JUNE 18, 2009 ISSUE
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Ashe Little Theater
Ashe Little Theater will be putting on A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum from Thursday to Monday, June 25 to 29, at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday 2:00 p.m. matinee. Photo Submitted.
The beloved musical classic, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, is coming to Ashe Little Theater from Thursday to Monday, June 25 to 29, at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday 2:00 p.m. matinee. The show costs $12 for adults and $5 for children and students.
The musical is based on a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart and Stephen Sondheim wrote the script and music. Sondheim was also behind Sweeny Todd, Company, and West Side Story. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1962 and has had two Broadway revivals, one in 1972 and another in 1996. It has also become a well-known film.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a farcical tale inspired by early Roman Theater. It follows the story of a young slave boy, Pseudolus, who seeks his freedom by helping his master, Hero, to woo Philia, the girl next door. The cast and crew have been brushing up on Roman culture and history in order to give “the background needed to put the punch in the punch line and the "funny" into the foray to the Forum,” said producer Kathy Chefas.
The show will feature a live orchestra and the famous songs Comedy Tonight and Everybody Ought to have a Maid.
Music Director Mark Tomasik said, “This show contains more solo/small group numbers and fewer full chorus songs, giving us a chance to work mostly one-on-one, or in small groups. We have a very energetic and musical cast. It has been a delight working with them on this splendid show.”
“It is a comedic farce all about mistaken identities, puns and trying to pull the wool over someone’s eyes,” said Ashe Arts Council employee and costume designer Rebecca Herman.
Ashe Little Theater is a volunteer organization of local thespians and crew members, but they pack a lot of talent into their “little” theater, and this performance should hold to that same standard.
“From costumes to concessions, stage set to sound and performers to publicity there are lots of people necessary to bring high quality entertainment to the stage. We are always looking for volunteers from the community and with this show will be recruiting for a new group called the Backstage Club within the Little Theatre,” said Chefas, whose job it was to organize all of these volunteer efforts.
Michael Yelton directs the production, with Tomasik as the music director.
Pseudolus, the slave trying to win his freedom, will be played by Michael Bell. Jeff Dreyer and Rachel Nave play Senex and Domina, Hero’s parents, Cameron Current plays the head slave, Hysterium, and Rachel Naggy and Richard Bingham will play the lead romantic roles of Philia and Hero.
“’Forum’ is one of those shows that are just plain fun to direct. There isn't a minute that, even as a director, I'm not laughing,” said Yelton.
For more information and/or tickets, call 336-846-2787.
Want To Go?
Date: Thursday to Monday, June 25 to 29
Time: 7:30 p.m. each night/2:00 p.m. on Sunday
Location: Ashe Civic Center
Cost: $12 for adults/$5 for children and students
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