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One of Broadway’s greatest farces is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent, and one of the funniest musicals ever written. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright, Plautus, with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a nonstop laugh fest in which Pseudolus, a crafty slave, struggles to win the hand of a beautiful, but slow-witted, courtesan named Philia for his young master, Hero, in exchange for freedom. The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors and a showgirl or two.
This unforgettable, hysterical musical allows a terrific ensemble of comedic actors to shine – “something for everyone, a comedy tonight!”
The Loveland Stage Company is proud to present A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum! This hysterical musical comedy promises “something for everyone” with catchy tunes like “ComedyTonight,””EverybodyOughttoHaveaMaid,”and”PrettyLittlePicture.” JoinPseudolus,a slave, as he goes through one farcical situation after another in order to earn his freedom, with mistak- en identities, old situations, new complications, and nothing portentous or polite! Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight!
John Sloan (Director)
The rehearsals for Forum are keeping us all in stitches, and it always feels good to laugh. The rehears- als remind me of vaudeville. Mounting a major musical comedy is a pretty big undertaking for anyone and I am proud to say that John Sloan has certainly stepped up to the plate. John is a very talented actor with a great deal of experience.
This being his first time directing, he has brought together a talented, fun, and hard working cast. Then you add Margie, who always delivers great routines – this time funny ones. Carissa on costumes, Jill Gornet learning (and doing a beautiful job) as my co-producer, and we welcome back John Nixon as Musical Director. This show will put a smile on your face. You don’t want to miss it!
Pat Furterer (Co-producer)
Being on the stage is pure bliss! And being back at Loveland feels like coming home! LSC has been so welcoming; it is always a blessing getting cast in a show here. The caliber of talent is better than some of the touring companies for Broadway. This current cast of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is no exception. I am proud to be part of this cast and help make the director’s, John Sloan’s, vision come to life. With the variety of shows chosen each season, every actor is given the abil- ity to try something new and broaden their technique and horizons to reach for something more. The friendships that I have made through the shows I have been in at LSC are life-long. We are a family and go above and beyond to support each other on the stage and in life.
Denise Schnieders (Gymnasia)
Forum is such a fun show, I am truly grateful to be able to have the chance to be a part of this great production! Pseudolus is such an amazing role, and played by an actor of such….well, I’ll let Prologus finish that line. The character is really a pleasure to play; he has so many levels. There is the man trying to gain his freedom, the caregiver of a naive young man, and the trickster that just can’t help cause a little mischief. Being able to work with this talented cast and crew, fantastic choreography, and brave director has been a dream come true!
Michael Kiser (Pseudolus)
The Characters in Loveland Stage Company’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
The characters in Loveland Stage Company’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum are hilarious. The writers, Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, who were inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Titus Maccius Plautus (254–184 BC), use names that have a meaning related to the personality of each character in the musical, such as:
- Pseudolus: A Roman slave, who seeks to win freedom by helping his master win the love of a beautiful courtesan. The name Pseudolus means “Faker”. Played by Micheal Kiser.
- Hero: A Roman citizen and owner of Pseudolus. The person with the name Hero in classical mythology is a being of great strength and courage. Played by Benjamin Johnson.
- Philia: A virgin courtesan and Hero’s love interest. Her name is also a homophone of the Latin word “Filia,” which means daughter. Played by Adrianna Boris.
- Hysterium: The chief slave in the house of Hero’s father. Hysterium is Latin for “Hysterical”, or “Anxious”, the suffix “-um” makes the name neuter, and the character’s gender is often mistaken throughout the musical. Played by Matt Lovell.
- Senex: Hero’s father is a henpecked Roman senator living in a less fashionable suburb of Rome. Senex is Latin for “old man”. Played by Gary Glass.
- Domina: Hero’s mother. A manipulative, shrewish woman who is loathed by even her husband. Domina is Latin for “mistress”. Played by Susan Schapiro.
- Marcus Lycus: A purveyor of courtesans, who operates from his house on stage left of Senex. The name Marcus Lycus is based on Lycus, the pimp in Plautus’s Poenulus. Played by Ken Macke.
- Miles Gloriosus: A captain in the Roman army to whom Marcus Lycus has promised Philia. Miles Gloriosus is Latin for “boastful soldier”. Played by Tom Morris.
- Erronius: Senex’s elderly neighbor in the house on stage right, who has spent the past twenty years searching for his two children, kidnapped by pirates. Erronius is Latin for “wandering”. Played by Tom Cavano.
- Gymnasia: A courtesan from the house of Lycus with whom Pseudolus falls in love. Gymnasia is Greek for “Athletic”, with the connotation of nakedness. Played by Denise Schnieders.
- Tintinabula: A jingling, bell-wearing courtesan in the house of Lycus. Tintinabula is Latin for “Bells”. Played by Kiya Fix.
- Vibrata: A wild, vibrant courtesan in the house of Lycus. Vibrata is Latin for “Vibrant”. Played by Bobby Jo Swearingen.
- Geminae: Twin courtesans in the house of Lycus. Geminae is Latin for “Twins”. Played by Megan Archibald and Jenna Schroeder.
- Panacea: A courtesan in the house of Lycus. A face that can hold a thousand promises and a body that stands behind each promise. Panacea is Greek for “Cure All”. Played by Alex Farmer.
- Proteans: Choristers who play multiple roles (slaves, citizens, soldiers, and eunuchs). Played by Jonathan Eckman, Vincent Eldridge and Tyler Ray.
Tickets are available for evening performances at 7:30 pm on March 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 or matinee performances at 3:00 pm on March 5, 12 and 19. To order tickets, please visit our website at www.lovelandstagecompany.org. All performances are held at the Loveland Stage Company Theater, 111 South Second Street, Loveland, Ohio 45140.
