A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Light, fast-paced, witty, and irreverent, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Broadway’s greatest farce, opens at the HS on April 17. In 1962, the New York Times gave Forum “thumbs up for this uninhibited romp!” TIME magazine said it “brings back belly laughs!” The book is by Larry Gelbart, of M*A*S*H fame, and Burt Shevelove. Lyrics and music are early Sondheim.  Aficionados will enjoy hearing echoes of other Sondheim shows throughout.  For example, the courtesans dance to passages from Pacific Overtures, a later show; and there are strains of West Side Story, an earlier piece, throughout.

Forum takes us back to comedy’s roots, combining situations from the 2000-year-old plays of Roman writer Plautus with the infectious energy and shenanigans of classic vaudeville. There are all the ancient stereotypes: the crafty Pseudolus (played by Noah Robbins ’09) schemes to win the hand of the slow-witted courtesan Philia (Aliza Sotsky ’11) for his young master, the love-struck Hero (Ethan Slater ’10). Playing multiple roles—from soldiers to eunuchs—are the Proteans, Vaudeville clowns, and quick-change artists: Juliet Gordon ’08, Zach Groff ’09, and Jordan Roberts ’09. Hero’s parents are Senex (Sam Schachter ’09) and his wife, Domina (Nicola Bertoni ’09). Songs include the famous “pile-on” song Maids sung by Pseudolus, Senex, housekeeper Hysterium (Charlie Polinger ’09) and Lycus, purveyor of courtesans (Brendan Yukins ’10).

Classically structured, the play introduces the outrageous characters and sets up the schemes, disguises, and mistaken identities in Act I. Act II is a classic chase scene, complete with 18 characters, 9 entrances and exits, balconies, windows, rooftops, houses that spin, and a Vespa! Seniors Maya Atlas and Lizzie Thompson designed the set, modeled on the farce Noises Off: three houses on turntables on a quiet street in ancient Rome. The set turns during opening and closing numbers to give the audience a glimpse of backstage at work, of theater about theater (after all, in the opening lines Prologus self-consciously describes the substance of the play and the characters as “something familiar, something peculiar…nothing with kings, nothing with crowns.  Bring on the lovers, liars and clowns.”).  Asya Snejnevski ’08 and India Teal ’09 designed the costumes, togas with a twist. Senior Jeff Schneider designed the lights. Set Dressing and Props are by seniors Daniel Kanter and Hannah Kahn. Makeup and wigs are by Elena Hadjimichael ’09. Annie Mark ’08 is the stage manager and Benjy Messner ’08 producer.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.gds.org/theater.  For more information call the Box Office Hotline at 202-274-3194.  Note:  “Forum” plays April 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m.  There are two performances on April 26, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.