![Humor Risk (1921), now long-lost, was the first Marx Brothers' film. Pictured in a photograph the same year, from (left to right), are Zeppo, Groucho, Harpo and Chico. [Credit: Public domain]](https://www.hernandosun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Marx_Brothers_1921.jpg "Marx_Brothers_1921")
Academia Hernando is sure to get high ‘Marx’ for the debut presentation of their spring 2024 lecture series, as lecturer and theatre director Jason Fortner presents “Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Sometimes Zeppo” at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 12, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill.
Academia Hernando is a not-for-profit lifelong learning organization providing quality instruction and learning experiences for adult students throughout Hernando County and beyond. Their goal is to inform, educate and inspire adult learners through a series of weekly lectures on a wide variety of topics.
“A fun-filled look at the comedy careers of the Marx Brothers from their early days in vaudeville to success on Broadway and in Hollywood,” read an event notice. “Laugh along to their antics and anecdotes.”
Fortner returns to Academia Hernando for another fun-filled look at entertainment history. A 25+ year veteran lecturer with Eckerd College, Road Scholar and Osher Lifelong Learning, he has spoken on hundreds of entertainment topics. He has also served as artistic director for Clearwater’s historic Francis Wilson Playhouse for more than a decade, having directed more than 100 productions there.
Fortner promises a spirited presentation that balances history and hilarity. “My presentation offers a laugh-filled look at five real-life brothers who brought madcap hilarity to vaudeville, Broadway, Hollywood and classic television,” he said. “With mother Minnie as the driving force, the boys went from a lowly vocal group to becoming international superstars. Classic stories, funny anecdotes, raucous film clips and interviews bring their humor back for modern audiences to enjoy at Academia Hernando.”
Sharon Printz, a board member of Academia Hernando, looks forward to welcoming this popular presenter to the Academia stage. “This is sure to be a lively presentation. Jason Fortner does comedy so well. All of his entertainment presentations are great, and there’s an extra spark to his comedy talks. He’s a great performer,” she said. “This presentation will combine a speech, photos and video clips. It has it all.”
“Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Sometimes Zeppo” is the debut presentation of the spring 2024 series of Academia Hernando, which features a brilliant spectrum of topics, as delivered by the experts who know them best.
The season will continue on Jan. 19 with Laura Gamba’s “Fighting the Rise of Diabetes” on Jan. 26; with Dedee Aleccia’s “Catherine the Great of Russia”; Feb. 2 with Mary Peter, CMDT Founder/Exec. Director’s K9 Partners for Patriots, Inc., presenting “The Healing Power of Service Dogs”; Feb. 9 with Michael Hayes’ “Americapalooza: Talk About Our Generation”; Feb. 16 with Don Philpott’s “Coastal, Inland and Freshwater Florida”; Feb. 23 with Sheryl Long’s “A Visual History of Mapmaking”; March 1 with Bruce Gobioff’s “The Science of Star Trek” and a March 8 bus excursion or event.
“We always strive to offer diversity at Academia Hernando. To have a range of topics keeps things interesting and draws new subscribers,” said Printz. “We host presentations about life in Florida, those of special interest to people in Hernando County, health and wellness, history and geography, agriculture.”
And Printz stated that all of these very diverse presentations share a vital common bond in terms of their educational quality and sublime entertainment value. “We always aim to be educational and inspiring,” she said. “Those who attend will be entertained.”
Academia Hernando presentations begin promptly at 10 a.m. and last two hours with a 15-minute intermission. To register for the entire lecture series in addition to a March 8 mystery bus trip or event, print the registration form found at https://www.academiahernando.org/spring-series and mail with your check for $80 payable to Academia Hernando Inc. to: Bev Nuzzi
15027 Middle Fairway Drive
Brooksville, FL 34609
Checks also can be brought to an Academia Hernando presentation; in addition, walk-in admissions are available at $15 per presentation. Visit https://www.academiahernando.org/ for more information or call (352) 345-8345 or (352) 515-0300.
