Theatrical Review: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
Book by: Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart
Music and Lyrics by: Stephen Sondheim
Based on the comedies of Plautus (c. 254-184 BCE)
Directed by: Margaret Joyce Ball*
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The East Stroudsburg University (ESU)* Department of Theatre presented their production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum” by Burt Shevelove, Larry Gelbart, Stephen Sondheim which is based upon the Ancient Roman comedies written Plautus. There are many productions which appeared on the ESU stage which challenged our thinking and perception of our lives and the world around us. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum” isn’t one of these plays. Instead, the play simply provides its audience with a good time making the theatrical experience an enjoyable one.

As mentioned before, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum” is based upon the works of Roman Playwright Plautus which lent itself well to the Burlesque Theatre so popular from the 1930s and up to the 1960’s and a little bit beyond. Burlesque were well known for the comedic sketches which included a lot of slapstick and double entendre humor. They were also known for their striptease artists and the bawdiness they inspired among other things. With this in mind, this reviewer was a bit surprised the promotion of the production mentioned the play was suitable for the whole family, but I also suppose what was once considered bawdy and risqué when the play was originally produced is a bit passé in 2009. After all, although the courtesans were enticing, none of them took off their clothing. Oh well, like one of the characters in the play said, “You can’t have everything.”

The play itself is simply about a young man falling in love with a young woman whom he sees from afar (in the window of a brothel). His desire for her hand (to start with) leads him to bargain with his slave to win her in exchange for the slave’s freedom. After a great number of confused yet hilarious escapades, their mutual love is allowed to flourish (by getting married?) and the slave gains his freedom. This simple avenue of comedy leads its audience down many side roads all of which are a joy to travel up as each are more delightfully funnier than the one preceding it.

The play also features a number of musical numbers written by a young Stephen Sondheim who may have begun his road to fame with “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum.” The songs are enjoyable as they are memorable but this reviewer could not help but wonder if this production would not have been enhanced by some dance movements to accompany the musical pieces as many of the songs were sung by actors who simply stood in one spot. I also found some of the blocking (which is the art of placement of the actors on stage by the director) a bit questionable as some of the actors back was to the audience. Regardless, the ESU production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum” is an enjoyable experience for those who come out to see it.

The play consisted of characters whose names aptly described their nature Christopher Palardy portrayed both Prologus who provided the plays prologue and Pseudolus the slave whose cunning leads him to helping his master to gain his love thus gaining freedom for himself. Michael Demyan IV* portrayed Pseudolus’ master named Hero who is a bit dimwitted in spite of (or because of) his noble upbringing but he is in love. Oh boy. Kristen Stachina portrays Phillia the virgin in the brothel who is the object of Hero’s affections but promised to be sold/married to a prominent Roman Military Commander. Luke Thomas Swierczek portrayed Senex who is Hero’s Father and Jessica Ann Bickel portrays Domina his domineering leather clad wife. Brian Foley* portrayed Hysterium Senex and Domina’s slave who is, well, hysterical as is played right on by Mr. Foley*. Shamus Halloran* portrays Lycus who is a neighbor of Senex and Domina and owns a brothel from which their son saw the light of his life. David Ausem portrayed Erronius another neighbor of Senex and Domina whose children were stolen as babies with identifying rings upon their fingers by pirates who now returns home as a very old man. Mr. Ausum’s portrayal almost steals the show in spite of his role being a relatively small one. The main Characters of the play is rounded off by Ryan Castro who portrays Miles Gloriosus the very vain and prominent Roman Military Commander to whom Phillia is promised to.

As with all Greco/Roman plays, it featured many characters who help move the plot along. In this production, they’re the Proteans as portrayed by Ryan Drozd, Karen Schwander, Keighty Simmons, and Alexander P. Wirth. Rounding out the cast (and rather nicely, too) were the Courtesans who were portrayed by Kristal Schroeder as Tintinabula, Christi Berlane* as Panacea, Rachel Mack and Jessica Pachuta as The Geminae, Jenell Anne Manzi as Vibrata, and Meredith Lubin as Gymnasia. As I mentioned earlier, the names of the play’s characters aptly described their nature.

The orchestra consisted of Dr. Betsy Buzzelli-Clarke* who served as the production’s Musical Director and Pianist, Laura Housley and Patrick Mertz who performed on Trumpet, Chad Diehl who performed on Trombone, John Hebble who performed on Bass, Larry Gordon and Marta Oberlin* who performed on the Woodwinds, and Chris Powers who performed on Drums. The Orchestra was conducted by Dr. Otis C. French.

The East Stroudsburg University (ESU)* Department of Theatre production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum” by Burt Shevelove, Larry Gelbart, Stephen Sondheim which is based upon the Ancient Roman comedies written Plautus was Directed by Margaret Joyce Ball* and Stage Managed by Amanda Kalinowski. The Production’s Costume and Set Designer was Yoshinori Tanokura while the Lighting Designer was David Dougherty.

This production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum” will continue its run at The East Stroudsburg University (ESU)* in East Stroudsburg, PA at The University’s Fine and Performing Arts Center in it’s Smith-McFarland Theatre until April 19th and is recommended for those who would really like to have some fun. Please contact The East Stroudsburg University (ESU)* Theatre Department at 570-422-3483 for more information and to reserve your ticket.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.