A Funny Thing Happened at Drayton Festival Theatre July 17

The Drayton Festival Theatre continues the 2008 season with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum from July 17 through Aug. 9.

A Funny Thing Hap­pened … is one of the silliest and funniest farces in the history of Broadway,” said Alex Mus­takas, Artistic Director of Dray­ton Entertainment.

This vaudevillian-inspired musical romp centres around the inhabitants of three adjacent houses in ancient Rome, and chronicles a day in the life of Pseudolus, the craftiest slave in Rome, as he tries to extricate himself from an increasingly farcical situation.

When the wily philistine discovers that his master’s son, Hero, is in love with the beautiful – yet dim witted – courtesan next door, he promises to help win her heart in exchange for his freedom.

But the road to true love is never easy, and this romance is blocked with surprises, disguises, and a wild chase scene.

A Funny Thing Happened opened on Broadway in May 1962 and ran 964 performances. The show broke the traditional musical comedy mould by only using one stage set and no change of costumes. In doing so, it won a Tony award for Best Musical.

“The light-hearted script enables the performers to play and riff off each other,” said Mustakas. “It’s witty, unconventional, and utterly shameless. Theatregoers are definitely in for a treat.”

Armed with the lyrics and tunes of legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, the production is being directed by Rona Waddington and choreograph­ed by Gino Berti.

The cast includes Steve Ross as the sly slave Pseu­dolus, and perennial audience favourites Douglas Cham­berlain and Karen K. Edissi as masters Senex and Domina.  Kyle Blair tackles the role of heartsick Hero, and Elena Juatco is Philia, the object of his affection.

Adding to the proceedings is Keith Savage, as slave Hysterium.

The production also features Craig Fair, Ashley Fen­ster, Caitlin Goguen, Eran Goodyear, Neesa Kenemy, Lind­say Kramer, Robert Longo, Joe Perez, Nicholas Rice, Sal Scozzari, Kenny Wickes, and Emily Williams.

Tickets are selling quickly, and Mustakas advised theatregoers to plan ahead and call the box office at 519-638-5555 or toll free at 1-888-449-4463 as soon as possible for the best available tickets.

For more information just visit draytonfestivaltheatre.­com.

 

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