Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • March 30, 2011 ‘Forum’ production features broad comedy, great songs by Dennis Seuling “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” the current production at Millburn’s Paper Mill Playhouse, underscores the word “comedy” in the term musical comedy. For a long time, shows like “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” and “Miss Saigon” emphasized operatic, epic plots over light comedy. “...Forum” was written in the grand tradition of farce, with music and lyrics provided by Stephen Sondheim. In the opening number, “Comedy Tonight,” probably one of the best in all of American musical comedy, the audience is told by Pseudolus (Paul C. Vogt) that a comedy will be presented for its delectation and the entire cast comes on stage. The setting is ancient Rome. All of the action takes place near three buildings: the house of Marcus Lycus (Stephen Berger), a buyer and seller of courtesans; the home of Senex (Greg Vinkler), his overbearing wife Domina (Beth McVey), their son, Hero (Justin Bowen), chief servant Hysterium (John Scherer), and Hero’s slave, Pseudolus; and the abode of Erronius (Chet Carlin), an elderly citizen away searching for his son Paul C. Vogt (far left) and the cast of ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the and daughter, who were kidnapped by pirates Forum.’ many years ago. Hero has fallen in love with Philia (Chelsea Krombach), is like maneuvering a cruise ship through the canals of but she has been purchased by the Roman soldier, Miles Venice. There are many actors on stage scurrying about, Gloriosus (Stephen R. Buntrock). Pseudolus makes a deal making entrances and exits that must be precise to work with his master: In exchange for bringing Philia and Hero and get laughs. The cast is definitely up to the challenge. together, Pseudolus will be granted his freedom. There is a great deal of leeway to be expansive, and the The show contains myriad plot turns filled with jokes, actors have fun with this broad style of acting. slapstick, and sight gags, most of which land solidly despite The songs are catchy and witty. This was the first show the fact that the show is close to 50 years old. for which Sondheim wrote both lyrics and music (he had In the original Broadway production, Zero Mostel previously written only the lyrics for “West Side Story” played Pseudolus in his legendary larger-than-life manner. and “Gypsy”) and his trademark cleverness can be heard in Vogt follows in that tradition, belting out the songs with such tunes as “Lovely,” which pokes fun at Philia’s lack of a rich baritone while bouncing from one comic escapade intellect; “Free,” in which Pseudolus enumerates the bento another with joviality and a mischievous twinkle. He can be subservient, impish, sympathetic, or terrified with equal ease, as the plot demands, and is a fine clown. A farce depends on split-second timing, and director Mark Waldrop manages to realize every laugh from the Burt Shevelove/Larry Gelbart book. Blocking this show efits and detriments of living as a free man; and the show-stopping “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid,” which details the advantages of having a live-in female servant. As performed by Senex, Pseudolus, Lycus, and Hysterium, the song is a delightful romp and suggests an old-fashioned vaudeville routine, complete with built-in encore. The audience hears about Miles Gloriosus a lot, so when he makes his appearance late in Act II, there is a sense of anticipation. Buntrock plays Miles as a man who would be the first to herald his own magnificence. He throws around commands, makes lesser mortals quake in his presence, and looks regal in his purple-plumed helmet and cloak. In both of his numbers, his booming baritone completes the image. McVey received one of the biggest laughs at the opening night performance when she stepped on stage. Her Domina is away visiting her mother most of Act I as assorted shenanigans involving her husband and Philia are afoot, so when she makes her appearance, there is an audible “oh” in the audience. McVey halts abruptly on hearing this, turns to the audience, Way to the and stares witheringly in a moment that brings to mind Jack Benny’s comic takes. Perfect. Kristine Bendul, Chondra L. Profit, Anne Otto, Lara Seibert, Kristine Covillo, and Liz McKendry play Marcus Lycus’ courtesans, adding considerable eye candy. They don’t do much besides undulate, but that’s okay. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Form” will run through April 10. Performances are Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 1:30 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $92, and may be purchased by calling (973) 376-4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse box office on Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www. papermill.org. State Line 375 State Highway 17 North, Mahwah Open 24 Hours, 7 Days Join Us For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner The Best Got Better! SAKURA-BANA JAPANESE SEAFOOD CUISINE Fundraiser to Aid Our Friends in Japan Sunday, April 3 • 10am-4pm Monday, April 4 • 4pm-8pm 50% of our restaurant proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross. sale in our restaurant will be donated also. Thank you for your support! Join us! 43 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood 201-447-6525 • www.sakurabana.com is pleased to announce a Diner - Restaurant 201-529-3353 Now Serving Cocktails, Espresso & Cappuccino $ 00 On $10.00 and over. With this coupon only. 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