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Funny really happens in 'Forum'
(by Herb Hammer - June 17, 2009)
THEATER, BY HERB HAMMER
Funny really happens in 'Forum'
While it's always a pleasant evening of playgoing at the outdoor Porthouse Theatre on a summer night, it's even more pleasant when director Terri Kent has something special in store.
The first show of the season, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," is that special show. Never a favorite of reviewers, this production will knock your socks off.
The idea was stolen from Roman farce by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. The songs for the 1962 musical were Stephen Sondheim's first attempt at writing both words and music. Prior to that, he was exclusively a lyricist. In some of the songs, you can easily tell why.
"Forum" has always had an enormous following. Broadway stages a revival once every 10 years, while regional musical theaters bring it back more often than that.
This time out, Miss Kent has taken the show to another level. This production, besides being a laugh riot, is nothing short of wonderful.
Three two-story houses line the stage. All the action takes place in front of them. We're in ancient Rome, where togas were popular, slaves were common and the selling of young woman to rich Roman men was an everyday occurrence.
After bringing out the entire cast in order to inform us we are about to see a comedy with a happy ending ("Comedy Tonight"), we go headlong into the ludicrous plot.
The slave Pseudolus, looking for the opportunity to be free, is handed his chance when his master, Senex, and his battle-ax wife are about to visit her mother. It's the job of Pseudolus to watch out for their son, Hero, who has fallen desperately in love with the beautiful Philia, the virgin who's already been sold to Miles Gloriosus, a Roman captain.
Roman farce has a way of being complicated; for this reason, the plot keeps explaining itself.
Pseudolus makes a deal with Hero. If Hero will set him free, he will get Philia to fall in love and run away with him.
With Roman guards racing around the stage, eunuchs getting in the way and Hero's father's desire to have Philia for himself, we're well on our way to the end of Act 1.
Act 2 continues right where Act 1 leaves off with Pseudolus about to get his throat slit.
The desperate Pseudolus continues to come up with more tricks to obtain his freedom, after each one is shot down.
The songs don't exactly advance the plot as they should, but the entire package is too funny to worry about form.
Though the show has several comic characters, it's Pseudolus who commands the stage. Our first glimpse of Nick Koesters in the role is a bit of a surprise. The character calls for a down-and-out sly clown. Mr. Koesters is a dashing leading-man type. His talent though overcomes any doubt. He proves to be a terrific Pseudolus.
Marc Moritz is a hilarious Senex, and J.P. Mackowski is the perfect nervous slave Hysterium.
Brian Keith Johnson, as Miles Gloriosus, the bombastic Roman captain, comes on late and practically takes over the show.
Rayna Middleton's costumes are glorious, and Nolan O'Dell's set gives the show a magical look.
The eight-member band hidden behind the set has the sound of a big Broadway orchestra.
The women are beautiful, the men are crazy, and the show is fabulous.
Porthouse Theatre is on the grounds of the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls. For tickets, call (330) 929-4416.
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