A funny thing happens in Saybrook

By ROBERT LEBZELTER- Special Sections Editor-bobleb@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

April 17, 2008 10:46 pm

— SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP — Chris D’Itri can’t stop laughing, just thinking about it.
He chuckles as he talks about “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” which he directs and opens tonight at Lakeside High School Auditorium.
“God I’m excited about this. It is so funny,” D’Itri said.
It’s the inaugural production of the Lakeside Performing Arts Community Theater.
“If this goes well, we will continue,” he says, “depending on what kind of turnout we get.”
“It’s been 12 years since it has been done in Ashtabula,” D’Itri said.
“This time of year people have the blahs, they are tired of winter. We decided to do something to put a smile on their faces,” he said.
The play runs tonight through Sunday and April 25-27 at 8 p.m.
“Forum” opened on Broadway on May 8, 1962.
Zero Mostel starred, after Phil Silvers and Milton Berle turned down the role. Silvers didn’t want to be on stage without his glasses.
Mostel revived his role in the 1966 movie.
The musical centers on the people of three houses in ancient Rome.
In one lives a slave, Pseudolus, who is willing to buy, win or steal his freedom. In an adjacent home is Marcus Lycus, who buys and sells beautiful women. In the third home is Erronius, who searches for his long-lost kids, who were stolen by pirates.
People swap identifies, men are in drag, there are mistaken identifies, before the inevitable happy ending.
The cast includes Michael Riffe as Pseulous, Mike Breeze as Hysterium and others, including Mark Pendleton, Geoff Griggs, Jenny Walsh, Connor O’Brien, Katie Treden, Jim Rudisill and Rich Werman.
“We have a seasoned cast,” D’Itri said. “There’s a lot of people in there who have a following.”
In all, 18 actors are on stage, but with production people, that number swells to 40, D’Itri said, many of whom are Lakeside students.
While the play will unfold at Lakeside, it is not a student play, but students contribute and have a chance to be involved in a bigger production, he said.
“We have an awesome orchestra,” D’Itri said, “mostly Lakeside students who are first and second chair. We also have a lot of students running lights and tech stuff and working backstage.”
“We have a great set,” D’Itri said, thanks to carpenter Kevin Presley. “He did an awesome job.”
Proceeds will go toward Lakeside’s theater and music departments. For tickets, call 993-2522, extension 2522. Tickets are also available at the door.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.