Players by the Sea is already planning its first musical of the year. A show that has been called Broadway’s greatest musical comedy, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” is set to run on the Main Stage at the Jacksonville Beach community theater from Jan. 24 through Feb. 15.
The cast has been in rehearsals for more a month. Directed by Michael Lipp, the actors must use great skill to portray the farce that Forum requires, Lipp said. “As the saying goes, ‘Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.’ Forum is one of the only musical farces - breakneck-paced and hilarious. Farce is an exciting challenge for both the director and actor, and it requires painstaking specificity and a strong sense of comic split-second timing.”
The cast includes:
PSEUDOLUS – Al Emerick
HERO – Billy Speed
PHILIA – Julie Harrington
HYSTERIUM – Paepaeala Pimienta
SENEX – Allen LaMontagne
DOMINA – Amy Allen Farmer
MARCUS LYCUS – Christopher Humphries
MILES GLORIOSUS – Jimmy Alexander
ERRONIUS – Jim Warren
GYMNASIA – Chelsea Black
THE GEMINAE – Shauna Clark and Anna Fleece
VIBRATA – Kimberly Cooper York
TINTINABULA – Amanda Jackson
PANACEA – Charity Zappone
THE PROTEANS – Jake McGraw, Chinua Richardson, and Kris Stam
The story takes place in ancient Rome, where Pseudolus, a devious slave, makes a deal to win his freedom by playing matchmaker for his lovesick master, Hero. Other characters include pompous generals, domineering parents and wily courtesans.
General Admission tickets are $28 and Student/Senior/Military tickets are $25. Group rates are available for parties larger than 15 people.
Visit playersbythesea.org or call the Box Office at (904) 249.0289 for more information.
