Porthouse goes for laughs all summer with 'Funny Thing Happened,' 'Wonderettes,' 'Prom'
This summer season at the outdoor Porthouse Theatre is a time to laugh, said Producing Artistic Terri Kent, starting with the currently playing, giddily funny "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and continuing with the bubbly girl quartet in "The Marvelous Wonderettes" and the heartwarming humor in "The Prom."
"I think that we need to laugh and to have some fun. We've come through such a rough three years," Kent said, pointing to having to cancel some performances of "West Side Story" last year because of COVID-19. "People (audiences) have been cautious about coming out."
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Make way for lots of levity this summer at the open-air, summer amphitheater in Cuyahoga Falls with a bucolic setting on the grounds of Blossom Music Center.
"We wanted a season of all fun and laughs, nothing too heavy," Kent said. "It's just time to come together and be happy."
It's the perfect time to produce "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," the classic 1962 Broadway farce with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart.
"It certainly is a nod to him and to pay our respects and honor his work," Kent said of Broadway great Sondheim, who died in late 2021. "Forum" was the first Broadway show for which he wrote both the music and lyrics.
The show, which opens with the tune "Comedy Tonight," combines the 2,000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with classic vaudeville.
It stars Kent alumnus Dylan Ratell as slave Pseudolus, Rohn Thomas as the ridiculus Erronius, and faculty members Tim Culver as Hysterium, Jay White as Senex and Lara Troyer as his wife, Domina. Joseph Ball plays Marcus Lycus, owner of a courtesan house, Dante Murray portrays braggart soldier Miles Glorious, current Kent student Anthony Gahli plays young lover Hero and KSU grad Allison Sheski plays his ditzy love interest, Philia.
To prepare the younger cast members, Kent talked to them about the genius timing of classic comedians, including the wildly funny Zero Mostel, who originated the lead role of Pseudolous on Broadway, as well as Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and Tim Conway.
Martin Cespedes' choreography kicks the show "up a notch," said Kent, and costume designer Victoria Mearini plays with the Roman look by pairing tunics with Converse high tops for the men.
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This year, each of Porthouse shows will preview on Fridays and open on Saturdays.
Here's a look at the rest of the season.
'The Marvelous Wonderettes' at Porthouse Theatre
Riley MycIntyre, Alexis Wilson, Emma Rose and Hannah Hall will star as the girls who sing at the 1958 Springfield High School prom and then again at their 10-year reunion in "The Marvelous Wonderettes." Classic '50s and '60s hits include "Lollipop," "Dream Lover" and "Stupid Cupid" as these ladies perform and share about their lives and loves.
The four-woman jukebox comedy featuring characters Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy is directed and choreographed by Kent State professor Amy Fritsche.
It runs June 30 to July 15. The Off-Broadway hit was written and created by Roger Bean in 1999.
'The Prom' at Porthouse Theatre
Kent will don her directing hat again for "The Prom," which is making its Northeast Ohio professional premiere at Porthouse.
The musical, running July 21 through Aug. 6, is musically directed by Alexandre Marr and choreographed by Martin Cespedes.
"'The Prom' is the only show I've ever paid twice to see on Broadway," Kent said. "I thought it was one of the funniest and most heart-touching shows that I'd ever seen."
In "The Prom," all high schooler Emma Nolan wants to do is take the girl she likes to the prom. But people in her small town of Edgewater, Indiana, try to stop that from happening.
Enter down-and-out New York actors Barry, Dee Dee, Angie and Trent, who take up the bullied Emma's cause in a misguided attempt to resurrect their careers through the positive publicity they expect. They end up learning a thing or two.
"They decide to come help but actually make things worse, in some ways," Kent said.
After seeing "The Prom" on Broadway, she jumped at getting the rights to the show at Porthouse, knowing exactly whom she wanted to cast as this story's quartet of meddling actors.
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The joyful show is a special homecoming for Eric van Baars, former Porthouse executive director, who will return to play the role of seasoned Broadway actor Barry Glickman. Joining him will be Porthouse favorite Sandra McPherson as self-absorbed Broadway actress Dee Dee, Fritsche as forever chorus girl Angie and Morgan Mills as narcissistic actor Trent.
Lane LaVonne of Rider University plays the brave Emma and Kent student Jocelyn Trimmer plays her girlfriend, Alyssa, in this musical comedy about love, acceptance and inclusivity.
"In the end, there is redemption for all characters," Kent said.
Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.
Details
Musical: "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"
When: Continuing through June 24. 8 p.m. Friday (June 16). 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday (June 17). 2 p.m. Sunday (June 18). 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday (June 20-24).
Where: Porthouse Theatre, 3143 O'Neil Road, Cuyahoga Falls
Cost: $15-$45
Information: www.porthousetheater.com, 330-672-3884
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Porthouse seeks laughs with 'Forum,' 'Wonderettes,' 'Prom'
