‘A Funny Thing...’ on the way to Woodstock Opera House

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The musical comedy “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” will be presented by the Woodstock Musical Theatre Company at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, April 4 to 26, and at 3 p.m. Sundays, April 6, 13 and 20, at the Woodstock Opera House.
Directed by Bob Riner, Woodstock, Broadway’s greatest farce takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville.
A crafty slave named Pseudolus, played by Kyle McCoy, Woodstock, struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan, Philia, played by Jen Jersey, Cary, for his young master, Hero, played by Brendan Gaughan, Crystal Lake, in exchange for freedom. Hero’s hapless parents are Senex, played by Sandy Rutherford, Hebron, and Domina, played by Donna Badtke, Genoa City, Wis. Aiding and abetting Pseudolus in his schemes is the house slave Hysterium, played by Jim Crow, Rockford. Their next-door neighbor, Lycus, is portrayed by Joe Weyland, Woodstock. His courtesans for sale are played by Ellen Bellairs, Brenda Chesley, Ann Dowd, Beth Davis Johnson, Bridget Kuehnert and Maggie McCord. The arrogant Roman captain, Miles Gloriosus, is portrayed by Will Loftus, McHenry. Danny Malone, Crystal Lake, plays Erroneous, the old man searching for his children who were stolen in infancy by pirates. The proteans, who portray all the extra roles, are Jose Araoz, Cary, and Kevin Goss and Chris Kelecius, both of Lake in the Hills.
Musical direction is by Virginia Zymonas, and choreography is by Beth Davis Johnson, both of Woodstock. Elaine Riner, Woodstock, will stage manage, with Rick Amundsen, Woodstock, designing the lights. Mary Beth Brown and Nora Brown, Woodstock, will design the props.
With its unforgettable zany characters, the book by Larry Gelbart of “MASH” and “City of Angels” fame and Burt Shevelove, and witty Stephen Sondheim songs, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” allows the ensemble of comedic actors to shine.
Tickets are $23 for adults, $20 for students and senior citizens. Call the box office at 815-338-5300.
For information, visit www.woodstocktheatre.com and click on the current production link.

This article was published in the March 19, 2008 edition of The Woodstock Independent.