"Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" opens this week

University Theater presents Stephen Sondheim’s musical, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”, for a six-day run in the Ford Theater of Bliss Hall on the campus of Youngstown State University.

Performances are Friday, Saturday and Sunday Nov. 18, 19 and 20, and Dec. 2, 3 and 4. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. while the Sunday matinee performances are at 2 p.m.

Adult tickets are $16. Special rate tickets are $8 for non-YSU students, YSU faculty and staff with valid ID, senior citizens, Penguin Club members and groups of eight (8) or more. YSU student tickets are free with valid ID. Tickets are available by calling 330-941-3105 or visiting www.ysu.tix.com.

On opening night, Friday, Nov. 18, an informal artwalk called “Blissful Beginnings” will be offered to showcase the arts in the College of Creative Arts and Communication. The free event begins at 6 p.m. and will include a visit to the Fall Graduating BFA exhibition at the McDonough Museum of Art; guest artist Timothy Massey’s exhibit in Bliss Hall’s Judith Rae Solomon Gallery; and musical entertainment in the theater lobby. There is no additional cost.

The show’s synopsis: Pseudolus is the laziest slave in Rome and has but one wish, to purchase his freedom. When his master and mistress leave for the day he finds out that the young master has fallen in love with a virgin in the house of Lycus, a slave dealer specializing in beautiful women. Pseudolus concocts a deal in which he will be freed if he can procure the girl for young Hero. Of course, it can't be that simple, as everything begins to go wrong.

The cast includes Ben Mowrer, Independence, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Mac Callahan, Stoutsville, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Simon Davis, Maple Heights, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Stefon Funderburke, Farrell, PA, BFA Musical Theater; Katie Jerome, Westlake, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Gabby Martin, Marysville, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Jacob Emerson, Ashtabula, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Aaron Gutauckas, Chesterland, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Angelique Tanner, Waverly, OH, BFA Musical Theater; AnnMarie Lowerre, Butler, PA, BFA Musical Theater; Halla Henry, Rochester, PA, BFA Musical Theater; Mia Colon, Youngstown, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Jessica Hirsh, Pepper Pike, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Makenzie Moorman, Piketon, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Jacob Nash, Canfield, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Tristan Kile, Ashtabula, OH, BFA Musical Theater; DJ Davis, Reynoldsburg, OH, BA Theater Studies; and Daniel Navabi, Columbus, OH, BFA Musical Theater.

In addition, Department of Theater and Dance professional staff includes Scenic/Lighting Designer, Ellen E. Jones; Production Manager, Todd Dicken; Costume Designer, Katherine Garlick; Costume Shop Supervisor, Rebel Mickelson, and Musical Director, graduate student Ian Leroy.

Notice: Wick Avenue is closed to the M30 parking deck. Motorists should follow posted detours to Walnut Street, where the parking deck may be accessed. For more information, call 330-941-2307.

Caption: Students in the upcoming University Theater production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” include (l-r) Ben Mowrer as Pseudolus, Gabby Martin as Philia and Stefon Funderburke as Hero.