“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” opens Tuesday

Musical comedy runs through Feb. 21st

February 15, 2016 Reagan Dyer (Student Writer)

Brightly colored lights filter over the plush curtains concealing the stage.  Music from the orchestra wafts through the theatre, bright and lively.  Actors chat backstage, getting into different costume pieces, putting on makeup, and taping microphones.  It is a completely different world behind the curtains; a world that breathes drama and color and life.

After weeks of preparation, the curtains will open on Tuesday, February 16th, at Van Ellis Theater for “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” The show, a farcical comedy, is bound to earn some laughs and leave people scratching their heads in wonder and delight at the many plot twists.   

“A cunning slave concocts a plan to get his freedom that involves tricking essentially everyone he comes across,” says Brenna Sheridan, a sophomore from Weatherford majoring in Musical Theatre, describing the show. Sheridan, who plays Phila, a courtesan who is in love with the slave’s master, says, “The cast and crew have spent so much time and energy preparing this gift to give to an audience. That’s what makes this so special.”

There are many different characters in the show, based off of stock characters used in ancient Roman theatre such as the Slave, the Coward, the Hero, and the Master.

One of them, Marcus Lycus, a buyer and seller of courtesans, is played by Dakota Medlin, a freshman from Granbury majoring in Musical Theatre. “Marcus Lycus [is] a confident coward. He is a very enjoyable character to portray,” says Medlin. Medlin, who looks very colorful in his elaborate costume, is one among many such-dressed actors. The colors of all the fabric are enough to make one’s head spin.

“Students should always support every aspect of college,” Medlin says, in answer to why students should come see the production.  “’Forum’ is a hilarious show and everyone needs a good laugh, especially with the stresses college brings.  Being in this show has been absolutely amazing; there is no place that I would rather be.” 

The musical has a straight run from Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The show closes Sunday, February 21st at 2:00 p.m. 

House opens thirty minutes before show.  General admission is $10.  Tickets for military, seniors, and students are $7.  Tickets for HSU students, staff, and faculty are $5.

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