Director Jim Linde has given the Scottsdale Community Player's current production of Stephen Sondheim and Larry Gelbart's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum a highly amusing spin: He has set this tale based on the Roman comedian Plautus on a turn-of-the-20th-century Burlesque stage. The concept is brilliant, one that made me "Ah-ha" out loud as the red velvet curtain opened to reveal an advertising-covered secondary curtain. This theme was followed in Shana Targosz' enjoyably spliced Roman/Burlesque costumes, and in Julie Cotton's highly stylized and joke-filled set design. He has also done a good job in adding two songs, one cut from the original production, and one from Sondheim's rarely produced The Frogs, though the second is oddly moved from the start of the show to the start of the second act, making it a bit superfluous.
While it's obvious that Mr. Linde and some of his designers have done their homework, few of the actors have taken this brilliant cue. Also, while there are some outstanding performances, it was painfully obvious that this show came together as well as it did on opening night despite some bad miscasting forced by last-minute replacements of departing cast members, and a palpable exhaustion of some of the leads that lead to raw voices and after-dance number huffing and puffing.
This production marks the return to the stage of Todd James Smeltzer. Mr. Smeltzer is a natural choice for the role of Pseudolus, previously performed by such larger-than-life personalities as Zero, Nathan, and Whoopi. Unfortunately, while Mr. Smeltzer still has his comedic timing, his usually great voice is ragged, and by the second number, he was hyperventilating from Melissa Cesarano's overtaxing choreography. In full voice and rested condition, Mr. Smeltzer's performance will be better. The same cannot be said for thoroughly miscast Michael Sumner's Hero and gender-bending-without-a-point Suzanne Hickey as flesh-peddler Marcus Lycus. Mr. Sumner has a flittery voice and zero stage presence, while Ms. Hickey can do nothing to justify the completely unwise choice of putting her in a man's singing role.
Better is Tyler Olshansky as Hero's love, Philia. Her beautiful voice and visage are highlights, though she's given little more by Mr. Linde to promote the humore of her part. Better still are Jeremie McCubbin as Hysterium, and John Haubner as imposing General Miles Gloriosus. Mr. McCubbin seems to have been pulled back a bit from the level of frenetic by Mr. Smeltzer, but he still delivers the goods. Mr. Haubner, who was also battling vocal problems, is quite engaging and funny. The verdict is split on Hero's mother and father, Dorman J. Smith as Senex, and Nikki Hodgen as his imposing wife, Domina. Mr. Smith's voice is not up to the role, though he has some funny moments. Ms. Hodgen, though, has a lovely and powerful voice, and solid comedic timing.
The Proteans as played by Justin Brooks, Mike Farfalla, and Jack Pauly are generally wasted. Here was a perfect opportunity to carry the Burlesque theme by giving them very specific characterizations from that period, such as the Marx Brothers or the Three Stooges. Instead, they are bumblers in a low level way, a sad situation. Mr. Pauly is much more successful when perfectly presenting the old man Burlesque stereotype as Erronius. Lycus' courtesans are all comely and lithe, singing and dancing successfully, but Ms. Cesarano's choreography, while very gymnastic, forgets completely the center of attention during the number "The House of Marcus Lycus," rarely concentrating on Pseudolus. It's one of several moments where authors, director, and choreographer are not in synch.
It is quite probable that through the run, the exhaustion, raspy voices, and hesitancy of movement and choreography will disappear, but there's little hope that those actors fighting against their roles will find themselves. This makes for an enjoyable, if ultimately less-than-successful evening.
Production Details:
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Book
by Larry Gelbart, from plays by Plautus.
Scottsdale Community
Players
Stagebrush Theatre, Scottsdale (For a
map to location, click this
link)
(480) 990-7405
September 7th - 30th, 2001