Life

Comic veterans return to Playhouse stage in 'Forum'

Nick Santa-Maria and Scott Treadway star in 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.' [PHOTO BY JAMES W. JOHNSON]

By Bill Moss, Published: September 30, 2014

Veteran comic actors Scott Treadway and Nick Santa-Maria return to the Main Stage of Flat Rock Playhouse in the Tony Award-winning musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," which opens Thursday and runs through Oct. 26.

Taking place in Ancient Rome, the story follows the path of the crafty Roman slave Pseudolus as he attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the beautiful girl next door. The show features comedy styles developed during Broadway's and television's Golden Age, including slapstick and vaudeville. In fact, the title itself is derived from a line that vaudeville comedians often used to begin a story: "A funny thing happened on the way to the theater."
In addition to Santa-Maria, who played the lead in "Laughter on the 23rd floor," and Treadway, the cast includes Scott Cote, Jarid Faubel, Lilly Tobin, Sam Sherwood, Ralph Redpath, Preston Dyar, Linda Edwards, Betsy Bisson, Jane Bushway, Mary Claire King, Katie Zanca, Maddie Franke, Ethan Andersen, James Wells, and Dion Mills.
The show is directed by Acting Artistic Director Lisa K. Bryant, who also directed "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" and the hit "My Fair Lady" this summer. Music director is Michael Sebastian. Scenic designer is Dennis Maulden. Costume Designer is Ashli Arnold. Lighting Designer is Stephen Terry. Technical Director is Tony Lawrence. Sound Designer is Allen Sanders.
Performances are 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.