Wednesday, June 5, 2002
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Wednesday, June 5, 2002 |
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Hilarious musical features strong local talent Matthew Bailey of Newnan and Bert Lyons of Sharpsburg will play two of the featured roles in the upcoming LaGrange Opera Theater production of "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum", scheduled for June 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16 at Price Theater on the campus of LaGrange College. "Forum" has been called "Broadway's greatest farce" and is considered by many to be one of the funniest musicals ever written. Sponsored by the Lafayette Society of Performing Arts, performance times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays. Bailey, a veteran of the stage, makes his LOT debut as Pseudolus, a role he performed previously for the Newnan Theatre Company. He has performed leading roles in numerous productions at Morris Brown College, the Fayette Community Theatre and the Newnan Theatre Company, including Pirates of Penzance (Major General Stanley), Porgy and Bess (Sportin' Life), Wizard of Oz (Oz). In addition to his day job with the Georgia Press Association, he is Minister of Music at the Greater Mt. Zion AME Church, serves as house manager for the Newnan Community Theater Co. and performs Political Satire for the Governor and 500 of his Friends. Bert Lyons of Shapsburg will perform the role of Lycus. He made his debut with LOT in last year's production of Pirates of Penzance. Lyons has performed a variety of roles with numerous theater companies, ranging from a police officer to criminal, loving father to the mythical Sandman, Shakespearean sidekick to Miller's adulterous pilgrim. "Forum" marks the season finale for LOT which successfully produced "The Pirates of Penzance" and "Amahl and the Night Visitors" last year, and this will be LOT's first production of a full scale Broadway musical theater production. Others in the cast include: Pier Mallory, Brittany Baird, Rachel Hoogacker, Stephani Foster, Shannon Salter, Nakema Glanton, Brandon Johnson, Jim Short, Jeff Brumbeloe, Nick Levan and Braden Norton. "Forum", opened on Broadway in 1962 to rave reviews. The music and lyrics were written by Stephen Sondheim. Zero Mostel played the role of Pseudolus in both the original Broadway show and in the 1966 movie version. Since then there have been two Broadway revivals of the play headlined by Phil Silvers in 1974 and Nathan Lane in 1996. All three performers won Tony Awards for their performances. LaGrange Opera Theatre has performed for thousands of Troup County school children over the past 4 years through their "Opera in the Schools" productions of "The Magic Flute" and "Sweet Betsy From Pike." In addition they have entertained the residents of LaGrange and West Central Georgia through their productions of "Amahl and the Night Visitors," "Pirates of Penzance," "La Bella Voce: An Elegant Evening of Opera", "Fascinatin' Rhythm, A Centenary Celebration of the Music of George Gershwin"; "A Grand Night For Singing", the works of Rodgers and Hammerstein"; and "Sentimental Journey: A 1940's Radio Show". Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, ages 65 and over and are on sale now from any cast member or the LSPA office. Additional information is available by calling the LSPA Center office at 706-882-9909.
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