A Funny Thing Happened
on the Way to the Forum

Don't get me wrong! You'll probably have a good time if you go to see the new production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, directed by Mark Waldrop, at Paper Mill. The script by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart has laughs aplenty; the opening number in Stephen Sondheim's score, "Comedy Tonight," sets just the right tone for the show; and the bright, crazily tilted, cartoon-like houses in Ray Klausen's set put a smile of delight on my face even before the first words were uttered on stage. It's a good, breezy, cheery production. But, alas, it's not a great production.

I had a good time. But opportunities for laughs were missed. One important thing that's missing is the madcap spirit of freedom that's needed to make this farce fully come to life. Another important thing that's missing is a larger-than-life comic star—a great clown who doesn't just read the amusing  lines that the authors have written, but is funny in and of himself. From the original Broadway production to the most recent Broadway revivals, this show has had great stars—Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg—who've felt free to add shtick and to ad lib, and create an air of spontaneity. Paul Vogt, in the starring role of this production, feels like just another player in a solid ensemble. He's likeable, and agreeable, but not a standout. I paid as much attention to others with much smaller roles (like the well-cast Chet Carlin and  John Scherer) as I did to him.

(Pictured: John Scherer Stephen Berger, Greg Vinkler and Paul C. Vogt. Photo by T. Charles Erickson).

Chip Deffaa
Cabaret Scenes
March 20, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org