A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum to Kick Off Season 16 at Stoneham Theatre
Stoneham Theatre opens Season 16 with Stephen Sondheim's riotously funny Broadway musical hit A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. Performances run from September 10 - October 4, 2015.
With a Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and originally produced on Broadway by Harold S. Prince, ...Forum takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time- tested, 2000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. This sexy and hilarious slapstick musical comedy will be co-directed by Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes and Elliot Norton and IRNE Award-winner Ilyse Robbins. Robbins, who previously directed and choreographed Stoneham Theatre's How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, 42nd Street, and Thoroughly Modern Millie, among others, will also choreograph.
"I chose this show because it's really, really, funny - and at a time when Sondheim is constantly being produced, ....Forum feels like it's been a bit neglected. " shared Symes. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM's original 1962 Broadway run won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book. Successful revivals of the musical were done in 1972 and in 1996, both winning additional Tony Awards.
Broadway's greatest farce will have you rolling in the aisles as Pseudolus, a clever and scheming Roman slave, does just about anything to secure his freedom. Things don't exactly go as planned when he ventures to unite the girl next door with his infatuated master. When she turns out to be a virgin courtesan sold to a formidable Roman Captain, what will Pseudolus do?
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM features one role for a student actor as part of the young company comes to Mainstage program. "This program is such an asset to us as it often allows us to cast roles in a more age-appropriate manner. young company student Devin Bean gave the best audition we saw for the role of Philia. It was a very easy choice," says Symes. Additionally, cast member Angelo McDonough is an alumnus of Stoneham Theatre's young company.
Stoneham Theatre's production of ...Forum also stands out for its non-traditional casting. Liana Asim will be playing the traditionally male role of Marcus Lycus, and Jenna Lea Scott* will be playing the traditionally male role of Erronius. Director Weylin Symes says "Since the show is framed as a troupe of actors putting on a show, it's very easy to use non-traditional casting. We only wanted to be careful that any gender switches in casting weren't confusing in a show that already involves a male character dressing up as a woman. Other productions have cast Pseudolus as a woman, but Marcus Lycus and Erronius seemed to us like fun roles to experiment with gender switches without any harm to the underlying story. Quite the contrary, having women play these roles bring an exciting freshness to these 53-year-old characters."
Neil A. Casey* stars as the sly and conniving Pseudolus. Proud and domineering Domina will be played by Stoneham native Kathy St. George*. Other cast members include: Jordan Ahnquist*, Liana Asim, Devin Bean, Nicholas Davis, Maria LaRossa, Mark Linehan*, Angelo McDonough, Chip Phillips*, John James Pirroni*, Jenna Lea Scott*, and Ceit Zweil.
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM opens on September 10, 2015 and runs through October 4, 2015. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 3:00pm & 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm. The Press Opening is Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 3:00pm. There is a post-show talkback on Sunday, September 13, 2015.
Tickets: $50-55 Adults; $45-50 Seniors; $20 Students (with a valid ID). "Thrifty Thursday" tickets cost $15 at the door and are available for the Thursday, September 10, 2015 performance at 7:30pm, Student Rush Tickets start one hour prior to each performance, and 2 Student tickets may be purchased for the price of one (subject to availability). For more information or to purchase tickets, call Stoneham Theatre's Box Office at (781) 279-2200, or visit www.stonehamtheatre.org.