Play-on Laughs

By John Do, managing editor
Monday, November 6, 2006

The title says it all: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. It's a knee-slapping musical that left my jaws sore, voice box worn out, and abs tired.

Experienced high school actors, a flawless stage crew, and an amazing pit orchestra teamed up with the Academy of the Performing Arts (APA) to reenact the renowned play.

Forum introduces the cast and ancient Roman setting with a musical performance. This well-choreographed overture was an introduction to the play's deliciously rude laugh-out-loud humor and entertaining vaudevillan acts.

The storyline revolves around a love triangle and its unforseen complications. The main character, Pseudolys, appears to be an ordinary slave, but who schemes to help his master, Hero, run away with a Cretan servant, Philia. However, Hero's and Philia's forbidden love is impeded on throughout the play, which causes Pseudolys to plead desperately to work things out in exchange for his freedom. But each conquered obstacle only results in deeper and funnier holes to fall in.

The magic of plays is the connection between the audience and the characters. The actors aren't movie-star celebrities; they are in-the-flesh, regular actors with talent. In Forum , the audience falls in love with the characters' zany personalities and keel-over humor: Pseudolys, the unsuccessful mastermind; Philia, the ditzy servant from Crete; Hero, the heart-before-brains, innocent fool.

It's hard not get enough of the many awkward and hilarious situations. The play is well-written to ensure that every character is entertaining in his or her unique way. Hysterium, perhaps the biggest klutz, is a crowd favorite for his gullibility. Even old man Erronius who occasionally passes by the stage looking for his son and daughter garners some cheers and “Woo-hoos!”

The play ends on a high note with a musical performance. Theatre plays are commonly overshadowed by movies, but taking the time to attend one is rewarding. The Forum is a memorable experience from start to finish, and it's impossible to fully describe the experience of attending plays. The only way to truly understand is by experiencing it yourself.