JESSICA MEDITZ
Staff Writer
Many college-aged people might not know or recognize how iconic the Marx Brothers are considered in pop culture.
Students of SUNY Fredonia, however, will have it brought to their attention if it hasn’t been already.
To honor the connection between the Marx Brothers and Fredonia, the staff of Reed Library organizes an annual event known as Freedonia Marxonia.
Its punny name comes from the Marx Brothers’ 1933 film, “Duck Soup,” which takes place in a fictional country called “Freedonia.”
Folklore has it that the mayor of Fredonia called out Groucho Marx, telling him to change the name of his fictional country, as it resembled Fredonia too much. Marx responded saying, “you can change the name of your town.”
Freedonia Marxonia is a series of various events inspired by the comedy troupe, and Fredonia students are encouraged to get involved.
Each year, Freedonia Marxonia has a theme, this year’s being “Vaudeville and the Marx Brothers.”
Freedonia Marxonia will have its opening event at 3 p.m. in Reed Library on Thursday, Oct. 3, which is coincidentally the day after Groucho Marx’s birthday.
There will be a display of art contest submissions, cake in honor of Groucho’s birthday and the performance of “Hail Freedonia” by the Student Opera Theatre Association and Fredonia’s chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.
Additionally, the annual group photo where everyone in attendance wears the signature Groucho Marx glasses will take place.
A screening of the Brothers’ 1930 film “Animal Crackers” will be later that day, at 7:30 p.m., at the Fredonia Opera House.
The guest speaker for this year’s Freedonia Marxonia will be Trav S.D., a show business expert and author.
He will be heavily involved in Friday, Oct. 4’s events.
He’ll be doing an interview in the Garden at Reed Library at 12 p.m. and holding an illustrated lecture at the Fredonia Opera House at 7:30 p.m.
“Duck Soup,” the film that started it all, will be shown in the Reed Library Classroom at 2 p.m.
Following the screening, Trav S.D. will host a discussion about the movie, specifically why it wasn’t a hit when it first came to the big screen.
“It’s important to be aware of different forms of entertainment over the years,” said Cynthia Yochym, one of the main organizers of Freedonia Marxonia. “You don’t have to like [the Marx Brothers], but it’s more about being informed. To be aware of something different and place things historically; that’s always a good thing. That’s pretty much why we put on this event.”
All Freedonia Marxonia events are free and open to the public.