"Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" Opens July 10

Fairmont State University's Town & Gown Summer Theatre 2009 season features "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door.

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"Forum" will be performed July 10-12 and 15-18 at 8 p.m. at Prickett's Fort Amphitheatre. Ticket prices are $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors and $6 for students with ID. To order tickets, call the Box Office at (304) 367-4240. This show is suitable for those who are teen-agers and older.

"In today's economy, we know that it's become more difficult for people to afford to go out to a show," said Peter Lach, Dean of the FSU School of Fine Arts. "Making the fine arts accessible to the community is very important to us. Something new we are doing this summer is offering one date for each show that is 'pay what you can.' Admission on these dates will be by donation at the door."

The "Pay What You Can" show date is July 12 for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

"Forum" is inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus (251-183 BCE). The plot displays many classic elements of farce, including puns, the slamming of doors, cases of mistaken identity (frequently involving characters disguising themselves as one another) and satirical comments on social class. Students of historical drama will nod their heads as they watch the production unfold. The title derives from the old Vaudeville line that comedians often used to begin a story: "A funny thing happened on the way to the theatre..."

The cast includes the following: Jason Young (Prologus/Pseudolus); John O'Connor (Senex); Linda O'Connor (Domina); Daniel Crowley (Hero); Steve McElroy (Hysterium); Brandon Bloomfield (Lycus); Anthony Host (Erronius); Leanne Bolyard (Philia); Joshua Brooks (Miles Gloriosus); Bruce McGlumphy and Nick Oliveto (Eunuchs); Sarah Grumblat Young (Panacea); Celi Oliveto (Tintinabula); Andrea Loss and Sasha Six (The Geminae Twins); Julia Oliveto (Vibrata); Dana Sayre (Gymnasia); Samantha Huffman, Robert Sundin and Lanette Six (Proteans/Soldiers/House of Lycos).

The musical's original 1962 Broadway run won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book. Its music and lyrics were written by Stephen Sondheim and the book was written by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Successful revivals of "A Funny Thing Happened..." opened in 1963, London's West End; 1972, Broadway; 1986, the West End again; 1996, Broadway; 2004, London's West End; and 2009 in Hong Kong.

On May 8, 1962, the play opened for its first run at the Alvin Theatre. Directed by George Abbott and produced by Hal Prince, it ran for 964 performances. Among the notable and seasoned actors who were early associated with "A Funny Thing Happened..." were Zero Mostel, Jack Gilford, Phil Silvers, David Burnes, John Carradine, Ruth MuCock, Raymond Walburn, Brian Davies and Preshy Marker.

 

Linda O'Connor (Domina), Stephen McElroy (Hysterium) and Josh Brooks (Miles Gloriosus) are shown in a scene from "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

 

 

 

Bruce McGlumphy (Eunuch), Anthony Host (Erronius), Robert Sundin (Protean/Soldier/House of Lycos) and Nick Oliveto (Eunuch) are shown in a scene from "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

 

 

 

Leanne Bolyard (Philia), Jason Young (Pseudolus) and Daniel Crowley (Hero) are shown in a scene from "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

 

Celi Oliveto (Tintinabula) and Jason Young (Pseudolus) are shown in a scene from "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."