Current Production

Woodstock Musical Theatre Company - Proudly Presents

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Woodstock Musical Theatre Company announces the cast and staff for their Spring 2008 production, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, to be performed at the Woodstock Opera House.

April 4 - 26, 2008

(Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm)

"Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight!" Broadway’s greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written – the perfect escape from life’s troubles. "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. The result is a non-stop laugh-fest in which a crafty slave (Pseudolus) struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan (Philia) for his young master (Hero), in exchange for freedom. With its unforgettable zany characters, a hysterical, perfectly constructed book by Larry Gelbart (of "MASH" and "City Of Angels" fame) and Burt Shevelove, and witty Stephen Sondheim songs, "Forum" allows a brilliant ensemble of comedic actors to shine.

"It's funny, true nonsense! A merry good time!" - Herald Tribune.

"A good, clean, dirty show! Brings back belly laughs!" –Time.

Artistic Director – Robert Riner

Musical Director - Virginia Zymonas

Choreographer – Beth Davis Johnson

Production Coordinator – Elaine Riner

Tickets are available NOW!

The box office is open Monday thru Saturday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

You may order tickets over the phone or check availability by calling 815-338-5300

FORUM Fri, Apr 4 2008 at 8:00 PM Buy Tickets

FORUM Sat, Apr 5 2008 at 8:00 PM Buy Tickets

FORUM Sun, Apr 6 2008 at 3:00 PM Buy Tickets

FORUM Fri, Apr 11 2008 at 8:00 PM Buy Tickets

FORUM Sat, Apr 12 2008 at 8:00 PM Buy Tickets

FORUM Sun, Apr 13 2008 at 3:00 PM Buy Tickets

FORUM Fri, Apr 18 2008 at 8:00 PM Buy Tickets

FORUM Sat, Apr 19 2008 at 8:00 PM Buy Tickets

FORUM Sun, Apr 20 2008 at 3:00 PM Buy Tickets

FORUM Fri, Apr 25 2008 at 8:00 PM Buy Tickets

FORUM Sat, Apr 26 2008 at 8:00 PM Buy Tickets

Staff List | Cast List | Cast Photos | Story Synopsis | Press Photos

Press Release |Press Reviews |Rehearsal Photos | Production Photos

STAFF LIST

Artistic Director Robert Riner

Co-Production Coordinators Elaine Riner & Kathie Comella

Technical Coor. / Stage Manager Elaine Riner

Musical Director Virginia Zymonas

Choreographer Beth Davis Johnson

Light Designer Rick Amundsen

Set Designer John Zuiker

Set Construction Foreman Kent Wilson

Co- PC / Costume Coordinator Kathie Comella

Makeup, Hair & Wig Design Virginia Zymonas

Set Dresser / Scenic Artist Erin Denk

Light Designer Rick Amundsen

Properties Technician
Mary Beth and Nora Brown

Pianist
Gloria Peetz

Sound Board Operator
TBA

Light Board Operator Greg "Norm" Boyd

Cast List

Be a part of our Cast - Audition on January 27th and 28th, 2008 - DETAILS HERE!

Cast List
Prolongus / Pseudous		Kyle McCoy
Senex		Sandy Rutherford
Domina		Donna Badtke
Hero		Brendan Gaughan
Hysterium		Jim Crow
Erronius		Danny Malone
Miles Gloriosus		Kevin Goss
Lycus		Joe Weyland
Philia		Jen Jersey
Courtesans
Ellen Bellairs		Brenda Chesley
Beth Davis Johnson		Ann Dowd
Bridget Kuehnert		Maggie McCord
Proteans
Jose Araoz		Chris Kelecius

CAST PHOTOS

Jose Araoz	Donna Badtke	Ellen Bellairs
Brenda Chesley	Jim Crow	Beth Davis Johnson
Ann Dowd	Brendan Gaughan	Kevin Goss
Jen Jersey	Chris Kelecius	Bridget Kuehnert
Danny Malone	Maggie McCord	Kyle McCoy
Charles Rutherford	Joe Weyland

PRESS PHOTOS

Full Resolution color printable images are available for download from this website.

Click on desired photo proof to view Full Res. images.

All photos are color, 300 DPI with less then 6% compression jpeg format and Print sized at minimum 3”x4”.

Joe Weyland, Brenda Chesley, Ellen Bellairs, Kyle McCoy
Kyle McCoy, Jim	Sandy Rutherford, Donna Badtke

Jen Jersey, Brendan Gaughan	Sandy Rutherford, Jen Jersey
Jen Jersey, Kyle McCoy, Brendan Gaughan	Danny Malone, Kyle McCoy
Danny Malone, Jim Crow	Brenda Chesley, Beth Davis Johnson, Ellen Bellairs, Ann Dowd, Maggie McCord, Kyle McCoy, Bridget Kuehnert

STORY SYNOPSIS

The musical centers around the denizens of three adjacent houses in ancient Rome. In the center is the house of Senex, who lives there with wife Domina, son Hero and several slaves, including head slave Hysterium and the musical's main character Pseudolus, who wishes to buy, win, or steal his freedom. He is the slave of young Hero, son of Senex and Domina. One of the neighboring houses is a brothel run by Marcus Lycus; the other houses the ancient Erronius, who is searching for his long-lost children (stolen in infancy by pirates).

