Review: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM

Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus (251-183 BC), the musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus ( Frank Ferrante) and his attempts to win his freedom with a clever plot ; to help his young master Hero , the winning Brandon O'Rourke, woo the virgin Phila played by the lovely soaring soprano Alanna J. Smith who's housed in the brothel next door. And let the fun begin... The zany plot displays many classic elements of farce, naughtiness, puns, slamming doors, cases of mistaken identity involving characters disguising themselves as one another, and satirical comments on social class.

The principal cast is a "Who's Who" list of funny folk from Philly including the always unpredictable and funny Mary Martello (Domina) and her feeble brow- beaten husband Senex played by Ron Wisniski, whose facial expressions are priceless! The great Scott Greer plays Hysterium, the stuck up overambitious slave of Senex & Domina. His number "I'm Calm" is anything but poised. Both Greer and Ferrante work themselves into lather as they forget their Latin names and bring down the house as they ask to see a program...much to the crowds delight. The always go- to man of comedy Fran Prisco plays Lyecus, the buyer and seller of courtesans, of course! Bill Van Horn plays Erronius staggering round and round the stage searching for his offspring and the entire cast try to dissuade the giant warrior Miles Glorious ( Nichalas L. Parker) from claiming his bride who is the dead Phlia disguised by Scott Greer( ok you really need to see it!).

A trio of Proteans Dave Jadico, Jennie Eisenhower, and Ben Dibble play eunuchs, soldiers, Romans, chorus members pulling the twisted plot together with their silly antics, acrobatics and outrageous faces. Ferrante steals the show as director and lead rabble rouser in this laugh a minuet musical that never misses a mark. Choreography by Michelle Gaudette is insanely intact and the orchestra keeps up the mad pace perfectly. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, this Forum is as funny and well driven as it gets.

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM plays at the Walnut Street Theatre through October 22. For information and tickets visit www.walnutstreettheatre.org

Photos by Mark Garvin