'A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM' Expect comedy at Salem theater
Schtick, slapstick and silliness fill this plot, a veteran actor says.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SALEM -- The people at Salem Community Theater are gearing up for laughs, as they present "A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum." Directed by Jon Simsic, the cast includes many well-seasoned local actors.
Eric Kibler, who has been involved with theater for 30 years, is playing the part of Pseudolus, the Roman slave determined to gain his freedom. Kibler says he likes this musical because everyone has a chance to play "over the top."
"This is a farce that relies on shtick, slapstick and silliness," he said. "The book was co-written by Larry Gelbart, a master of comedy, so there are elements of the Three Stooges, Marx Brothers -- a little bit of everything, kind of like a history of American comedy." Gelbart is known as the author of hits such as "Oh, God!" "Tootsie" and "M*A*S*H."
What's onstage
The stage is set with three houses, the center one being the House of Sennex, (Tom Hathorn) who lives with his domineering wife, Domina, (Linda McKim) and son, Hero (Joe Shipbaugh). The Slave in Chief is Hysterium (Dave Bedell). Pseudolus is slave to Hero.
To their right is the House of Lycus, a brothel. Lycus is described as "a buyer and seller of flesh of beautiful women."
These women are not just prostitutes. They are courtesans, being sold as wives or all-purpose women," said Kibler. "Lycus has access to women all over the world and brings them for sale or rent. Philia (Melanie Williams) has been trained as a courtesan, which is an entertainer, supervisor, who oversees the preparation of meals. She has been promised to a soldier, Miles Gloriosus (Randy Barnes), who is arrogant and stuck on himself. Hero falls head over heels in love with Philia, a blond beauty. They are both empty-headed and na & iuml;ve.
"Pseudolus is crafty and finds openings to con people," Kibler continues. "He makes a deal with Hero that if he can get Philia for him, he gains his freedom."
"The plot is tangled and convoluted, filled with mistaken identities," said director Simsic. "But in the end everything gets unraveled, and there is a happy ending. Most of the music is individual songs, or duets, except the openings to both acts. The most well-known tune is 'Comedy Tonight.'"
About the director
Simsic is no stranger to greater Youngstown. He was the chorus master and assistant conductor at the Youngstown Symphony for years, and also with music theater productions at Youngstown State University. He is now the music director of the Ohio Boy Choir in Cleveland, and Valley Lyric Opera in Greenville, Pa.
Tammy Crismon, artistic director of Salem Community Theater, became interested in Simsic when the Boy Choir performed there, and the theater was looking to revitalize its youth program. When the board chose this musical, Crismon thought Simsic would be perfect to direct it.
Kibler jumped at the chance to work with Simsic. "I love his raunchy sense of humor," he said. But Kibler stresses that this musical is suitable for children.
"I usually gravitate toward drama and more subtle roles," he said. "But this allows me to exercise a different set of muscles." Kibler also loves working with the experienced cast and thinks the show will be very funny and entertaining.