by Sue Lense

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When Shadowbox began presenting musicals a couple years back I welcomed the Sunday shows with open arms. The regular shows are great, but I think the limitations of comedy sketches sandwiched between rock songs certainly limits the talents of this superb troupe of actors. With the staging of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Shadowbox emerges ... well ... out of its shadowbox to reveal the greatness lying within.

To state this might be the biggest risk taken since moving to Easton 11 years ago would be an understatement. Beginning with the orchestration ... or lack thereof, bandleader/guitarist Matthew Hahn gets the most out of the least. With a solid core of Taylor Grammas on bass, Robert Robuck on keyboards, Brandon Smith on drums and Dante Wehe on guitar, Mr. Hahn skillfully leads a rock band through the daunting task of doing justice to a Stephen Sondheim orchestral score. Augmenting the band with clarinet (Marilyn Boyd), flute (Noelle Grandison), and additional percussion (Jerrod Wigton) certainly helps. But it’s Hahn’s musical leadership and the tasteful guitar nuances he and Wehe coax from their “axes” that makes the music successfully come together. By stuffy Broadway purists’ standards this is a blasphemy of delightful sound.

Shadowbox musical stalwart JT Walker III sings, dances and charms his way through opening number Comedy Tonight, setting the stage for a blissfully celebratory performance of this hilarious play. A finer welcome to the audience there could never be. Playing Rome’s conniving slave Pseudolus, Mr. Walker takes us to a magical place in his quest to be free. Along the way Jimmy Mak’s Hysterium becomes his partner in a scheme to bring a beautiful virgin (Amy Lay as Philia) from the house of Marcus Lycus, who deals in the skin trade, (played wonderfully by Brandon Anderson) to Hero who has fallen madly in love with her. Hero, whose parents own Pseudolus, promises him his freedom in return for the hand of Philia. And the ironic bite of the seller of slave girls being played by a black man is devilishly delicious.

Of course, it gets more complicated as the story unfolds, evolving into what might be called a romping, raucous sex farce in the spirit of Shakespeare himself. Mr. Mak almost ... but not quite ... steals the spotlight with his ... uh ... singing and dancing? Mak is famous for his stage presence, extraordinary comedic timing and facial expressions. But who knew he could carry on so in belting out I’m Calm? Mr. Walker and Mr. Mak make for superb masters of ceremony in this three-ring circus of burlesque, vaudeville and purposely placed anachronistic mayhem. Romp indeed.

Another big delight is David Whitehouse as Miles, the soldier who has purchased the charms of Philia before the scheme was hatched. Mr. Whitehouse also is well known for his fantastic physical comedy. But here he dazzles the crowd with his ... uh ... singing and dancing? Fronting the stage during a grandiose song and dance routine, he sings a confidently macho Bring Me My Bride with the force of an NFL player turned opera star. With Brian Westbrook and Andrew Cioffi amplifying the Roman soldier-esque foot work while surrounded by the sexy sashaying of a group of delectable Courtisans ... well ... it is quite a sight to behold bringing Act One to a hysterical end.

While the unexpected is sincerely surprising and successful, Shadowbox’s expected talent is apparent. Amy Lay’s portrayal of Philia is at the same time virginal, wise, dumb and wink wink charming. Her singing of Lovely is ... well ... lovely. Pam Whitehouse’s playful shrew Domina makes Robbie Nance’s P-whipped Senex all the more whipped. Sami Shaaban’s clumsy but adorable Hero is a refreshing departure from the other characters. And of course the presence of Colin Hanson as Erronius moving in and out of the scenes behind his hideously huge beard, makes the perfect running (almost literally) sight gag.

I cannot fail to include the lively, lusty sensual diversity of The Courtisans. Tintinabula (Edelyn Parker), Panacea (Katy Psenicka), Geminae (Leah Haviland and Anita McFarren), Vibrata (Taryn Bryant), Gymnasia (Noelle Grandisn), Sue (Sue? Lynsey Strouse) who along with the nimble yet nameless Proteans (Andrew Cioffi, Stephen Crawford, Brett McCardle, and Brian Westbrook), dance and sing their way into the audience’s hearts. Under the skillful choreographic direction of Ms. Psenicka, the big production numbers are more than memorable. Comedy Tonight (both the opening and the finale) and especially the incredible 3-section performance of Everybody Ought to have a Maid fronted superbly by Robbie Nance, offer entertainment that brings a rush up the spine.

Lastly ... and I cannot mention everybody here ... I have gushed long enough and I don’t have a list of the wait staff’s names ... the direction from Steve Guyer and assistant director Julie Klein supported by the musical direction of Stacie Board, certainly made this one of the finest performances I have seen from Shadowbox ... hell ... from anybody for that matter. While the video, at first seeming not so much distracting but unnecessary, won me over with the inclusion of Lady and the Tramp inadvertently kissing while eating a plate of spaghetti. That scene from Disney’s famous animated motion picture is a perfect metaphor for the warmth that is permeated by Shadowbox’s people. Ms. Klein and Mr. Guyer sat at a table immediately behind my party’s. I glanced back a few times during A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and the two of them seemed like proud parents beaming at their children’s first recital. And rightfully so. The seamlessly joyous romp onstage made me glad that I agreed to write a review of the show.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum runs Sundays at 2:30 and 7 p.m. with the exception of Easter Sunday, April 12th through April 26th. For more information go to: www.shadowboxcabaret.com.