THEATER REVIEW: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM

Hero (Zack Kaufer) and Philia (Kristin Towers-Rowles) in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Photo Credit: Joy Daunis.

Roman romping

By Ed Rampell

This rollicking “Romanesque” romp inspired by the ancient Roman playwright Plautus, written in the A.D. era by Larry Gelbart (M*A*S*H; Tootsie) and Burt Shevelove, with lyrics and music by the peerless Stephen Sondheim, has a very simple but sweet premise: Pseudolus is a wily slave, who craves to be set free. Travis Dixon acquits himself well, stepping into the sandals originally worn by the inimitable Zero Mostel as the peon tired of being pissed on by higher born Romans in Theatre Palisades’ revival of A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum, which has roamed from the Apian Way to the Great White Way to Temescal Canyon.

As the opening song promises, there’s comedy aplenty on nights when this farce is performed. Dixon sets the production’s tone with a delightfully daffy rendition of Comedy Tonight, one of at least two showstoppers Sondheim, that Caesar of lyricists, conquered Broadway with in this 1962 musical. (The other is that clever pondering of beauty and self regard called Lovely.) Comedy Tonight starts as a solo song and dance routine, although two Roman centurions (witty Jim Witoszynski and Jose Acain) join Dixon onstage, as eventually – in that irrepressible Jimmy Durante “everyone-wants-to-get-into-the-act” way -- the entire cast of around 15 thespians does.

The plot revolves around Pseudolus’ efforts to use his wits and wile to win that most cherished of all things: Freedom. In order to do so the slave must somehow manage to unite his master’s son, Hero (a rather un-heroic, funny looking Zach Kaufer) with the courtesan Philia (Kristin Towers-Rowles), who resides in the next-door brothel. Alas, Philia, who is still a virgin, has been bought by the warrior Miles Gloriosus (the scene stealing, scenery chewing Luis Ordaz). Aye, theres’ the rub; gloriosky!, complications and hilarity ensue. 

Dixon and Towers-Rowles perform a creditable rendition of the aforementioned narcissistic number Lovely. Other standouts include Frank Weidner as a swishy Hysterium (the role Jack Gilford played in the 1966 film version), head slave of Senex (played with dry aplomb by Bradley Kesden), who, as Hero’s father, has a decidedly Greek Oedipalconflict with his son over Philia’s favors. Senex is also henpecked by the aptly named Domina, who is given glorious voice by Gail Wirth, even as she imparts a sly latter day Gloria Swanson impression from Sunset Boulevard. After all, in the male chauvinist pantheon of figures worthy of ridicule, an “over the hill” woman who stills feel sexual desire is a regular knee-slapper, nothing short of a Zeus-send. (In his playbill notes Kesden points out that the story based on three of Plautus’ plays is set a mere 2,300 years before the Women’s Liberation Movement -- although this bawdy tale of Bacchus and prostitutes may well explain that cause. Holy Aphrodite!)

As the pimp/mamasan of the house of ill repute, Nathaniel Mathis plays Marcus Lycus (Phil Silvers in the Richard Lester movie) with an amusing effeminate touch. (Like a chocolatier allergic to cocoa, that’s one way to ensure one keeps his hands off of the “merchandise.”) The seven or so spritely courtesans are humorously played, but alas, harsh as this is to say, in the looks department most do not live up to their billing as enticing sex workers one would spend their drachmas on. You can criticize your critic as sexist, but I’d point it out if an actor portraying Goliath were only five-foot, three-inches, too. There’s such a thing as truth in advertising, don’tchaknow!

The play itself and this production have lots of slapstick, as well as burlesque; the humor is broad in every respect, with heaps of tomfoolery and physical comedy. There’s also droll dialogue, such as when a character discussing warfare laments: “I arched when I should have slung.” As directed by Scott Martin, the onstage antics are more head spinning than sidesplitting -- it’s a regular Pacific Palisades amusement park.

Anthony Soto’s set with Roman-style architecture is fine, but the fact that there’s a single set throughout the entire two-acter renders this interpretation static. The action and setting could have been opened up more, as Theatre Palisades’ outdoor Topanga neighbors the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum’s players often do at their amphitheatre. For instance, Erronius (Richard Little) could have trotted out into the audience on his fool’s errand around the roaming empire.

For ticket buyers who expect Ahmanson if not Broadway quality, this Theatre Palisades version does not quite have the comedy’s promised “something for everyone,” as it is more on the community theatre level. But less demanding theatergoers will enjoy a well meaning play about love -- and yes, liberty. Back in 1962, Gelbart and company had their finger on America’s pulse, reflecting not only the Civil Rights Movement, but predicting the sexual revolution, too. And, even though he died in 183 B.C., but of course, we must also applaud Plautus: Author!

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum runs through July 10 at Theatre Palisades at the Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Road, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. For info: (310) 454-1970; www.theatrepalisades.com