Clever illumination aids 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'

ALBANY - It is the subtle elements of a play that set it apart from previous productions. From tricks in lighting to gestures conjured up by the performers, every element adds a distinct flavor.

The flavor of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" could be compared to a favorite ice cream, dressed up with plenty of nuts and chocolate sauce.

The Broadway musical opens at 8 p.m. Friday, July 27, at Albany Civic Theater, 111 First Ave., downtown.

Additional performances are at 8 p.m. July 28, Aug. 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18; and at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 5 and 12.

One of the best nuts-and-chocolate-sauce elements audience members should look for has to do with the lighting.

Bill Nelson, who regularly lights productions for Albany Civic Theater and Corvallis Community Theatre, added clouds to the sky above the "Forum" set.

Although many shows use this kind of element to create an illusion, Nelson has taken the effect one step further and makes the clouds actually move across the sky.

How did Nelson accomplish it? Well, that's a theater secret, he said.

The set for "Forum" has also taken a turn from the static neutral of traditional Rome to something befitting the play's vaudeville musical style.

"We started out with house facades and added pillars and props," Director Barbara Osterholm said. "When you are dealing with Rome, it's pretty basic, earth-tone colors. You have to do something to dress it up."

That dress-up includes soft hues and ivy creeping up the building facades at stage left (right for the audience). The color isn't so bold as to be out of place, and it adds a hint of life to the background for this lively musical.

For those unfamiliar with "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," the play is a fast-paced farce that combines the traditions of the old Roman playwrights with vaudeville.

A crafty slave (Pseudolus) struggles to win the hand of a beautiful, slow-witted courtesan (Philia) for his young master (Hero), in exchange for freedom.

As the crafty slave Pseudolus, Bill Brown will capture the audience's attention. His large voice and presence on stage immediately draws attention in the opening lines: "Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight!"

Pseudolus sings true in that opening number. The rest of the cast is equally comical from movements to facial expressions.

Among them is Cameron McFee as Hysterium. McFee just finished directing the West Albany High School spring musical "The King and I," and moved right into "Forum" as part of the cast.

"I figured if I have to be directing them for a job, I should experience what it's like to be in one," McFee said.

Although there is a great deal more pressure as an actor, he noted, McFee put a lot of thought into the role of Hysterium. He draws on characters like Niles Crane from the television series "Frasier" and Cosmo Kramer from "Seinfeld" for his mannerisms and movements.

Additional cast members include: Bill Maier as Senex; Jillian Bower as Domina; Cameron Graham as Hero; Alison Nordyke as Philia; Dennis Glidden as Erronius; Brad Townsend as Miles Gloriosus; Jeremiah Allen as Lycus; Melinda Valencia as Tintinabula, The Courtesan; Kaylie Chytraus as Panacea, The Courtesan; Bekka Hollander as The Geminae, The Courtesan; Brittany Mills as The Geminae, The Courtesan; Shauna Keifuik as Vibrata, The Courtesan; Kaitlin Fitzgerald as Gymnasia, The Courtesan; Sierra Hodges as The Courtesan; Andrew Knoy as a Protean; Kris Mills as a Protean; and Sarah Roth as a Protean.

The crew includes: Director Barbara Osterholm; Assistant Director Kay Roth; Vocal Director Dean Kennedy; Musical Director Jim Guynn; Conductor Cheryl Leckie; Choreographer Jan Boucot; Stage Manager Arlin Roler; Prop Design Sarah Roth; Head of Set Construction John Osterholm; Prop Master Brianna Leckie; Dressers Kim Mainord, Krystine Scheafer and Sarah Melcher; Poster/program artist Carri Moffatt; Light Designer Bill Nelson; and costumes by The Costume Loft.

Orchestra members include: Connor Dick on alto sax and clarinet; Becky Douglas on flute and piccolo; Jim Ford on percussion; Jim Guynn on baritone sax and clarinet; Debbie Hackleman on flute and piccolo; Erica Hall on flute, piccolo and alto sax; Susan Hobbs on clarinet; Tom Holling on trumpet; Ben Lake on trombone; Stephanie Long on keyboard; Casey Ojua on trombone; Jerry Oryshchyn on trumpet; Andrea Recek on keyboard; Becky Roth on clarinet; Cathy Sams on keyboard; Cecilia Stalp on clarinet and tenor sax; Greg Stalp on bass; Curtis Stuart on baritone sax and clarinet; Dow Yeh on keyboard; Nick Pierce on trumpet; and Bill Howard on trumpet.

CHECK IT OUT

WHAT: "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," a musical by Burt Shevelove, Larry Gelbart and Stephen Sondheim..

WHEN: 8 p.m. July 27, 28, Aug. 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18; and at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 5 and 12.

WHERE: Albany Civic Theater, 111 First Ave., downtown.

TICKETS: $12 general admission and $9 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at Sid Stevens Jewelers in Albany, Rice's Pharmacy in Corvallis or ACT box office 45 minutes before curtain.