When "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" first opened, it was a 1962 take on ancient Roman comedy and American burlesque and vaudeville. Now, in 2005, it is a new millennium take on the early 1960s as well, thanks to Stephen Sondheim's groovy dance music. This triple-retro show stands the test of time thanks largely to Plautus, the ancient Roman playwright on whose work book writers Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart based the script (the braggart soldier Miles Gloriosus' line "I am a parade" comes right out of Plautus' own play), and to the budding genius of the then-novice composer Sondheim, whose music and lyrics are intended to provide a witty, restful reprieve from the frenetic pace of the book.
But in the performance at Marriott Theatre, directed by Dominic Missimi, music director Richard Carsey has taken the pace of some tunes, notably the uber-vaudeville "Everybody Ought To Have a Maid," so fast that the jokes fly by without giving the audience time to realize a joke has been cracked, let alone time to laugh. And so the pace of this production ends up being a bit odd, at times leaving the actors to work extra hard at this material that ought to stand on its own. But for the most part, the actors succeed in spite of the pace.
Versatile, boyish Guy Adkins is a contemporary Pseudolus, the clever slave who schemes to win his freedom, with hair that is a cross between that of American Idol contestant Clay Aiken and David Spade's "Joe Dirt" character. Adkins' Pseudolus is a contemporary slacker who runs sissy-like with his arms at his sides and effortlessly adlibs with an audience that just adores him. Add Bernie Yvon as Hysterium (who does a hilarious interpretation of his signature song "I'm Calm," blissfully rolling on the floor as if doing a water ballet), and you have a comic pairing with impeccably fun timing.
Cristen Page is an absolutely lovely Philia, the virgin courtesan who can't do simple math. Her loving admirer Hero, played by Matt Raftery, is simple and straightforwardly na誰ve, though Raftery's pop vocals are unnecessary for Hero's melodic "Love I Hear." And Dale Benson rightfully steals the scene as Erronius, the man who has been abroad (a broad?) for 20 years searching for his abducted children.
It is a challenge to do "Forum" in the round, where there are no doors to slam or hide behind, and so the classic chase scene doesn't quite work; there are a few contrived blocking moments to make up for the lack of doors. Thomas M. Ryan's scenic design is serviceable, with suspended arches and benches, but the pastel pink and blue colors clash with the warm hues used by costume designer Nancy Missimi, who obviously had a blast costuming the scantily clad courtesans. The courtesans' choreography by Ron Hutchins makes fabulously full use of Sondheim's jive beat and each dancer's strength, not to mention flexibility.
Despite this production's timing issues, the audience on opening night left with a great abdominal workout, having laughed heartily all evening. Just goes to demonstrate that there is little that can hurt such a well-written show. Thanks, Plautus.