Signature Theatre’s lovely Sondheim riot
The lively, talented cast of 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' brings new energy to the 1960s Stephen Sondheim musical, playing at the Signature Theatre in Arlington through January 12.
Photo by Christopher Mueller
After the passing of Stephen Sondheim in 2021, there have been many revivals of his works. Now Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, is introducing to new audiences one of the Broadway composer and lyricist’s most ebullient works, the riotous A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
To quote one of the show’s many melodic tunes, the Signature production is “lovely, absolutely lovely.”
Based on farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus, the musical is adroitly directed and choreographed by Matthew Gardiner.
The wonderful melodies commence from the first moment with the overture’s medley of the show’s score, with the live orchestra, conducted superbly by Jon Kalbfleisch.
The sets evoke an idealized ancient Roman street with three houses adorned with statues, columns and tragedy and comedy masks, which remind us of the prologue’s insistence that it will be “tragedy tomorrow, but comedy tonight.”
A quest for freedom
In the farce’s frantic plot, Pseudolus is a slave to a young Roman, Hero, who loves the beautiful Philia from afar. As Pseudolus desires nothing more than his freedom from servitude, he concocts a plan.
If he helps his master win over Philia, he’ll be rewarded with that most precious gift: his own freedom. Unfortunately, Philia has been promised to Miles Gloriosus, a powerful and boastful soldier of the Roman army.
Many may remember Zero Mostel as the clever Pseudolus who starred in the 1962 Tony Award-winning Broadway play, its cast album and the 1966 film version.
The Signature production goes in a very different direction, with actress Erin Weaver assuming the male lead. With energy, panache and gusto, Weaver cajoles and connives in pursuit of her goal of freedom. She has a powerful voice, as witnessed in her duet “Free” with Zachary Keller, who assays a fine Hero.
Weaver adds plenty of humor, too. During one frantic exit and reentrance from the stage, she makes an anachronistic reference about going right around the corner to the local CVS in the Signature Theatre neighborhood.
Standout performances
Kuhoo Verma is similarly excellent portraying the naive Philia, often with a faraway look. Verma lends her operatic voice to the aforementioned song “Lovely” and has a fine moment with Pseudolus and Hero in the delightful trio “Pretty as a Picture.”
A particularly funny duet is Keller’s Hero singing with Senex, his father, played exceptionally well by Christopher Bloch. They sing “Impossible,” each believing it is unfathomable that the other has captured the attention of the beautiful Philia.
Other excellent members of the outstanding cast include a hilarious Mike Millan as Hysterium (often in cahoots with Pseudolus in her antics); a domineering Tracy Lynn Olivera as Domina; a commanding Cameron Loyal as Miles Gloriosus; and Lawrence Redmond and Sherri L. Edelen as Senex’s neighbors, Lycus and Erronius.
After many disguises, antics and chases, a happy ending awaits audiences.
One caveat
This production is excellent entertainment and a spectacular show in every way. Just be aware: This production plays up, rather than tones down, the bawdy comedy at the heart of the play. Grandparents may find it inappropriate for children.
On the other hand, despite its racy humor and silliness, the play has, oddly enough, a welcome educational aspect that applies more to a current audience than the original 1964 theatergoers.
American education has moved away from the classical curriculum once common in mid-twentieth-century America, in which our parents and grandparents studied classical mythology and the Latin language.
Through this musical, younger audience members might be exposed to ancient theater for the first time, since the Sondheim play is based on four of Plautus’ classical comedies: Curculio, Pseudolus, Miles Gloriosus, and Mostellaria.
Additionally, there are references to the classical Greek tragedy Medea, on-stage visual allusions to the mythological flying horse Pegasus, and even actors pantomiming Roman numerals.
More information about and tickets for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, which runs through January 12 at Signature’s MAX Theatre, are available at sigtheatre.org (not signaturetheatre.org, which is a theatre in New York City). The box office can be reached at (703) 820-9771 from noon to 8 p.m. daily.
Reserved ticket prices range from $40 to $131. While no senior discounts are available, a 25% discount is offered to veterans, military retirees, educators and front-line workers, from nurses to grocery store employees.
Family Pack tickets ($50 each) are available for a maximum of two adults (parents/guardians) attending with one to three children ages 6 to 17.
