"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" Comes to MCCC's Kelsey Theatre Sept. 6-15

PinnWorth Productions takes comedy back to its Roman roots, when they present “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” as the 2013-14 season opener at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre.  Performances are Fridays, Sept. 6 and 13 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Sept. 7 and 14 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Sept. 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college’s West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.  A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on Sept. 6.

Set to a delightful musical score, “A Funny Thing Happened” is a zany romp featuring bold slaves, lovely courtesans, mistaken identities, and a little well-intended blackmail.  This Tony Award-winning show by theatrical giants Steven Sondheim, Larry Gelbart and Burt Shrevelove tells the tale of the crafty slave Pseudolus as he struggles to win the hand of the beautiful but slow-witted courtesan Philia for his young master, Hero, in exchange for his freedom. 

According to director Lou J. Stalsworth, of Allentown, “This is, plain and simple, a funny show.  It’s comic, foolish and insane, and our cast is ready to play it for all its laughs. The opening number, "Comedy Tonight," tells the audience exactly what's going to happen, so everyone can sit back and enjoy the merriment as it unfolds.”

Cast members include: John Zimmerman of Hamilton as Pseudolus; Kyrus Keenan Westcott of Hamilton as Hero; Elizabeth Rzasa of Lawrenceville as Philia; Jon Polanco of Hamilton as Hysterium; Peter Sauer of Yardley, Pa., as Senex; Susan Fowler of New Hope, Pa., as Domina; Jon Heron of Monroe as Marcus Lycus; Damien Bucci of Fairless Hills, Pa., as Miles Gloriosus;  Chris Arena of Ewing as Erronius; Arielle Rabano of Hillsborough as Tintinabula; Vianna Fagel of Ewing as Panacea; Abby Oliver of Hamilton and Molly Smith of Cream Ridge as Geminae; Taylor Lloyd of Hamilton as Vibrata; and Kristina Lunetta of Lumberton as Gymnasia.

Featured as Proteans are Jakob Walsh of New Egypt, Christian DiTullio of Lawrenceville, James Zimmerman of Hamilton, and Matt South Levittown, Pa.

In addition to Stalsworth, the production crew includes set and costume designer Kate Pinner of Allentown, stage manager Matt Lupino of Ewing, and sound and light designer Robert Terrano of East Windsor.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $16 for students and children.  For tickets, call the Kelsey Theatre Box Office at 609-570-3333, or visit www.kelseytheatre.net.  Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available next to the theater.