Review: Stoneham Theatre's FORUM: A Comedy Tonight

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Originally produced on Broadway by Harold S. Prince, Directed by Weylin Symes and Ilyse Robbins, Choreography by Ilyse Robbins; Musical Director, Matthew Stern; Scenic Design, Matthew Lazure; Lighting Design, Chris Fournier; Costume Design, Elisabetta Polito; Sound Design, John Stone; Props Master, Joe Stallone; Production Stage Manager, Rachel Policare; Assistant Stage Manager, Maegan Alyse Passafume

CAST (in alphabetical order): Jordan Ahnquist, Liana Asim, Devin Bean, Neil A. Casey, Nicholas Davis, Maria LaRossa, Mark Linehan, Angelo McDonough, Chip Phillips, John James Pirroni, Jenna Lea Scott, Kathy St. George, Ceit M. Zweil

Performances through October 4 at Stoneham Theatre, 395 Main Street, Stoneham, MA; Box Office 781-279-2200 or www.stonehamtheatre.org

Stoneham Theatre opens its 16th season with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, a silly, slapstick musical comedy brimming with funny characters spewing ribald jokes and enough vaudeville shtick to make your eyes roll. However, Forum is no lightweight contender, not with Tony Award-winning book by Burt Shevelove (No, No, Nanette) and Larry Gelbart (M*A*S*H, Tootsie, City of Angels), and Stephen Sondheim's first effort as composer/lyricist. Originally produced on Broadway in 1962, it won several Tony Awards, including the prize for Best Musical for Producer Harold S. Prince. Artistic Director Weylin Symes and Ilyse Robbins team up to direct a stand-out cast, with many old favorites returning to the Stoneham stage.

Front and center for the nonsense is Neil A. Casey, and you couldn't ask for a better fool (as in jester). He plays Pseudolus, a Roman slave willing to do whatever it takes to secure his freedom, including playing the fool. The underlying secret to his success is his ability to outsmart everyone, from his masters Senex (a dense and delightful Chip Phillips) and Domina (the ever-popular, scenery-chewing Kathy St. George), to the head slave Hysterium (hysterical and versatile John James Pirroni - what a voice!), and the pompous, formidable Roman Captain Miles Gloriosus (Mark Linehan, in fine voice). Pseudolus has to juggle a lot of balls to procure Philia (Devin Bean), the virgin-next-door, for his infatuated young master Hero (Jordan Ahnquist), and Casey conducts a master class in the subjects of facial expressions, timing, and even a bit of improv.

Bean is a student actor from Stoneham's the young company making her Mainstage debut, but you'd never know it. Her obvious strength is her angelic soprano voice, but she shows a natural comedic flair with the dumb blonde routine called for in her role, and she mixes it up with her seniors without missing a step. Ahnquist gets in touch with his puppy dog side as the smitten lover and possesses a very nice voice to blend with the object of his affection. They are surrounded by the trio of Nicholas Davis, Angelo McDonough, and Jenna Lea Scott as Proteans, choristers who play multiple roles (slaves, citizens, soldiers, and eunuchs). In a bit of non-traditional casting, Scott also dons a fake beard in the role of Erronius, the old man next door who circles the stage multiple times in a running gag.

The neighbor on the other side of the house of Senex is Marcus Lycus, a purveyor of beautiful women and keeper of the deed to Philia and a bevy of other Courtesans. Ceit M. Zweil and Maria LaRossa change wigs and dance styles to represent at least half a dozen beauties for sale. Liana Asim puts a different twist on the role of Lycus, ordinarily portrayed by a man, suggesting the Bloody Mary of ancient Rome as she tries to find the right match at the right price for her girls. Complicating matters is the fact that the Captain has paid in advance for Philia and will soon arrive to claim her. It is up to Pseudolus to convince the imperious warrior that someone else is his mail order bride. Enter Hysterium, and chaos and farce ensue.

Sondheim's score advances the story and gives each of the main characters a turn in the spotlight. A couple of special moments are Bean's rendition of "Lovely," the quartet of Pseudolus, Senex, Hysterium, and Lycus proclaiming that "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid," and the full company in the opening and closing numbers, "Comedy Tonight." Music Director Matthew Stern (piano) and five musicians provide snappy accompaniment, as well as the occasional trumpet flourish to announce important events. Sound designer John Stone keeps the voices and band in good balance. In addition to co-directing, Robbins wears the choreographer's shoes and infuses the dance numbers with a taste of vaudeville. Kudos to Linehan for performing a nifty tap break, too.

Matthew Lazure's scenic design features the facades of three houses, and the staging makes good use of their doors, windows, and one rooftop. Lighting designer Chris Fournier meets the challenge of spotlighting each area at the right moment when someone pops up in a window. The costume design is uneven as Elisabetta Polito has crafted some lovely gowns for the women and rugged chest plates and helmets for the soldiers, but the baggy shorts and tunics worn by the Proteans and Pseudolus look like patchwork rags. Senex appears well-to-do in his golden threads and everyone wears authentic-looking lace-up sandals or boots.

The collaboration between Symes and Robbins is seamless and wrings every drop of comedy from this winning show. Everyone in the company looks like they're having a great time even while they're working hard. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum doesn't require you to think about anything other than where the next laugh is coming from. In the words of the composer, "Something familiar, Something peculiar, Something for everyone - a comedy tonight!" That's the song you'll be singing on your way out.

Photo credit: Mark S. Howard (Full company of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum)

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