our story on the making of the album. Toms’ slightly raspy, deeply soulful voice and his guitar playing prowess combine with the drums, horns, and the rest of the band to create a hot rock sound. 8 p.m. 378 Freeport Rd

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