Pseudolus, being a faker and schemer, agrees to help his master in return for this freedom. Love-struck Hero confides his love for Philia to his personal slave, Pseudolus, in hopes of finding a way to marry her despite the social barriers. You get used to them pretty easily, and you begin to understand the underlying meanings once the characters reveal themselves.)Īs if falling in love is not difficult enough, Hero and Philia’s social statuses thicken the plot: He is the son of a well-to-do couple (Senex played by Bob Pompeo and Domina played by Ellen Pappas), and she is a would-be courtesan, which is just a polite word for a high-class prostitute - but she is a virgin, which is important. (Note: Don’t let these Greek/Roman names throw you. The music and lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim.Ĭitations aside, “Forum” is a play as much about the theater as it is about two star-crossed lovers (Hero and Philia, played by Cody Pero and Tasha Pepi), who are brought together through the zany and madcap efforts of two slaves, Pseudolus and Hysterium, played by Brent Schlueter and Jonathan Forrester.
#Madcap comedy plays with crossdressing movie
And it was made into a movie in 1966, which by today’s standard did OK at the box office, and it received only one Oscar for Best Music Scoring for an Adaptation. It has been produced by major theater companies around the world, including Australia and Hong Kong. It is a show that has won nine Tony Awards (including Best Musical in 1962) and a slew of other awards in various categories. This is classic comedy theater at its best, and a musical to boot. But like a lot of people, I just didn’t think it was for me.Īfter all - to the ill-informed - it’s a show about ancient Rome and, ah, what else? A forum? A bunch of old guys wrapped in togas debating philosophy? It seems that every theater company in the nation at some time produces this show. Like a lot of people, I’ve heard the name of this show many times.
The hijinks need to be consistent.A funny thing happened to me as I watched “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” at Hendersonville Community Theatre this past weekend. I have to be on top of everyone going in or out. This play is set in a ginormous house with a grand staircase and four or five different entrances. "I imagine the scenes in 'Scooby-Doo' where they run in and out of doors. "Ludwig is a notorious playwright for his hijinks," West said. What is serious, she said, is intricacy and structure behind its scripted chaos. West said the comedy is lighthearted and whimsical, without a lot of serious issues at play. This is not West's first turn with the play: She was an assistant costume designer for a production at Joplin High School. Set in the ailing woman's mansion, the play's actions take turn after turn, with the two actors finding themselves in increasingly awkward situations. When they discover those two nephews are actually nieces, they remain committed to the scam and rely on their acting and makeup skills to see it through. The two actors devise a scheme to pose as Max and Steve in order to make a claim for that inheritance. They discover that an older woman, soon to leave behind a large fortune, is desperately searching for her sister's children, Max and Steve. The plot centers on two Shakespearean actors whose star turns have fallen.
#Madcap comedy plays with crossdressing full
The play, full of madcap action and hijinks, has become popular despite being relatively young. Joplin Little Theatre's production of "Leading Ladies," a cross-dressing farce written by Ken Ludwig, runs through Sunday at the theater. I'm able to not have to worry about anything except actors and making sure it all looks good." "The people we have in tech, lighting, costumes and sound. "It can feel daunting, but I'm lucky because we have an amazing crew," West said. It's the first time she has taken on the role by herself for a full-length show. This time, for the Joplin Little Theatre production of "Leading Ladies," she's directing. 15-Michaela West is often on stage - occasionally as a leading lady.
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