INDY'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTING ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Comedy tonight

Footlite Musicals is presenting the first of this year’s two renditions of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (the second will open in August at Beef & Boards). And though the script itself is a hit and miss affair, Footlite does a solid job with the slap-stick, raucous comedy.

The plot involves the people who live in three houses on the same street. The first is owned by Erronius, an old man searching for his children, who were abducted by pirates when they were small. The second is occupied by Senex, his wife Domina, their son Hero and the family’s two slaves. The third belongs to Lycus, who sells women. The crux of the issue is that Hero has fallen in love with one of the women Lycus owns, a virgin who has already been sold. Hero’s slave, Pseudolus, desperately wants his freedom, and strikes a bargain with Hero: If Pseudolus can get Hero the woman he loves, Hero will set him free. And thus the comedy begins.

Jim Spangler as Pseudolus is energetic and fit to take the lead in this cast. He milks the humor, no matter the silly consequences. R. Brian Noffke, as fellow slave Hysterium, does the comedy bit he is best known for, and is hysterical in his cross-dressing scenes. Also of note is Michael Moyser as a stupendously ridiculous Miles Gloriosus, an army captain who has bought the virgin Philia. Think Gaston from Beauty and the Beast with more subtlety. And though scantly on stage, Rich Baker as Erronius is simply adorable.

A cast of courtesans supports the backdrop, with Jeff Angel as Lycus as a fine ringleader. Domina and Senex, Elizabeth Ruddell and Bill Hale, Hero’s parents, each have their moments. But their son, played by Trevor Bates, is weak in his role — his heart doesn’t seem to be in the part. Rebecca DeVries, as Hero’s love Philia, is adequately bubbly.

Although the rest of the costumes are great, the courtesans’ red net outfits for the funeral scene seem a little … tacky. On that note: Parents be aware that this show is just a touch risqué. And, the orchestra doesn’t drown out the actors! An accomplishment for this theater.

Director Ellie Sellars imbues smart details into the performance that make it more enjoyable. You can compare and contrast come August. Footlite’s Forum continues through May 23, 1847 N. Alabama St., 926-6630, www.footlite.org.