TEMECULA – The Temecula Valley Players will present “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum’ in the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, June 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 2 p.m.
Bring out the togas because “There’s something for everyone, a comedy tonight.” Those lyrics are sung by Pseudolus, a crafty Roman slave who struggles to win the hand of Philia for his young master, Hero, in exchange for his freedom. The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors and a showgirl or two or three or four or five or more.
Join Temecula Valley Players for this Mel Brooks-style, nonstop laugh fest that takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2,000 year-old comedies of Roman playwright, Plautus from 254–184 BC, with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. This musical marks the first Broadway production for which Stephen Sondheim wrote both music and lyrics and features a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. “A Funny Thing…” has enjoyed several Broadway and West End revivals and was made into a successful film starring the original lead of the stage musical, Zero Mostel. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” opened on Broadway May 8, 1962, at the Alvin Theatre, and transferred to the Mark Hellinger Theatre and the Majestic Theatre, where the show closed Aug. 29, 1964, after 964 performances and eight previews. It was revised on Broadway in 1972 and successfully again in 1996 starring Nathan Lane.
As Temecula Valley Players Re-Launch Season continues, this show will bill as the last show of their 39th season. The show will be guided by Terri Miller Schmidt serving as director, with choreography by Summer Betancourt and musical direction by Stacee Tweedlie Willis.
In the starring roles, Pseudolus will be played by Thomas Fisk with a team of comedic supporting characters that include Rossi Smith as Hysterium, Ava Sarnowski as Phila, Peter Varvel as Marcus Lycus, Cole Harvey as Hero, Kit Fortier as Sennex, Sonia Watson as Domina, Jared Kramarsky as Miles Gloriosus and Kevin Alcott as Eronius.
Tickets are on sale for this hilarious musical Roman romp. Bring your toga and wear it with pride. Disclaimer: “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” contains mature subject matter and is not meant to be taken seriously in any way. Parental discretion is advised. Rated PG-13.
Ticket prices range from $18-28 and are available at http://www.temeculatheater.org or by calling 866-653-8696.
Temecula Valley Players is a California nonprofit organization. For more information, visit http://www.TemeculaValleyPlayers.com.
