A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Two weeks and counting for the opening of “A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum” in USU Eastern’s Peterson Black Box Theatre with Corey Ewan, Ph.D., directing and Brent Innes, designing the set.
Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus (251–183 BC), specifically Pseudolus, Miles Gloriosus, and Mostellaria, the musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door.
The plot displays many classic elements of farce, including puns, slamming doors, cases of mistaken identity (frequently involving characters disguising themselves as one another), and satirical comments on social class.
The title derives from a line often used by vaudeville comedians to begin a story, “A funny thing happened on the way to the theater.”
The musicals original 1962 Broadway run won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Author (Musical). A Funny Thing has enjoyed several Broadway and West End revivals and was made into a successful film starring the original lead of the musical, Zero Mostel.
Gabriel Marcotte plays Pseudolus; John Behn, Senex; Benjamin Herron, Hero; Madison Olsen, Philia; Mack Smith, Domina; Zachary Ballard, Hysterium; Dave Hocanson, Marcus Lycus; Ben Jones, Miles Gloriosus; Christopher Vlamakis, Erronius; Richard Taylor, Patrick Paulk, Kevin Soto and Alex Holt, Proteans; and Terri Paulk, Kym Paulk, Ellie deMie, Scyler Smith, Chloe Clark, Alenea Gray, Bethany Peyton, Keely Earl, Christine Redford, Jordan Goyeau, Emma Benedict, Hannah Coleman and Jenny Taylor, Cortesans.
Stage manager is Josh deMie, assistant stage manager is Veronica Tita, pianist is Jana Hoyt with Larry Martin vocal coach and Brandie Taylor Johansen dance choreographer.