One day, Senex and Domina go on a trip and leave Pseudolus in charge of Hero. Hero confides in Pseudolus that he is in love with the lovely Philia, one of the courtesans in the brothel next door. Pseudolus promises to help him win Philia's love in exchange for his freedom. Unfortunately (as the two find out when they visit the business), Philia has been promised to a pre-eminent soldier, Captain Miles Gloriosus, who is on his way to pick up his prize. Pseudolus, an excellent liar, uses her cheery disposition to convince Lycus that she has picked up a plague from Crete, which causes its victims to smile endlessly in its terminal stages. By offering to isolate her in Senex's house, he is able to put Philia and Hero together, and the two fall in love. Erronius also makes one of his sporadic appearances, revealing that his children both wear a ring depicting a gaggle of geese.

Events quickly accumulate: Philia falls in love with Hero, Miles arrives, Pseudolus hides Philia to prevent her from going with her new master, Senex and Domina return from their trip early, Pseudolus pretends to be Lycus to Miles Gloriosus, and finally convinces Hysterium to help him by dressing in drag and pretending to be Philia, now "dead" from the plague. Unfortunately, Miles Gloriosus has been stationed in Crete, and—with the ruse revealed—the main characters run for their lives, resulting in a madcap chase across the stage. Unfortunately, Miles' troops are able to round up everyone, but Erronius returns bearing a deus ex machina: both Miles and Philia are wearing the gaggle-of-geese rings, making them not only his children but siblings. Philia weds Hero, Pseudolus gets his freedom, Erronius gets his children, and a general happy ending prevails.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2008 9:00 a.m.

Woodstock Musical Theatre Company

Contact: Laurie Faith Gibson-Aiello
Phone: 815-263-7658
Email: GibbyPhD@mindspring.com

Web: www.WoodstockTheatre.com

WMTC ANNOUNCES CAST OF

"A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM"

"Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight!" Broadway's greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written – the perfect escape from life's troubles. Presented by the Woodstock Musical Theatre Company, and directed by Bob Riner of Woodstock, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000 year old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville.

The result is a non-stop laugh-fest in which a crafty slave named Pseudolus, played by the talented Kyle McCoy of Woodstock, struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan, Philia as played by Jen Jersey of Cary, for his young master, Hero, played by Brendan Gaughan of Crystal Lake, in exchange for freedom. Hero’s hapless parents are Senex, played by Sandy Rutherford of Hebron and Domina, played by Donna Badtke of Genoa City, Wisc. Aiding and abetting Pseudolus in his schemes is the house slave Hysterium played by Jim Crow of Rockford. Their next door neighbor, Lycus, is portrayed by Joe Weyland of Woodstock. His courtesans-for-sale are played by Ellen Bellairs, Brenda Chesley, Ann Dowd, Beth Davis Johnson, Bridget Kuehnert and Maggie McCord. The arrogant Roman captain, Miles Gloriosus is portrayed by Kevin Goss of Lake in the Hills. Danny Malone of Crystal Lake plays Erroneous, the old man searching for his children, stolen in infancy by pirates. The proteans, who portray all the extra roles, are Jose Araoz of Cary and Chris Kelecius of Lake in the Hills.

Musical direction is by Virginia Zymonas and choreography is by Beth Davis Johnson, both of Woodstock. Elaine Riner of Woodstock will stage manage, with Rick Amundsen of Woodstock designing the lights. Mary Beth Brown and Nora Brown of Woodstock will design the props.

With its unforgettable zany characters, a hysterical, perfectly constructed book by Larry Gelbart (of “MASH” and “City Of Angels” fame) and Burt Shevelove, and witty Stephen Sondheim songs, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” allows a brilliant ensemble of comedic actors to shine. Opens Friday, April 4, at the Woodstock Opera House and continues weekends until April 26, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM. To order tickets, call the Woodstock Opera House box office at 815-338-5300

For more information visit our Web Site, www.woodstocktheatre.com and click on our current production link.

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PRESS REVIEWS

REHEARSAL PHOTOS

Full Resolution color printable images are available for download from this website. Please Click on* desired photo proof to view Full Res. images.* All photos are color, 300 DPI with less then 6% compression jpeg format and Print sized at minimum 3”x4” or 4"x6".

PRODUCTION PHOTOS