A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opens Friday at Rogers City Theater

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, actually many funny things happen, in the musical comedy set to take to the stage for six performances beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m. the Rogers City Theater. Performances will also take place Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2, as well as November 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 11 at 2 p.m.

?Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight!? Broadway?s greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent, and one of the funniest musicals ever written?the perfect escape for life?s troubles. The play is from a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart (M*A*S*H, Oh God! Tootsie) with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Director Megan Harp said a musical comedy is difficult and rewarding for a number of reasons. ?It is much more difficult than drama because timing and delivery are essential,? she said.

ALTHOUGH THE cast has been working on the production for more than a month, and one would think the jokes might be getting old, that is certainly not so, said the director. ?I laugh every time?we all laugh every time, even though we know what is coming,? Harp said. The play is set in the times of the Roman Empire and revolves around the story of a slave named Pseudolus, played by Mike Marx.

?He is trying to acquire his freedom by any means necessary. He hasn?t been given a whole lot in life, being a slave, but he has the ability to use his quick wit to finagle situations to work in his favor,? Harp said. 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. The result is a non-stop laugh-fest in which the crafty slave Pseudolus struggles to win the hand of a beautiful, but slow-witted courtesan (Philia) for his young master (Hero) in exchange for his freedom.

Pennie Kelly plays Philia and Charlie Harp is cast as Hero. The cast of 17 also includes Karl W. Heidemann, Donna Klein, Wesley Eagleson, Ed Perrault, Chris Flewelling, Andrea Shadbolt, Elaine Heidemann, Charlotte Heidemann, Danielle Farmer, Val Schalk, Bob Starnes, Riconda Lamb and Sheela Welch Allum. An

d recreating the role of Erronius, a part he first played more than 40 years ago, is 94-year-old Sid Nadolsky. Karl W. Heidemann is the music director while Steve Paull works the soundboard and Steven Paull handles lighting. The set lends itself to the comedy as much is made around gags and puns and interaction of the characters on a bi-level set with many doors. The play originally opened on Broadway in 1962 with Zero Mostel cast in the lead. It ran 964 performances and was turned into a movie in 1966. The show was revived on Broadway in 1972, starring Phil Silvers, and in 1996 with Nathan Lane playing Psuedolus.

HARP ENCOURAGES people to come see the show, which has six performances over the next two weekends. ?It truly has something for everyone. It is truly funny. It is guaranteed to make you laugh,? she said. Tickets are available at the door at the cost of $10 for adults, seniors (60+) for $9, and $6 for students. To reserve tickets, call 734-3861. The theater is completely handicap accessible. This production of the Rogers City Community Theater is made possible by a grant from the Huron Shores Humanities Council.