The JHU Barnstormers' spring musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opens this Friday in the Swirnow Theater. Last year's musical, Tommy, the popular rock opera, was so well done that the Barnstormers have a lot to live up to. The cast and crew have planned a lot of "firsts" for this show meant to wow the audience. The production of the show marks the first time that the Barnstormers will have a director of choreography and the first time that a circular stage with seating wrapped around the perimeter will be used. The effect is the creation of an intimate setting that envelops the audience and gives everyone a front-row seat.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum was the first Broadway production to feature music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The show opened in 1962 at the Alvin Theater in New York and ran for 964 performances. It returned to Broadway in the 90s starring Nathan Lane.
The Barnstormer production, directed by Henry MacCarthy, features sophomore Seth Carlson, who opens the show with the opening number "Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight!" He announces that tonight's presentation is a comedy, and he introduces the cast of characters and the location for the play. The scene is a street in ancient Rome where the houses of Erronius, Senex and Lycus sit. Erronius is searching for her son and daughter who have been kidnapped by pirates; Senex (Tarik Najeddine) and his wife Domina (Kim Andrews) live with their son Hero (Michael Levy) and their slave Pseudolus; and Lycus (Keelye Pratt) brokers the sale of beautiful women. There are also the Proteans, four actors who play several roles throughout the play.
The plot revolves around Pseuodolus, Hero's slave, who will do anything to gain his freedom. When Hero sees Philia, a courtesan in the house of Marcus Lycus, he is determined to find her and win her over. Pseudolus bargains with Hero that if he can get Philia (Kristen Mugford), he will be granted his freedom. Philia has recently been sold to Captain Miles Gloriosus (Jerry Wu), so Pseudolus must use his cunning wit and ingenuity to keep Philia away from her intended husband.
The play revolves around the obstacles that Pseudolus faces with the cast breaking into song and hilarious antics along the way. The music (directed by Jose C. Simbulan) and the choreography (directed by Alan Brown) are catchy and will make you want to jump up and join and the show. It's a light, comedic farce that will leave you in a good mood and ready to see what the Barnstormers have in store for next spring.
Show times: Fri., April 5; Sat., April 6; Fri., April 12; Sat., April 13 at 8 p.m.; Sun., April 7 and Sun., April 14 at 2 p.m. For reservations contact tickets@jhu.edu or call the box office at 410-516-4695.
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