A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum by Sondheim - Lakeshore Players

(Originally posted on Minnesota Theater Love)

I will classify myself as a HUGE Sondheim fan - and I'm not talking about the size of my belly. However "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" has never been on the top of my list of Sondheim shows to see. Perhaps I have watched the film one too many times, and just can't deal with the 1966 comedy stylings of Zero Mostel and Phil Silvers (along with a very young Michael Crawford, and a future Doctor - Jon Pertwee), or the fact that the film has seven songs, while the original 1962 Broadway Cast recording has 15, and the 1996 Revival has 16 songs. I mean - why watch a musical if more than half the songs are cut?

But I am getting a bit sidetracked - which is fitting because this classic comedy has multiple plots that are all told in a fast, furious, and funny way. I had no problem following the action, and I doubt you will either. And there I went getting sidetracked again. So, why is the show not on the top of my list to see? I fear that it would be dated? Why did it take me so long to finally see this show on stage? I don't know. And why this production? Well, I have worked with and seen the work of some of the lead actors, the theater is near, and I wanted a good laugh.

So back to the point...the show, multiple plots, funny, no more sidetra-(look a squirrel)...The basic plot is about a slave named Pseudolus - played incredibly well by Christopher Teipner. He wants to gain his freedom and will do almost anything to get it. This involves helping his master Hero (Scott Ragan looking adorable, and sounding great) fall in love with Philia - the virgin who happens to live next door in a house of ill repute (and played by Ellie Peterson). Just this simple thing creates chaos - disguises, outrageous stories, songs, running around, chases, songs, dances, and more songs. Did I mention songs? This cast of 19 sang the heck out of this score - the first show Sondheim had on Broadway in which he wrote the music and the lyrics. The show opens with the well known "Comedy Tonight" which sets the stage for what is about to happen. Then we have tender love songs like "Lovely" and "Love, I Hear", and even "Pretty Little Picture." We have great comedy songs like "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid" (and it's two encores), "Impossible" and even the "Funeral Sequence." I have to say that Ellie Peterson stands out with Philia's second act song "That'll Show Him," and Domina (played by Jacleen Olson) has a great song at the top of act two - "That Dirty Old Man." One of the highlights though was watching the amazing Steven Meerdink (from Minneapolis Musical Theatre fame) kicking butt in his song "I'm Calm." He has a great voice and total control of the stage when he is on. Watching him and Teipner interact was a pure simple joy. They both are so skilled at finding the beats in comedy, hitting them consistently, and being "ON" all the time.

The show is made of fast moving bits of classic comedy - slapstick, broad humor with some bawdy touches. For the most part, it all works. A few seemed to fall short today - but I was at a Sunday Matinee (Mother's Day) and the house was a bit quiet. I say that because as much as I enjoyed the show and the energy rolling off that stage, I can only imagine how much more frantic and fun it would be with an energetic, full house. I felt that the house may have also been the cause of a seemingly mismatched energy on stage. While Teipner, Meerdink, and Craig Turino (playing Miles Gloriosus) all had a great big energy that was consistent with the show, I didn't feel that the energy was matched by the rest of the cast. However the whole cast did a fantastic job of being on, clearly having fun, and of finding the balance between being in/staying in character, and breaking the fourth wall to play to the audience.  Sure, there are always one or two actors who will do everything they can to steal focus and upstage (especially in a broad comedy like this show) but as a cast, they were great. The voices were strong and really good with each song. The orchestra was above and behind the stage which made them a bit hard to hear at times. Teipner has a great voice for this role (having played it a few times before he knows what to do with the part, and does it so well) with some great booming higher notes. Meerdink was fantastic. I also have to mention Mike Brown (Senex), Nate Otto (one of the Proteans who was a joy to watch), Dan Patton (Lycus), and Alan Cloud. Cloud played Erronious and stole every moment he was on stage. Part of that is his character, but a lot of that was how he played the old senile neighbor, as well as the solid direction.

The show runs at Lakeshore Players Theatre in White Bear Lake through May 15th. If you can go, I would go. It is a very fun show with some really good, solid, and very funny performances. Plus, the theater itself is just charming and intimate. Even though it is not handicap accessible, and it has some issues I have a soft spot for this theatre that sits in an old church. I have done a few shows there and have seen numerous shows there. While there are some issues with the space, I hold it dear to my heart. At the same time I am looking forward to the new space that they are raising money to build!


One last note: Though this is not posted on the website (as far as I can see), the space is a cologne/perfume free zone. I find it odd that this is only posted in the restroom (as far as I know) as it might be best if it was posted on the website, the tickets, etc.