Directing the musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" can be crossed off Todd Terrell's bucket list for shows. The Ball State alumnus is having his directing debut with this Muncie Civic Theatre comedy.
"It's a play I've always loved," he said. "I fell in love with it after watching the film version of it many, many years ago. It's just one of those shows that I just wanted to do because I think it's just such a great show."
The play, which has been in the making since mid-May, is set in ancient Rome and filled with innuendos and laughter.
"It deals a lot with mistaken identity, manipulation and a lot of intrigue," he said. "It's a funny, silly romp."
Whether played by young college students or local Muncie citizens, the characters of the musical breathe life into the script.
One of the main characters, Philia, is in a tug of war with her heart and what she knows is right according to custom. Although na+â-»ve in some ways, she tries to navigate the road ahead of her after being sold to a captain.
"She has been trained her whole life that she is there to please men, and that is what she should do," said Hannah Strayhorn, a senior musical theatre directing major who plays Philia. "She is sold to this captain and she must go with him because they have a contract."
At odds with her role as a courtesan is her love for another, Hero. Despite her feelings for him, she can't run away with him as she is bound by her contract. Strayhorn faced challenges in this role, including the difference between her character being na+â-»ve and unintelligent.
"She's na+â-»ve and doesn't get it, but she's not stupid," Strayhorn said. "That's a really hard line to not cross but was really important."
In addition to figuring out her character, she worked on her vocals with musical director and Ball State alumna Jen Arbogast. Strayhorn took lessons before rehearsals to improve for the musical.
"I've done things with my voice that I've dreamed of doing with my voice that I haven't gotten to do before," Strayhorn said. "We just worked really well together and communicated well together musically."
The music for the show is composed by Stephen Sondheim, who composed musicals such as "Sweeney Todd." Arbogast recently finished her master's dissertation on the composer, making the timing all too perfect.
"Stephen Sondheim is never easy as a composer," she said. "I definitely learned a lot through the process, and it was kind of unique that I got to finish up work on my dissertation while I was working on a musical written by him and learning about his music hands on."
Besides young adults perfecting their musical capabilities, one cast member has been hearing the sound of music for more than 50 years at the theatre where he began as a 14-year-old boy, participating in about 100 plays.
"I hope people take away a great deal of laughter and enjoyment and sing songs as they walk out the door," said Jan Etchison, who plays Senex.
Terrell has been around the theatre for years and had seen Etchison act previously.
"I remember going to see Jan in shows as a young boy," he said. "It's quite a thrill for me to be able to work with someone who has that history."
The connection beyond Ball State to the Muncie community is important for the musical as well as for student actors like Strayhorn who utilize the experience at the theatre.
"Muncie Civic is glad to have Ball State students in shows because it just sort of bridges the gap between the Muncie community and Ball State community," she said. "It is nice to get to act in a show and be part of a show."
Arbogast has also seen firsthand this unique relationship between the two and the importance of it being maintained.
"They want to work together with community members and Ball State students and utilize everybody's unique gifts and everyone's unique attributes that they bring to the table to create art on stage," she said. "I think they do a really great job of getting the community involved and getting Ball State involved."
Terrell encouraged the community to come see the play, as it is the last show in the theatre's 80th season.
"You will never see the Roman empire in the same light after seeing this show," he said. "It's something for everybody. There is romance, there's comedy, there's deception, there's manipulation. It's just got everything that a great show should have."
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" on the Mainstage Theatre
When: Friday and Saturday, July 20-22 and 26-28. Thursday through Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinee on July 22 is at 2:00 p.m.
Cost: Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for student
Before the show on July 28, there will be a reception for anyone who has been involved in Muncie Civic Theatre or is a supporter in honor of the end of the 80th season.
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