Noah Samotin and More Join Eddie Mekka in TheatreZone's 'FORUM'; Full Cast Announced!

TheatreZone Artistic director Mark Danni today announced his cast selection for the Tony award winning production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

"Forum is a light, fast-paced, witty and irreverent play considered to be one of the funniest musicals ever written with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart," says Danni. The farcical qualities in this wonderfully crafted musical will have audiences laughing in the aisles. The musical opens the Equity professional theatre group's Season 8 and is the perfect escape from life's troubles.

Joining Tony-nominated and television actor Eddie Mekka in role of the crazy Roman slave Pseudolus is a cast of actors with incredible comedic timing and understanding. Actor and Community School of Naples senior Noah Samotin is making his TheatreZone debut in the role of the young master Hero. Gary Simpson, who most recently portrayed Mephistopheles in the Opera Naples production of Faust, has been cast Miles Gloriosus; Susan Haldeman is Domina; Bruce Rebold is Lycus; Michael Lundy is Hysterium; Brigid Kegel is the beautiful but slow-witted courtesan Philia; Allan Baker is Senex; David Munnell is Erronius/Eunich; Kara Konken is courtesan Panacea; Lauren Culver is courtesan Vibrata; Adriel Munoz is Protean; Dawn Lebrecht is Gymnasia, and Carolann Sanita is Tintinabula.

Forum is directed by Mark Danni, with choreography by Karen Molnar and music direction from Charles Fornara.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, sponsored by WAVV 101 FM, runs Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 1, 6, 7 & 8 at 8 pm and Dec. 2 & 9 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets cost $43 and $48.

In 2005, non-profit TheatreZone was born on two concepts: an affinity and nostalgia for the stage, and for the intimacy of live audiences. Co-founders artistic director Mark Danni and his wife, actress/choreographer Karen Molnar shared a vision and a passion to bring equity professional actors, and produce talented and innovative productions of classic "lost treasures of Broadway" and original, commissioned new plays and musicals with an eye towards future Broadway, Off Broadway and regional productions.

TheatreZone 2012-2013 season tickets (four shows) cost $182 and individual seats cost $43 - $48 plus a $2 per ticket fee. A mini series (3 shows) and group rates (10 or more) are also available.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call TheaterZone at 1-888-ZONE-FLA, 1-888-966-3352 or purchase online at: www.theatrezone-florida.com.

Pictured: Noah Samotin