Gallery Players Hits Home Run With Forum

"Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight!" The Gallery Players troupe has audiences tapping their toes and wiping tears of laughter from their eyes during, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to The Forum, which currently is being staged in the JCC's Roth-Resler Theater.

The Sondheim 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 to 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, Philia has been promised to a pre-eminent soldier, Captain Miles Gloriosus, who is on his way to pick up his prize.

The ensuing craziness of mistaken identities and mixed-up pairs creates a non-stop laugh-fest, noted director Pam Hill.

"Forum is not what you'd expect from Stephen Sondheim – especially if your only previous exposure to his work was Sweeney Todd," she said. "Rather, Forum is based on the Roman comedies of Plautus. It is a farce with all of the elements – mistaken identities, double entendres, puns, and lots of near misses."

Playing the lead role is Jared Saltman, known to many as the JCC's Cultural Arts Director. "Pseudolus is a perfect role for Jared," said Hill. "His comic timing is spot on and with his lead, our audiences are thoroughly enjoying the show."

Remaining showtimes for Forum are:

• March 1, 8 at 8 p.m.
• March 2, 9 at 2:30 p.m.
• March 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for JCC members, $16 for nonmembers, $10 for senior members, $14 for senior nonmembers, $6 for children or students, and $8 per ticket for groups of 10 or more.

Hurry! Tickets are going fast! To order tickets online, visit the Gallery Players website, or call (614) 559-6248.