Courtesans, captains, slaves and eunuchs graced the Performance Place Stage on Saturday, March third to entertain a sold out audience with an outlandish comedy. Drama Studio IV's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum was a great success. A musical by Stephen Sondheim that is based on a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, the production was a display of farce, ridden with puns and sexual innuendos.

A twisted plot and witty songs sent the audience into peals of laughter. Set in ancient Rome, it tells the story of a slave named Pseudolus, who wishes more than anything for freedom. His young master Hero, promises to grant Pseudolus his wish on the condition that the slave will find a way to unite him with the girl he has fallen deeply in love with, and who happens to be a virgin courtesan of the neighborhood brothel owner, Marcus Lycus. Unfortunately the girl, Philia, has already been sold to the egotistical Captain Miles Gloriosus. The plot quickly thickens, but, as complications arise, it becomes apparent that Pseudolus will go to any lengths of trickery in order to unite Hero and Philia and gain his freedom. Not to be overlooked is Erronius, an elderly neighbor played by a special guest, Dr. Bill Tribby, who searches for his long lost children who were kidnapped by pirates at infancy.

The actors of Studio IV were convincing. John Clavier in the role of Pseudolus carried the show with his energy and mischievous smile. Also notable were Rachael Kruk as Philia, with her naïve sweetness, and Matt Lauria who had every making of young Hero, struck by true love. Some of the show's best moments included the opening song "Comedy Tonight," sung by the whole cast, Hero in his solo song, "Love, I Hear," the antics of the Captain's three footsoldiers, as they hastened about the stage, and the occasional and unexpected entrances of Erronius, who, encouraged by Pseudolus to make seven trips around the hills of Rome, might announce "Second time around!" While it could, at times, be sensed that it was not a cast of voice majors, the singing was spirited and generally impressive. The costumes were based upon the Roman period, colorful and elaborate. However, the costumers made embellishments, adding their own wit to the production. Included was a Nike themed courtesan, complete with "You Can Do It" plastered across her rear. The sets, which colorfully reconstructed a Roman neighborhood, brought the show to life. Overall, "A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum" was highly entertaining, the kind of performance that an audience is sorry to see end.

Students should watch for upcoming Drama productions, including Studio IV's "Romeo and Juliet," showing April 19-28, and Studio III's "The Sea Gull," showing April 25-29.

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