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REVIEWS
Fine Forum quite funny
By Jane Rupel,
"Duluth News-Tribune"
Paul Sahuc in a tunic
again? The last time that happened (in UMD Opera Theatre's Dido and
Aeneas in
May), we called the production "as interesting as a Latin book."
This time, a funny
thing happened. And we laughed. A lot.
Wednesday night
was the occasion for Sahuc's return in classical garb to the Marshall
Performing Arts Center stage, as Minnesota Repertory Theatre opened its
1999 season with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
Playing before an
audience of about 100, the Roman-era musical farce was a hit.
Sahuc got a chance
to ham and strut in his role as the boastful captain Miles Gloriosus.
While it was fun to see the versatile operatic baritone in a lighter
role, the spotlight really belonged to Adam Hummel. In his dual roles as
Prologus and Pseudolus, Hummel provided the comic centerpiece for the
play.
His previous roles
(as straight-edge Warnock Waldgrave in last summer's "The Nerd" and Mr.
Kirby in "You Can't Take It With You") kept Hummel's effervescence and
spunk a secret, but the wily, duplicitous character of Pseudolus gave
the actor a chance to show off the finesse of his comic touches--a
raised eyebrow here, a gesture there.
Unfortunately,
Hummel's vocal range didn't quite fit the memorable Sondheim overture,
"Comedy Tonight," which he delivered with delightful stage presence and
noticeable growl. As he graveled his way though each crescendo, we
couldn't help wishing it had been transposed to a more manageable key.
Visiting actors
Stephen Barth (of Lincoln, Neb.) and Ted Stephens (of Davenport, Iowa)
played the father and son roles of Senex and Hero, respectively. As
Senex, Barth cut a goofy figure of amorous intent and dubious physical
wherewithal. Stephens' Hero exuded innocence and awkwardness.
UMD senior Bryan
Maus was hilarious in his intermittent appearances as the blithely (and
blindly) unaware Erronius. Fellow senior Amanda Durst brought down the
house as the outrageously attired dominatrix, Gymnasia.
From the principle
players to the walk-ons and one-liners, the cast (under direction of UMD
professor William Payne) gave a wonderfully funny performance opening
night.
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