THEATRE REVIEW: "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" at the Falls Theatre (Wappingers Falls, NY)

     On May 20th, 2023, I saw the 2pm performance of the County Players production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" at the Falls Theatre in Wappingers Falls, New York.  The musical features a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.  This production of "Forum" featured scenic design by Bill Peckham, and was directed by David J. Ringwood.  This was the first regional production of a show I've seen in years.  But it was also my first time seeing "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."  I thought it was a cleverly written show with an intricate score that I've come to associate with Sondheim musicals.  I'm glad I got to see this classic.








     
     The cast of this production included Robert Yarnall (Prologus I, an actor / Pseudolus, slave to Hero); Lisa Delia, Mark Moody, Eero Vaitkus (The Proteans); Philip Corso (Miles Gloriosus, a warrior); Andrea Buergers (Domina, wife of Senex); Bob Williams (Erronius, a citizen of Rome); John Leinung (Senex, a citizen of Rome / Prologus II, an actor); Michael A. Boden (Lycus, a buyer and seller of courtesans); Emma Hempel (Philia, a virgin); Ethan Maslyn (Hero, son of Senex and Domina); Glen M. Morrice (Hysterium, slave to Senex and Domina); Elizabeth Crew (Timtinabula, a courtesan); Karen Hoben (Panacea, a courtesan); Emily Schaffer, Kate Schaffer (The Geminae, courtesans); Laura Seaman (Vibrata, a courtesan); and Connie E. Boden (Gymnasia, a courtesan).  Although I saw this production the day before the final performance, it felt as though the actors were still getting used to their roles--at least toward the beginning of the musical.  As the show went on, they became more enthusiastic and exuberant.  





The marquee of the Falls Theatre (I took this photo).





     The World Premiere of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" took place at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Conneticut from March 31st through April 7th, 1962.  Then there was a second pre-Broadway Tryout Engagement, this time at the National Theatre in Washington D.C., where the show ran from April 11th through 28th, 1962.  After beginning previews on May 2nd, 1962 at the Alvin Theatre (now called the Neil Simon Theatre) in New York City, the Broadway Production opened on May 8th, 1962 and ran through August 29th, 1964.  The First National Tour of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" opened December 25th, 1963 at the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and closed November 14th, 1964 at the Shubert Theatre (now called the CIBC Theatre) in Chicago, Illinois.  








     


     The County Players production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," while not perfect, was a great revelation that decent theatre isn't only found along the Great White Way (or in Chicago's Theatre District).  I would gladly see another show at this venue.  Among the upcoming shows offered at the Falls Theatre include "The Humans" and "Ragtime," neither of which I've seen before.  Hopefully I will be of a less ample girth by them, because the seats at the Falls Theatre are tiny.  Nonetheless, sometimes a little discomfort is worth it to experience great theatre.







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