A Funny, Familiar, Peculiar, Appealing, Appalling, Aesthetic, Frenetic, Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

A Funny, Familiar, Peculiar, Appealing, Appalling, Aesthetic, Frenetic, Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Bay Street’s August Musical a Huge Hit!

As every good East End producer knows, it takes a “name” to sell pretty much anything in the Hamptons during the summer months. Other venues and theaters have brought in celebrities to boost ticket sales this season, but none (that this reviewer has attended) have even come close to utilizing their celebs talents the way that Bay Street has with Peter Scolari in “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.”

From the moment Scolari, who played the lead Pseudolus, took the stage and started singing, “Comedy Tonight” I was on the edge of my seat laughing, clapping, and cheering the entire show. He had control over every minute detail and was able to communicate his dire wish for freedom with the slightest twinge of his upper lip and tilt of his head. I thoroughly enjoyed his entire performance- and what a huge role! He danced, sang, delivered brilliantly timed lines, climbed over prostitutes, and strung together the funniest web of stories without missing a beat.

Director Milgrom Dodge put the ensemble together seamlessly and scenes moved and changed without a moment of hesitation. The casting could not have been done better, everyone on stage meshed and just seemed like they truly enjoyed working together. Every actor and dancer knew their cues, lines, and moves perfectly and their delivery was absolutely impeccable.

The three talented “Proteans,” Glenn Giron, Grant Haralson, and J. Morgan White played myriad roles throughout the show to the point where my friend and I actually thought there were 6-7 men in the chorus. Their comedic timing and incredible dance skills, and confounding costume changes made even the smallest bits completely hysterical.

The show was choreographed by Dodge, the director, along with associate choreographer Shiloh Goodin. They catered to all levels of experience so the flexible and well-trained “Geminae,” played by Goodin and Phoeobe Pearl, could show off their incredible moves, but no one looked lost or inexperienced.  They even included a tribute to Martha Graham during the funeral sequence, long black scoop-neck dresses and angular movements, and as a dancer and choreographer myself I enjoyed it immensely.

I also credit the costume designer Greg Wilson and Ed Wilson’s Wig design for making every member of the House of Lycus look like an absolute goddess. Marcus Lycus played by Laurent Giroux with his stunning make-up, the belly dancing Tintinabula played by Halley Cianfarini, the voluptuous Panacea played by Jen Bechter, the fabulously fierce Vibrata played by Jessica Crouch, the twin Geminae, and my personal favorite, Gymnasia played by Terry Lavell. Ms. Lavell actually might be a goddess; Amazonian, gorgeous beyond compare, and made more than just Pseudolus drool with her dancing!

I don’t make it to Broadway to see shows often, but this troupe should be on 42nd Street and to have them in our own back yard is an incredible blessing. Shows like these are extremely rare, and to miss it would be an awful shame. So visit http://www.baystreet.org/Calendar/ and pick your date and get your tickets already!! Running through September 1st with shows Tuesday-Saturday at 8pm, Sundays at 7pm, and matinees on Wednesday at 2pm and Saturday at 4pm. I know I’m going again!