Forum Is Physical Comedy Gold

By James E. Trainor III
Photos by Bob Goodfellow

The cast of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Coralville - A beloved (if naughty) modern classic, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum does indeed have "something for everyone:" bawdy comedy, shameless buffoonery, conniving slaves, cowardly pimps, beautiful dancers, clever songs, and a nonstop stream of jokes. City Circle's production uses a lovely set with colorful costumes, excellent lighting, and some truly wonderful acting from a great cast directed by Patrick Du Laney. As the opening number tells us, there's nothing serious or somber to be had from Forum, but that doesn't mean it's done without care and precision. Du Laney's cast takes comedy seriously, and a number of rather complicated sequences are done with a great deal of skill and energy, to hilarious results.

The musical, by Steven Sondheim, Burt Shevelove, and Larry Gelbart, takes the Roman farces of Plautus for its source material. At the beginning we are introduced to the householders of the three houses onstage: the squabbling middle-aged couple, Senex and Domina (Steve Rosse and Robyn Calhoun); the confused old man, Erronius (Kevin Burford), who is searching for his lost children, and Marcus Lycus (Luis A. Sierra), who is master of whorehouse. The set, by Shelly Ford, is simple and very effective; there are lots of entrances and exits, to allow for the classic farce trope of running in and out of doors, and there is plenty of room downstage for the bulk of the action. The lights, by Drew Bielinski, work well with the set, allowing for some great visual gags, as well as an appropriate tone for every moment. The way the colors play with that of the set and costumes (by Jean Grewe) shows particular care and forethought.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Opens May 10

Coralville - "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, directed by Patrick Du Laney, opens May 10 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. The show runs two weekends (May 10-12 and May 17-18).

Broadway's great farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written -- the perfect escape from life's troubles.

Auditions for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Iowa City/Coralville - "Director Patrick DuLaney and music director Jason Sifford will be holding Auditions for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Saturday, Feb. 9 from 1:00 - 4:30 pm at the Auditorium in the lower level of the Coralville Public Library and Sunday, Feb. 10 from noon - 5:00 pm in Meeting Room C of the Iowa City Public Library

Auditioneers need not attend both days. Roles for adults and mature high school students are available. Please bring a comic song to sing. Sheet music, MP3, or CD is acceptable. No monologues are necessary. Cold readings will be provided. Bring a picture and basic theatrical resume. Contact CityCircleForum@gmail.com to schedule an audition time.

Forum runs May 10-19 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts."

(Source: City Circle newsletter)