With less than a month until opening night for their upcoming musical, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," Longwood theatre's actors continue to prepare, breaking in their costume shoes and trying on their corsets. During the rehearsals, director Lacy Klinger is never too far from the stage, constantly communicating with the actors and going through their lines while making sure everyone is on the same page.
Nearby, both the stage manager and the assistant are taking notes and checking the sound systems for music. With preparation for the show well underway, actors and crew members practice every day of the week from 6-10 p.m.
“Most college students haven’t seen this play or won’t know what the name is, but they will love it,” said stage director Kaydan Ferguson, a theatre senior. “It’s funny, flashy, tastefully comedic, there’s a lot going on all the time in the show to make the crowd laugh.”
Ferguson said rehearsals have been going smoothly, and that this production has made actors "blossom" and better themselves. The production requires acting and musical numbers with the inclusion of dancing. "Real dancing," Ferguson emphasized.
Actor and theatre senior Harrison Gray shares the excitement felt by Klinger and Ferguson, saying the play rehearsals haven’t felt painful yet and the actors are still energetic as practice continues. The production team look forward to entertaining the crowd and hope to have audience leave happier than when they arrived.
The Stephen Sondheim play draws inspiration from the Ancient Roman playwright Plautus and comedically satirizes present-day social class issues without slowing its pace while set in an unexpected location - Ancient Rome.
“I wouldn’t say that this musical has a message, per se. There are no serious moments whatsoever,” said Klinger. “The show is non-stop and goes from one situations to the next incredibly fast, a marathon vaudeville performance.”
The musical will give the theatre department the rare opportunity to collaborate with the music department and allow their students to share the stage with professionals as one of the lead characters will be played by Farmville resident Jordan Whiley. Whiley has directed and acted for the Waterworks Players, the local performance art theater.
“There’s a lot going on all the time in the show, it’s a big show with 19 actors and plenty of stage crew to work with," said Ferguson.56
Each year, the theatre department selects the production lineup based on what its students need to experience for their education, but also what the students want to produce. Director Lacy Klinger is excited for the production and the chance to work closely with music department chair Lisa Kinzer and musical director Christopher Swanson, a Longwood music professor.
Klinger said she expects professionalism from all of her actors, requiring them to be prepared and willing to work hard.
Assistant stage director Sydney Griffin theatre education freshman said, “She works very well with the actors, very kind to them. And (the) stage manager, Kaydan, also makes sure that everything is in place.”
For most of their shows, the Longwood theatre department takes over the stage in their home base at CSTAC, but for "A Funny Thing Happened," the cast will find themselves across campus performing in Jarman Auditorium from Feb. 21-25. Tickets are available for purchase in-person at the Longwood box office or online . Tickets are $6 for students, $10 for general admission and $8 for senior citizens.
Director Lacy Klinger and the cast continue rehearsal for the upcoming musical based in Ancient Rome, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."
The musical's cast continue to practice its musical numbers, rehearsing every day from 6-10 p.m.
"A Funny Thing Happened" cast member Zachary Glasscock practiced a scene with another actor.
Director Lacy Klinger and the cast continue rehearsal for the upcoming musical based in Ancient Rome, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."