Musical Farce at Somerset Valley Players Spoofs Ancient Rome

With their production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the Somerset Valley Players aren’t sure whether they’re presenting a comedy with music or a musical with comedy.

“Either way,” says Co-Producer Michael Muller, “the audience is in for a joyride of theatre fun!” A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opens on April 26.

Eric Walby – who is directing the show for the third time in his career – explains “Forum’s story has all the aspects of a classic farce (mistaken identity, plans that go astray, pratfalls, etc.) and a score that has one strong song after the other. You’ll leave the theatre tired from laughing and whistling a great tune.”

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical adaptation of 2,000 year-old plays by the ancient Roman author Plautus. With a script by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim contributed his first solo score – writing both the lyrics and the music. It was a smash hit on Broadway in 1962, and there have been successful revivals produced in the decades following.

Forum has been a particularly lucky show for the actor cast in the leading role of Pseudolus, the wily slave looking to gain his freedom, originated by the Zero Mostel. Every actor who’s opened the role on Broadway, starting with Mostel, has won a Tony Award.

Walby has a theory about why the role is such a scene stealer. “Pseudolus is the first character to appear, and he immediately addresses the audience directly. They’re drawn into his world and bond with him. They ride the roller coaster with him. It’s really a joy to see.”

The Somerset Valley Players performing space is intimate – it seats about 100 patrons – but that is proving to be a plus for this large-scale musical. “We have some surprises up our sleeves,” hints Co-Producer Holly Kowalenko. “We’re leaving no joke unturned!”

Produced by Michael A. Muller and Holly Kowalenko, musical direction by Linda Bachman, choreography by Angela Ricci, and stage managed by Holly Lessing, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum runs April 26 – May 12 at the Somerset Valley Players theater on 689 Amwell Road (Rout 514) in Hillsborough. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m. The theater is air conditioned, barrier free and wheelchair accessible.

For tickets and show times go to www.svptheatre.org.