Hysteria and High Jinks in Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Signature Theatre
Not just funny, but side-splittingly funny – plus zany, goofy, clever, punny, sideways, witty, gummed up, nutso and nonsensical. And that’s just the plot. Is there a plot? Well, yes there is. It’s there to support the jokes and innuendos, swordfights and belly dancers. Did you say belly dancers? In Greece? Sure, toss that in too. Not everything aligns with Hellenic culture, but if it whacked the funny bone, co-authors Larry Gelbart and Burt Shevelove gleefully found a spot for it.
And it goes like this. Young Hero (Zachary Keller) falls in love with a pretty girl, Philia (Kuhoo Verma) who is holed up in a house of prostitution awaiting the arrival of Miles Gloriosus (Cameron Loyal), a dashing, well-muscled, vainglorius Captain who has purchased the comely virgin. Hero’s wily slave Pseudolus (Erin Weaver) makes him a deal. In exchange for his freedom, he will deliver the girl to him.
Together they buck his father Senex’s (Christopher Bloch) and mother Domina’s (Tracy Lynn Olivera) control to fight off con artists and soldiers, navigate the wiles of glamorous courtesans, rescue the girl (not a virgin, but at this point who cares?) and live happily ever after. But first they must seize her from the clutches of Lycus (Lawrence Redmond), the town’s brothel owner in whose house the girl is being kept.
Guises and disguises, foolishness and fools, gladiators and pirates all conspire to muck up their plan. Gray-bearded Erronius (Sherri L. Edelen), in search of his long-lost children, arrives onstage in well-timed increments geared to punctuate the absurdity of it all. At this point you’re either rolling in the aisles or falling out of your seat. Quietly pick yourself up. No one will notice because they have also doubled over and are scraping themselves off the floor.
I was massively impressed by the experienced cast – most especially Weaver, whom I’m sure you all know if you’re up on the local theater scene, ditto for Redmond, Bloch, Olivera, Edelen who also plays the courtesan Vibrata, Ryan Sellers, Hank Von Kolnitz, Harrison Smith, Dylan Arredondo and Mike Millan – all Signature alums. The result is an action-packed, har-dee-har-har fest and the perfect panacea for our times.
What I wasn’t expecting was the vocal + performing talents of Loyal, a New York-based actor whose amazing voice coupled with his comic timing was absolutely fantastic; Keller, whose voice and adorableness put me in mind of Ben Platt in Dear Evan Hansen; and Verma, whose portrayal of Hero’s ditsy love interest blending high comedy with girlish innocence was absolute perfection.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum was Stephen Sondheim’s first composer + lyricist writing credit. At thirty-two years old, he had already had two huge B’way hits as the lyricist on West Side Story and Gypsy. I don’t need to tell you, dear theatregoer, of the mountains of awards and success that followed. Signature’s close relationship with Sondheim’s works makes them singularly poised to return this beloved classic to the stage.
Here a 15-piece orchestra sets the mood with a classic and sweeping Broadway overture. The well-known tune “Comedy Tonight” opens the first scene, showing us that the Greeks could do a chorus line and jazz hands as well as anyone. And although there are 14 more numbers to follow, I’m waiting for “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid”, a catchy first act number.
High praise to Director and Choreographer Matthew Gardiner and his production team. I’m singling out Jimmy Stubbs’ Palladian set design – Grecian columns and all – and Erik Teague’s costume design). With Music Direction by Jon Kalbfleisch; Lighting Design by Jason Lyons; Wig Design by Anne Nesmith; Fight Choreographer Casey Kaleba; and Intimacy Consultant & Choreographer Chelsea Pace.
Additional cast: Kaylee Olson as Tintinabula; Emily Steinhardt as Panacea; Nolan Montgomery as Gymnasia.
Highly recommended. Hilarity and high jinks at their finest!!!
Through January 12 at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue in Shirlington Village, Arlington, VA 22206. For tickets and information call the box office at 703 820-9771 or visit www.SigTheatre.org.
