Funny 'Forum' lands laughs
BUTLER TWP - One word for the latest Musical Theatre Guild production: Depends
Seriously, the opening night's performance Friday this was the hardest I have laughed at a show in years. You had better come prepared.
It is not often than a 40-something woman can sit next to her 14-year-old son and share a few laughs. For him it wasn't even all about the scantily clad beautiful Courtesans either. He was laughing hysterically at a cast of friends having the time of their life on stage.
Phil Ball expertly cast this show in which chemistry was not an issue. These characters, and I mean characters, all clicked and went full tilt the entire show. There were a few minor snafus that went over the heads of those with a less critical eye.
Bob Dandoy and Dennis Casey set the tone for this silly and fun romp to the forum which opened with "Comedy Tonight," an excellent number with the cast.
Joel Richardson. who plays Hero, does a sweet and silly job on "Love I Hear" where he croons and swoons about the feeling of being in love.
Dandoy. who plays Pseudolus. is in most of the numbers and shares a fun, energetic number with young Richardson in "Free" where they sing about the merits of slavery versus freedom and come to a surprising conclusion.
"The House of Marcus Lycus" is expertly executed by Chuck McMichael, who portrays Lycus, and his bevy of bodacious beauties. The gals had more moves than a bucket of rattlesnakes and were quite the scene stealers.
Kelsey Kobil's clear, sweet voice and her ease with melodramatics makes "Lovely" a pleasure to watch and listen to.
The quartet of Jerry Johnson, Bill Geibel, Dandoy and McMichael capably rocks "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid." Friday night's audience was howling with delight at the choreography, the catchy lyrics and their delivery.
Dennis Casey's entrance as Miles is nothing short of show stopping, and the show does stop even while the audience roars with laughter.
Casey is shameless in his role of the grand captain. His sense of humor and deadpan delivery are a delight.
Nedra Casey and Ron McKissick have smaller roles but garner their own share of big laughs.
The trio of Proteans Justin Anderson, Bradley Giffiths and Derek Kaufman are quite amusing in their roles which include Eunuchs and Soldiers.
And did I mention the girls? Gold, glitzy and lithe, these six sexy sirens Taylor Green, Haley Smith, Amanda Wolfe, Shannon McCarren, Whitney Angeloni and Whitney Jenkins almost make this a PG-13 production.
I'm hard pressed to pluck something negative from this production. The worst thing I can say about this show is that it is only one weekend long.
But I know I'll still be chuckling long after that with some of the images from opening night.
<B>WHAT</B>: The Musical Theatre Guild's "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"<B>WHEN</B>: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 18, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 19<B>WHERE</B>: The Succop Theatre on the Butler Community College Campus<B>TICKETS</B>: $15 for adults and $12 for students. Available at May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday; also at the door<B>INFO</B>: 724-287-8243
