Theatre VCU takes on Sondheim for spring production

If the energy and enthusiasm of the cast, vividly colorful design and confidence of the director are anything to go by, then Theatre VCU’s spring 2006 season should go out with a bang.

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” is a musical comedy based on ancient Roman plays. It is the story of Pseudolus (Landon Nagel), a slave who tries to gain freedom by fostering a romance between his master’s son Hero (Anthony Santiago) and the young virgin Philia (Erin Morgan).

“The main theme deals with a need for personal freedom,” director Gary Hopper said. “It’s the underlying theme through all the vaudeville gags. At the beginning, Pseudolus sings a song about being free, which sets the tone for the rest of the show.”

The show was picked to balance out the VCU season with a bright, high-energy musical comedy. After nine weeks of rehearsals, Hopper said the students are ready for an audience.

Hopper is the assistant chair and director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Theatre. He has been an acting professor for 27 years. He has directed over 50 plays for VCU.

When auditioning the actors for the musical, Hopper looked for the right level of what he calls “comic nervousity.” The show is chock- full of vaudeville wisecracks, slapstick and off-color humor.

“We had the acting and singing talent to do a musical,” Hopper said, “I got the cast I wanted, which is rare here because you have to negotiate with the other directors. I feel very blessed to have gotten everyone I wanted.”

For the design, Hopper wanted it to feel like stepping into a Walt Disney production. The craftsmen and designers bring this idea to life with dazzlingly intricate and kaleidoscopic costumes, sets and lights.

The show opened on Broadway in 1962. It is the longest-running Stephen Sondheim show to date at 966 performances. It was turned into a movie in 1966.

Landon Nagel

Landon Nagel, 24, is a sophomore performance theatre major. He plays the slave Pseudolus. Nagel said the show has been very hard work, especially since he hasn’t played a lead character in a long time.

Having to balance 27 hours of rehearsal a week with his regular class load has been all-consuming, and at times overwhelming. Nagel has also put in many extra hours in one-on-one work with director Gary Hopper and vocal coach Janet Rodgers.

Nagel said the cast is ready to go. The Wednesday morning matin