“A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum” reviewed by Frank Meccia

**** It’s easy to confuse this zany Roman farce with Mel Brooks’ History of the World, but make no mistake—this is Stephen Sondheim’s very first Broadway musical, and it stands proudly on its own with clever wordplay, farcical chaos, and, of course, the legendary opening number, “Comedy Tonight.”
MadKap Productions, under the direction of Wayne Mell, brings this 2½-hour romp to vibrant life at the intimate Skokie Theatre. With a cast of 18 strong performers, Mell transforms the compact stage into a whirlwind of mistaken identities, slapstick, and innuendo—all classic ingredients of this 1962 Tony-winning comedy.
The show opens with a meta-theatrical wink: Senex (Mark Anderson) interrupts Mell’s welcome speech, urging him to speed things up because “the show is running late.” It’s a perfect intro to the farcical style and pun-laden humor that permeates every moment.

At the center of the mayhem is Pseudolus, the scheming slave brilliantly played by Ed Rutherford. With razor-sharp comedic timing and effortless charm, Rutherford drives the plot forward as he attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master, Hero (Tyler Lord), win the heart of the innocent Philia (Emily Lewis), who has been promised to the pompous Captain Miles Gloriosus (Max Perkel). Naturally, chaos ensues.

Daniel Leahy plays Marcus Lycus, the sly merchant of courtesans (yes, courtesans), and provides plenty of laughs with his exasperated antics. Senex’s domineering wife, Domina (Erin Renee Baumrucker) adds more fuel to the fire as she leaves town, demanding that house slave Hysterium (an outstandingly nervous Andrew Buel) keep their son Hero—and his virtue—out of trouble. Meanwhile, Erronius (Gayle Starr), the bumbling neighbor, is on a desperate search for her long-lost children, cursed to wander the seven hills of Rome endlessly.
With so many characters and plot twists, it’s easy to lose track—but that’s part of the fun. The show’s secret weapon lies in the Proteans, played by Aidan and Owen Espinosa and Mitchell Shaw. This trio handles countless roles and lightning-fast costume changes with hilarious precision—their turn as horses for the Captain is pure theatrical magic.

Jeremy Ramey’s musical direction elevates the show. Normally working with a small combo, Ramey expands the pit this time around—but cleverly hides the musicians offstage due to space limitations. It works beautifully, enhancing the score without overwhelming the room.

Design-wise, Claire Rockwell’s modular set fits the slapstick style perfectly, and Dame Erickson’s colorful costumes evoke the spirit of ancient Rome with a vaudevillian flair.

Running through August 3rd, with performances:

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm

Sundays at 1:30 pm

special Wednesday matinee on July 30th,

this production is already drawing full houses. For tickets, call (847) 677-7761 or visit www.SkokieTheatre.org.

With laughs, galore, a stellar cast, and live music that brings Sondheim’s score to life, Forum is a must-see North Shore gem. Skip the downtown hassle and catch this riotous classic right in Skokie. The theater is located at  7924 N. Lincoln Avenue.

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