A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Click To SEE PHOTO (Photo by Lynne Mercer)
"The theater is a temple, and we are here to worship the gods of comedy and tragedy," proclaims Prologus, the master of ceremonies – if you will – of the madcap musical by Larry Gelbart, Bert Shevelove and Stephen Sondheim, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. The traditional springtime feel-good musical theater offering at San Juan Community Theatre opens Friday, May 13. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m.

In the words of the show's popular opening number, "Comedy Tonight," you'll learn in a nutshell what's in store. There is indeed "something for everyone."

There is "something familiar" and "peculiar" in the performances of Eric Concord as the dashing Roman soldier Miles Gloriosus and Patti Bair's robust mother role, Domina. "The lovers, liars and clowns" would be Hero and Philia (played by Hunter Wood and Roberta Leed), the enterprising slave, Pseudolus (Robert Herrmann) and courtesan merchant, Lychus (Warren Baehr), and the multi-faceted Proteans (Michael Blue, Sam Brennan, Andy Liedtke and Leo Wirth), respectively.

There are "stunning surprises" for the master of the house of Senex (Merritt Olsen) and his befuddle neighbor Eronious (Bob Chambers), and "cunning disguises" adopted by his slave-in-chief, Hysterium (Tim Pope). And there surely is "something esthetic" and "frenetic" in the performances of the courtesans (Linda Downes, Michelle Hill, Dawn Nivinski, Serena Spaulding and Anita Welch).

The "panderers, philanderers, cupidity, timidity, mistakes, fakes, rhymes, mimes, tumblers, grumblers, fumblers and bumblers" are the work of the creative team of director Selena Forster and music director Dorothy Baker. "Oh, the possibilities! The horrible, impossible possibilities."

The opening night performance will be followed by a free reception with the cast. The light repast of homemade desserts, fresh fruit and gourmet cheeses will be served by a bevy of pirates and Roman goddesses.

This production is sponsored by Kings Market. The run of show includes performances May 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m., and May 15 and 22 at 2:00 p.m. Ticket prices for evening shows (except May 19) are $18 for Adults, $10 for Student Reserved. Matinees are $16/$8. May 19 is bargain night with all seats $10. $5 Student RUSH is available one hour before any performance, except May 13. A private donor has made provision for free tickets to anyone needing financial assistance to attend a Theatre event. The SJCT Box Office is open Tuesday-Friday, 11-4, Saturdays 11-2, and one hour before any performance. Call 360-378-3210, or go to www.SanJuanCommunityTheatre.org.

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NW Stone Sculptors Group Show

New FH Museum At Spring And Argyle Streets
The Northwest Stone Sculptors Association (NWSSA) has a show at the new Westcott Bay Institute's newly opened Island Museum of Art. The show is comprised of stone sculptures and sculptures that combine stone with other materials.

This is reputedly the largest exhibit of three-dimensional art, and certainly the largest exhibit of stone sculpture, to ever have been displayed at one time in Friday Harbor. The opportunity to see the work of so many different sculptors, with such a wide range of styles, in a Friday Harbor gallery setting is unique. From glowing translucent alabaster to black basalt, from representational works of animals and the human figure to abstract works, this show represents a full spectrum of stone and style.

The show will run until Saturday the 14th of May. All of the pieces have been created by members of the NWSSA group.
Click For Photo Of Exhibit

THE NWSSA is a 300 member organization that puts on symposiums, a bimonthly news journal and sponsors exhibits.

The Westcott Bay Institute also has the Westcott Bay Reserve, a 19 acre park like site at Roche harbor where 100 works of art can be seen. To learn more about the Institute, click here: WESTCOTT BAY INSTITUTE




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