[NEohioPAL]Berko review: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (GLTF)

[Roy Berko]

‘FUNNY THING’ is a very funny thing at GLTF

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	


The program for Great Lakes Theatre Festival’s ‘A
FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM’ asks the
question, “What is funny?”  The answer, at least in
Cleveland for the next five weeks is, ‘A FUNNY THING
HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM.”  

‘FORUM’ is a musical based on two plays by Titus
Marrius Plautus, who is considered to be the father of
comedy in the Western world.  It was Plautus who
invented the devices of theatrical comedy which have
lasted to this very day.  Most of his techniques, such
as prat falls, cross-gendered misidentities, visual
double takes, having characters who are bigger than
life, makes the audience laugh at them and their
actions rather than with them.  It’s the kind of stuff
that made Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and the Three
Stooges funny.

The story follows Plautus’ standard structure.  While
the Master and Mistress are away, sons and slaves will
play.  In this case, Pseudolus, a slave who wants to
be free, decides to help Hero, the son of Senex and
Domina to elope with Philia, a virgin who has been
sold to the nation’s greatest warrior.  Chaos ensues
via comical misadventures, coverups and plot twists.

The book was written by Burt Shevelove and Larry
Gelbert, while the music and lyrics are by Stephen
Sondheim.  In spite of such wonderful songs as "Free,"
"Lovely," "Pretty Little Picture," and "Everybody
Ought to Have a Maid,’ Sondheim’s score was cooly
received by critics when the show opened on Broadway
in 1962.  However, the production’s run of 966
performances is Sondheim’s longest running Big Apple
show.   The original production starred the
irrepressible Zero Mostel, who was also the lead in a
moderately successful 1966 film version.

The script was revived on Broadway in 1972 with Phil
Silvers, and again in 1996 with Nathan Lane as
Pseudolus.  Lane was replaced during the run by Whoopi
Goldberg.

Great Lakes Theatre Festival’s production, under the
adept directing of Victoria Bussert, is nothing short
of hysterical.  Bussert and her wonderful cast pull
out all the stops.  Every shtick and gimmick possible
has been incorporated into the happenings.  To add to
the doings is the fine musical direction of John Jay
Espino, the creative choreography of Janet Louer, Jeff
Herman’s traditional scenic design and Nicole
Frachiseur’s era correct creative costumes.

Usually, the role of Pseudolus is the key role in this
play.  However, as good as Tom Ford is in that role in
this production, he is overshadowed by Jeffrey C.
Hawkins whose Hysterium is hysterical!   It’s worth
the price of admission to see Hawkins in action.

Also adding to the laugh-fest is Dudley Swetland as
Erronius, a doddering old man; Laura Perrotta as
Domina, an overbearing wife and a woman of implants
that you won’t believe; Aled Davies, Hero’s father and
sex-obsessed husband of Domina; and Scott Plate as
Miles Gloriosis, a pompous warrior.   As the
star-crossed lovers, Matt Lillo and Kate Rockwell are
fine.  Their “Lovely” was a smile inducer.  Credit
also must be given to Wilson Bridges, Dougfred Miller
and M. A. Taylor, the omnipresent clowns whose roles
vary from eunuchs to soldiers.

Highlights include the opening number, “Comedy
Tonight,” the show-stopping ”Everybody Ought to Have a
Maid” and the delightful “Lovely Reprise.”

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  GLTF’s “A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON
THE WAY TO THE FORUM,” is a laugh delight.  It’s the
kind of production that audience members will totally
enjoy.   Congrats to Victoria Bussert and her cast and
crew for a wonderful production.

‘A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM’ and
‘LOVE’S LABOR’S LOST’ are running in repertory through
October 21.  For tickets to any GLTF production call
216-241-6000 or 800-766-6048.



Roy Berko's web page can be found at www.royberko.info.  His theatre and dance reviews appear on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.

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