A funny thing’s happening at Biloxi’s Center Stage

No civilized person of a certain age has forgotten the Roman Empire-era romp about a bumptious slave wrangling his freedom from two love-struck innocents that took Broadway by storm 50 years ago: “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

The only question, where community theater productions of the show are concerned, is whether they can offer a worthy successor to the Tony Award-winning play and memorable 1966 film.

That query’s answer, at Biloxi’s Center Stage Theatre, is a resounding “Yes,” and the audience is destined to exit Center Stage humming Stephen Sondheim’s immortal tunes and declaring that this cast came, performed, conquered.

The Roman hijinks on display in this rousing musical ode to buffoonery and venality never fail to entertain, thanks in no small part to the rib-tickling one-liners by Hysterium (David Delk), or the show’s signature song, “Comedy Tonight,” perfectly rendered by Chet Landry as Pseudolus.

Director Chuck White has assembled and brilliantly guided an energetic cast that keeps this show moving at the snappy pace theatergoers expect from Forum.

Coast residents have also come to expect professional musical direction and choreography from Center Stage musicals, and Debra Atkinson and Jennifer Densing, respectively, do not disappoint.

Audiences will expect the finest acting and singing after they see Nels Anderson’s breathtaking set and revel in Melinda Jones’ and Becky Greens’ magnificent costumes that transport all back to the glory (and slime) that once was Rome.

And this cast wastes no time bringing the laughs with the antics of the long-suffering Senex (Wayne Stephens) and his oppressive wife Domina (Carrie Ferguson-Bellew); yielding perfect pitch acting by Anthony Kalburg (Lycus) and Joel Herr (Gloriosus); and offering unsurpassed warbling and capering by would-be lovers Hero (Sean Harding) and Philia (Rebecca Smith).

But apart from the strong voices and spot-on comic timing of every cast member, what may impress the viewer most is the way they all bury themselves in every sparkling moment.

For example, if you can take your eyes off the raucous gyrations of dancing courtesans Hadley Hill and Jacalyn Wetzel, you’ll notice how everyone on stage is watching and reacting to what they’re doing as intently as you.

Everyone, from the leads to the supporting cast of soldiers, slaves and courtesansm loses themselves in joyously kinetic roles. These are the gifts bestowed by a veteran cast, crew and director determined to bring this venerable half-century old comedy to life.

This story was originally published July 22, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "A funny thing’s happening at Biloxi’s Center Stage."