Players by the Sea’s first musical of the year opens Friday, Jan. 24. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” has been called Broadway’s greatest musical farce. It’s a timeless comedy dating back to its Broadway premiere in 1967.
Al Emerick, who plays the character Pseudolous, said the cast has been working hard to get ready for the show. “There’s a real diverse split between ages and experience but everyone is in this thing together and has been since the start,” he said. “We’ve battled a lot of challenges from the flu season, holiday vacations but everybody is dedicated and it’s awesome!”
The cast consists of 18 actors, ranging in age from teenagers to seniors. Some have studied theater professionally and others just love being on stage.
Billy Speed, a Jacksonville native, plays Hero. He went to school for Music Theatre at Oklahoma City University, the same school that musical sensations Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O’Hara graduated from. Other cast members include teachers, a retired engineer, a dentist and high school students. Despite coming from different walks of life, they have come together through the production process, bonding over their love for the theater.
“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” takes the audience back to ancient Rome. Pseudolus, a devious slave, makes a deal to win his freedom by playing matchmaker for his lovesick master, Hero. It is rife with pompous generals, domineering parents and wily courtesans.
“You should buy tickets to this show because you will have the opportunity to walk away in tears from laughter and your face will hurt from the smiles,” Emerick said.
Tickets are on sale now at playersbythesea.org or by calling the Box Office at (904)249-0289. General admission is $28. Senior/student/military tickets are $25. Thursday Nights are Student Nights at PBTS, with $14 tickets for students with a valid student I.D. at the door.
The show runs from Jan. 24 to Feb. 15.
