DOWNEY – Climbing out of the orchestra pit, Pseudolus, played by Nick Santa Maria, wasted no time in stealing the spotlight in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” which opened at Downey Theatre last weekend.

The musical opened on Broadway in 1962 and is written by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Inspired by the farces of ancient Roman playwright Plautus, the production is set in Rome 200 years before the Christian era and tells the story of Pseudolus, a slave willing to do practically anything for his freedom.

The comedy begins when Senex (George Champion) and Domina (Ann Peck McBride) depart on a trip and leave Hysterium (John Massey), one of their slaves, in charge of their son Hero (Ben Hensley). Hero later confides in Pseudolus – another of the family’s slaves – that he is in love with a woman he sees in the window of neighbor Marcus Lycus’ (August Stoten) home, which is more commonly known as a brothel. Pseudolus strikes a deal with Hero and says in exchange for helping him win the young woman, he wants to be freed.

When Pseudolus and Hero visit the brothel, they tell Marcus Lycus they are interested in purchasing a woman, also known as a courtesan. One by one the courtesans “perform” for the men, but none of the women were the woman Hero saw in the window.

As the girls and Marcus Lycus make their way back inside, the young woman appears in the window. Come to find out, the girl’s name is Philia (Heather Nichole White) and she is a virgin that has been promised to Captain Miles Gloriosus (Sam Zeller), who is on his way to claim his prize.

What unfolds throughout the rest of the production is by far the funniest portrayal of deceit, as Pseudolus creates a farcical escapade, complete with a plague from Crete, a sleeping potion, an undercover maid, a haunted house, a soothsayer, gaggle-of-geese rings, and everyone pretending to be anybody but themselves. And of course, no comedic display of lies is complete without goofy soldiers, sexy courtesans, and timid eunuchs.

The musical numbers were just as hilarious, with audience favorites including “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid,” a duo-turned-quartet that has you smiling throughout; “I’m Calm,” a laugh-out-loud number about keeping one’s cool; and “That Dirty Old Man,” which is deserving of being every woman’s anthem.

The set was beautiful and the costumes were simple, yet exotic and vibrant when need be. The whole cast did a great job and are deserving of high praise, but no one can argue the fact that Santa Maria stole the show.

Overall, the production was a whirlwind of laughter and hysterics. It is feisty, it is hectic, and it is risqué.

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” will be playing at the Downey Theatre until June 15. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the box office from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday – Friday, or by calling (562) 923-1714.

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Published: June 6, 2008 - Volume 7 - Issue 7