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CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK’S 46TH SEASON LAUNCHED BY MISCHIEF, MISHAPS AND MAYHEM WITH A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, SEPTEMBER 6 - OCTOBER 7 (CINCINNATI) – It’s something for everyone as the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park launches its 46th season with one of musical theatre’s most irreverent, fast-paced and hilarious comedies, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. The show begins previews in the Playhouse’s Robert S. Marx Theatre beginning September 6 and continues through October 7. Forum takes audiences back to Ancient Rome where its story centers around three houses: that of Erronius, who has been abroad for 20 years searching for his two kidnapped children; the house of Marcus Lycus, a buyer and seller of courtesans; and the home of Senex and his family. As the story begins, Senex’s son Hero has fallen in love with Lycus’ latest arrival. Unfortunately, Hero soon learns that the girl, Philia, already has been sold to the famed warrior Miles Gloriosus, who is scheduled to arrive within the day to claim her. Hero’s enterprising slave Pseudolus sees an opportunity for his own gain. Pseudolus promises Hero that he will find a way to bring him together with Philia. In exchange, Hero must promise to give Pseudolus the one thing he wants above all others — his freedom.Featuring a zany book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, the creator of Tootsie and M*A*S*H, and one of Stephen Sondheim’s wittiest scores, Forum provides a marvelous mixture of mischief, mishaps, mistaken identities, misunderstandings and mayhem before the promised happy ending plays out. Singing, dancing and (almost) a human sacrifice all combine in an evening’s entertainment — tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight! The original Broadway production of Forum opened in 1962
at New York City’s Alvin Theatre The cast for Forum includes Nat Chandler (Miles Gloriosus), Lynn Eldredge (Domina), Jared Gertner (Protean), Karen Hyland (Geminae), Keith Jochim (Marcus Lycus), Lynette Knapp (Philia), Bryan Lefeber (Protean), Jaclyn Minerva (Tintinabula), Hayley H. Nelson (Geminae), Whit Reichert (Erronius), Dominic Roberts (Protean), Erika Lynn Rominger (Gymnasia), Carol Schuberg (Vibrata), John Seidman (Senex), Jeff Skowron (Hysterium), Eric Ulloa (Hero) and Bob Walton (Pseudolus). Forum is directed by Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Edward Stern. The show features choreography by Janet Watson and musical direction by Darren R. Cohen. Other members of the production team include John Ezell (Set Designer), David Kay Mickelsen (Costume Designer), Peter E. Sargent (Lighting Designer) and Chuck Hatcher (Sound Designer). The first stage manager is Jenifer Morrow and the second stage manager is Bruce E. Coyle. Prices for Forum range from $39.50-$52.50, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $36.50 for the preview performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 6 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 7. The official opening night is Thursday, September 8 at 8:00 p.m. Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased at the Playhouse between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available. Tickets to Forum are on sale now to subscribers to the Playhouse’s 2005-2006 season. Tickets will go on sale to the general public through the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com beginning August 19 and by phone and in person through the box office beginning August 22. Tickets purchased between August 19 and August 26 to performances in the first week of the show’s run are half off the regular price. Some restrictions apply. For more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office, there is a $3 convenience fee per call. Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection Comair. The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati. |
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Special Performances Meet the Artists 2 p.m. Sunday, September 11 Audio Described Performance Signed Performance Playhouse Perspectives Dining Options Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to
most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert.
Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is
$21. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light,
quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups,
pasta and desserts. No reservations are required. Sponsors Production Sponsor: The Marx Season Design Sponsor is the Cinergy Foundation. # # # |
