There's an orchestra in front of the stage, the lights are starting to dim, and a man steps on stage with red shiny shoes telling the audience they are here for a comedy.
“Overall this has been the best production I’ve ever been involved with,” said second-year theatre performance senior Aaron Burstein. “This was my first time working with Dr. Swanson, and that was really cool - he was really good at keeping me diligent.”
Longwood Theatre collaborated with the music department to put on a musical, "A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum," in Jarman Auditorium from Feb. 21-24 at 7 p.m. and a final show on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m.
Director Lacy Klinger, assistant professor of Acting & Voice and Movement, teamed up with music professor Dr. Christopher Swanson for the production. The 1966 British-American musical is based off of the productions of Plautus, a playwright from ancient Rome. The theatre department designed the set and clothing to be based off the same style of ancient Rome, going as far as to copy the hair styles.
“My daughter (Sasha Uzzle) was in the play, that is why we came to see it,” said Melvennia Uzzle. “It (costumes and set) fit the time period they were trying to establish, overall they did good.”
Both cast and crew commented after the Saturday night showing that it felt like their best performance; some said it was because of the audience. Throughout the show people could be heard laughing and yelling at the actions of an actor and there was also clapping and snapping. And even though the crowd was very vocal about enjoying themselves the actors all stayed in character throughout the show. Staying in character is important; theatre senior Zachary Glasscock found himself challenged as the lead of the show when his mic stopped working on Saturday.
“I’ve never been in a show this racy before, and I just went for it,” said Glasscock. “(The show) was exhausting, first and foremost, I am exhausted every single night; but it’s worth it.”
Glasscock’s character, Pseudolus, is a slave in ancient Rome struggling to obtain his freedom. His character is very witty, quick on his feet and a male full of hormones. His owner, Hero, was played by theatre student Harrison Gray, who's mother, Domina, was played by theatre senior Alex Woods. Pseudolus' love interest, Philia, was played by Erica Johnson, and Marcus was played by theatre performance junior Garrett Reese.
None of the actors' energy faltered throughout the play; even with his mic not working, Glasscock still projected every line without hesitation to the audience.
“It was different working on this show, at Jarman - it’s a bigger space and more space to fill, which makes it that much harder to reach the audience,” said Reese, a musical theatre minor.
Not only were the actors working in Jarman for the show, but the musical department expanded the show further with a live orchestra. Swanson said the music and tempo depended on the choreography of the actors by Klinger and Glasscock.
“Definitely will work together (in the future), this is the first time that we have had a production this size, it was first show back,” said Swanson. “I loved working with the students, so talented.”
"A Funny Thing Happened" cast member Zachary Glasscock practiced a scene with another actor.
