Skylight Opera Theater has enriched Milwaukee's theater scene twice this year, with a landmark production of the rarely performed musical, Floyd Collins, and now with a fresh and lively version of the chestnut, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To The Forum. The strength of any production of Forum rests on the ability of the leading actor, who portrays Pseudolus the slave. The role was originally created as a star turn for the late Zero Mostel, who led the Broadway cast. While William Theisen doesn't erase Mostel's memory (although a padded costume gives him added heft), he seems very comfortable in the role. A uniformly fine cast supports Theisen. Few of the actors have Equity credentials, but they are appealing, energetic and, for the most part, up to the task at hand. Particularly engaging is Bo Johnson as Hysterium, the major domo slave.
Johnson is a skilled comic who portrays Hysterium with the decorum of an English butler. Johnson's low-key delivery pays off handsomely in a scene near the end of the show where, dressed in a white gown and carrying a bouquet, he must impersonate a bride to get Pseudolus off the hook. The three Proteans (Rob Hancock, Michael Morgan, Andrew Worm) are also worth mentioning. In regional productions, these relatively minor characters often fall to inexperienced young interns. However, Director Roger Bean mines the full potential of these characters, with excellent results.
For all its charm, Forum has more than its share of thankless roles. Chief among them are Hero, a sappy youth (Benjamin Howes), and his beloved Philia (Michelle Smith). Both actors are flawless in their brainless characterizations, despite their character development being nil. Still, their top-notch voices elevate such tunes as "Lovely" and "Pretty Little Picture." Completely oblivious to the lovers' plight is Hero's mother, Domina (Tamara Bentmeester), a battleaxe of enormous proportions, and his timid father, Senex (Ray Jivoff).
While Senex is lusting after Philia, who is introduced as their new maid, Domina senses that her husband's attention is straying (although, after 29 years, why is she so concerned now?). The musical's show-stopping numbers remain the opener, "Comedy Tonight," and the hilarious, "Everybody Ought to Have A Maid." Credit goes to an excellent orchestra under the direction of Richard Carsey. Forum's light-hearted tone is supported by the cheery cartoon sets (by Mark Pilolo), and the eye-popping costumes by Susan Branch.
