Photo Flash: Porchlight Music Theatre's A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM Begins Tonight

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the final mainstage production in its 20th Anniversary "Season of Sondheim," A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, tonight, April 17 - May 24, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews are tonight, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m. and Monday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the stars below!

Inspired by the farces of the Roman playwright Plautus, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, tells the bawdy tale of the house slave Pseudolus (Bill Larkin) who yearns for freedom, while his young master (Miles Blim) pines for the pretty girl next door (Sarah Lynn Robinson). In exchange for his freedom, Pseudolus promises to find a way to unite the young lovers. But promises made are not easy to keep when a simple plan explodes in the wake of mistaken identities, frantic chases, lascivious husbands, men in dresses, long-lost children, mixed-up potions, all to the tunes of musical comedy - tonight! A Funny Thing...Forum marks the first collaboration of Artistic Director Michael Weber and Artistic Associates Linda Madonia and Brenda Didier.

The full Chicago company of A Funny Thing...Forum includes: Bill Larkin (Pseudolus), Porchlight Artistic Associate Matthew Crowle (Hysterium), Lorenzo Rush Jr. (Marcus Lycus), Will Clinger (Senex), Caron Buinis (Domina), Miles Blim (Hero), Sarah Lynn Robinson (Philia), Greg Zawada (Miles Gloriosus), Anthony Whitaker (Erronious), Neala Barron (Gymnasia), Ariana Cappaccitti (Tintinabula), Erica Evans (Panacea), Britt-Marie Sivertsen (Vibrata), Jason Grimm, Andrew Lund and Jaymes Osborne (The Proteans).

The artistic/production staff includes: Megan Truscott (scenic design), Alexia Rutherford (costume design), Becca Jeffords (lighting design), Artistic Associate Thom Van Ermen (stage manager), Will Deleguardia (technical director) and Artistic Associate Aaron Shapiro (production manager).

ABOUT BILL LARKIN, "Pseudolus" - Bill Larkin returns to Porchlight Music Theatre where he won the "Best Actor in a Musical" Equity Jeff Award for his starring performance as "Ed Kleban" in the Chicago premiere of A Class Act. His numerous Chicago stage credits include "Genie" in Disney''s Aladdin at Chicago Shakespeare and "Vice Principal Panch" in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with Broadway in Chicago.

ABOUT MATTHEW CROWLE, "Hysterium" - Porchlight Artistic Associate Matthew Crowle makes his on-stage debut with the company after directing and choreographing the Chicago premiere of Porchlight''s Double Trouble. A three-time Jeff Award-nominee, his stage credits include Monty Python''s Spamalot on Broadway, Doctor Dolittle (directed by Tommy Tune) on its national tour and, most recently, as "Bert" in Mary Poppins at Paramount Theatre in Aurora.

ABOUT LORENZO RUSH JR., "Marcus Lycus" - Lorenzo Rush Jr. returns to Porchlight Music Theatre after his Equity Jeff Award and Black Theater Alliance-nominated turn in the multi-award winning Ain''t Misbehavin''. His recent stage credits include appearances as "Newt Lee" in Parade at Boho Theatre and as "Tiny Joe Dixon" in Dreamgirls at Marriott Theatre as well as "Big Mike" on TV''s Sirens.

ABOUT WILL CLINGER, "Senex" - While Chicagoans know Will Clinger as the long-time host of TV''s Wild Chicago, his numerous stage credits include roles at Northlight, Chicago Shakespeare, A Red Orchid, Peninsula Players and The Second City as well as film appearances in Witless Protection, Stranger Than Fiction, Stash and Stealing Kisses.

Tickets are $35 for preview performances, $50 for the opening night performance and reception, $39 for Thursday performances, $45 for all other performances April 24 through May 10 and $48 for all performances May 14 - 24. Single tickets are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by calling 773.327.5252.

Photo Credit: Brandon Dahlquist