“Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight!” Who can resist that invitation, penned by the famous Broadway songwriter Stephen Sondheim? Festival Theatre invites everyone to see the riotous musical comedy “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” opening this weekend with four performances on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, June 19th, 21st and 22nd.
Boasting a memorable set and a strong cast of energetic actors with powerful singing voices, Festival’s production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” promises to transport willing audiences to a street in ancient Rome for a bawdy farcical adventure sprinkled with burlesque adult humor, and delivered with enough fun and innocence to keep things appropriate for most ages. A favorite since its Broadway debut in 1962, the show, written by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, won several Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Musical. The story was made into a film in 1966, starring Zero Mostel in the lead role of Pseudolus.
Guest Artist Joseph Pyfferoen plays the role of Pseudolus in the Festival Theatre production, which also includes Stephen Pearce as Senex, Deanna Davis as Domina, Jerry Kurek as Hero, Andrew Bradford Benson as Hysterium, Ed Moersfelder as Erronius, Isaac Bont as Miles Gloriosus, Jaclyn Johnson as Lycus, and Millicent Marter as Hero’s love interest, Philia. The cast is rounded out by Kathryn Cesarz, Steven Czajkowski, Gregory Hilleren, Kayla Marie Klammer, Madelyn Lego, and Paul Steffens.
Along with Artistic Director Jaclyn Johnson, the production team is comprised of Mark Baer as director, Neil Powell as musical director, Peter Weber as stage manager/sound design, Kim Murphy in costume design, Fizz Kizer as scenic carpenter, Stephen Pearce in lighting design, Laura Seed in properties, Andrew Bradford Benson as choreographer, David Markson in scenic design, and George Free as percussionist.
“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” opens Thursday, June 19th with two performances, 2:00 and 7:30 pm, and runs in rotating rep through August 16th. Other events and calendar dates to note are as follows: The Fiddle Masters with Brian Wicklund take the stage Friday, June 20th at 8:00 pm, the Opening of the Season Garden Party will celebrate the commencement of Festival’s 25th season on Saturday, June 21st at 6:00 pm and Sew Good Improv returns with Friday night comedy on June 27th, following Music on the Overlook. Corporate sponsors for the 2014 Theatre Series are Amery Regional Medical Center, Chateau St. Croix Winery and Vineyard, Edina Realty, RCU, and Thrivent Financial.
Tickets for “Forum” are $26 for adults and $13.50 for youth. This production is Flex Pass eligible and discounted rates are also available for groups of ten or more. Reservations can be made HERE.
Boasting a memorable set and a strong cast of energetic actors with powerful singing voices, Festival’s production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” promises to transport willing audiences to a street in ancient Rome for a bawdy farcical adventure sprinkled with burlesque adult humor, and delivered with enough fun and innocence to keep things appropriate for most ages. A favorite since its Broadway debut in 1962, the show, written by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, won several Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Musical. The story was made into a film in 1966, starring Zero Mostel in the lead role of Pseudolus.
Guest Artist Joseph Pyfferoen plays the role of Pseudolus in the Festival Theatre production, which also includes Stephen Pearce as Senex, Deanna Davis as Domina, Jerry Kurek as Hero, Andrew Bradford Benson as Hysterium, Ed Moersfelder as Erronius, Isaac Bont as Miles Gloriosus, Jaclyn Johnson as Lycus, and Millicent Marter as Hero’s love interest, Philia. The cast is rounded out by Kathryn Cesarz, Steven Czajkowski, Gregory Hilleren, Kayla Marie Klammer, Madelyn Lego, and Paul Steffens.
Along with Artistic Director Jaclyn Johnson, the production team is comprised of Mark Baer as director, Neil Powell as musical director, Peter Weber as stage manager/sound design, Kim Murphy in costume design, Fizz Kizer as scenic carpenter, Stephen Pearce in lighting design, Laura Seed in properties, Andrew Bradford Benson as choreographer, David Markson in scenic design, and George Free as percussionist.
“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” opens Thursday, June 19th with two performances, 2:00 and 7:30 pm, and runs in rotating rep through August 16th. Other events and calendar dates to note are as follows: The Fiddle Masters with Brian Wicklund take the stage Friday, June 20th at 8:00 pm, the Opening of the Season Garden Party will celebrate the commencement of Festival’s 25th season on Saturday, June 21st at 6:00 pm and Sew Good Improv returns with Friday night comedy on June 27th, following Music on the Overlook. Corporate sponsors for the 2014 Theatre Series are Amery Regional Medical Center, Chateau St. Croix Winery and Vineyard, Edina Realty, RCU, and Thrivent Financial.
Tickets for “Forum” are $26 for adults and $13.50 for youth. This production is Flex Pass eligible and discounted rates are also available for groups of ten or more. Reservations can be made HERE.
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