WT Theatre Hopes for Big Laughs with ‘Forum’ Musical

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — There’s “never a dull moment” in West Texas A&M University Theatre’s season-ending production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

The classic musical will be staged at 7:30 pm. April 24 to 26 and May 1 to 3, plus 2:30 p.m. May 4, in the Branding Iron Theatre in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex on WT’s Canyon campus.

The musical—featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Burt Shrevelove and Larry Gelbart—takes inspiration from both ancient Roman farces and American vaudeville comedy. In the show, Pseudolus (played by Ray Barber, a senior musical theatre major from Conroe) desperately tries scheme after scheme to win his freedom.

“There’s never a dull moment, not only in the show, but also for Pseudolus,” Barber said. “Every line he says is a chance to crack a joke or do some big physical gesture to get a laugh.

“For someone like me who loves comedy and loves making an audience laugh, it’s a very fun role to get to play,” Barber said.

Director Echo Sunyata Sibley said she’s encouraging her cast to “lean into the farce and ridiculousness.”

“We’re approaching this from the lens of commedia dell’arte (an early form of Italian professional theatre),” Sibley said. “This show is all about class systems—masters and slaves trying to one-up each other. And that’s what commedia dell’arte is all about—archetypes, social commentary big physical comedy.”

And not just physical comedy.

“We’re going for an over-the-top, cartoony feel,” Sibley said. “The colors of the set are really vivid. The costumes are really fun. … And the best part of it is trying new bits with the actors but also letting them try their own things.”

Sibley said WT Theatre considers the musical to be rated PG-13 because of suggestive humor.

Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and free for WT students, faculty and staff with a Buff Gold Card.

For tickets, visit the WT Box Office, call 806-651-2810 email artsboxoffice@wtamu.edu, or visit cur8.com/17516/project/131213.

Cast members also include Bella Bailey, a junior musical theatre major from Little Elm, as Hysterium; Jonah Gonzales, a senior theatre major from Plains, as Senex; Rylee Bass, a senior theatre major from Brownsboro, as Domina; Logan Lawhon, a sophomore musical theatre major from Midland, as Hero; Jackie Arellano, a junior musical theatre major from El Paso, as Phila; Mario Banos, a senior theatre major from Perryton, as Miles; Devin Lindley, a junior musical theatre major from Pampa, as Marcus Lycus; Lee Roberson, a junior musical theatre major from La Porte, as Erronius; Angelica Pantoja, a senior theatre major from Lubbock, as Gymnasia; Savannah Bohl, a senior theatre major from Muenster, and P.J. Jewett, a senior musical theatre major from Monahans, as the Geminae; Avery Fedele, a freshman musical theatre major from Andrews, as Panacea; Morgan Baily, a junior musical theatre major from El Paso, as Vibrata; Tori Ybarra, a sophomore musical theatre major from Austin, as Tintinabula; and Daniel Baggerman, a freshman theatre major from Corpus Christi, as the eunuch.

Ensemble members include Peyton Hastings, a senior musical theatre major from Sundown; Kyndal Knapp, a senior theatre major from Pampa; Clara Moos, a senior musical theatre major from Plano; and Victoria Reyes, a senior musical theatre major from Inez.  

Fostering an appreciation of the arts is key mission of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: Hysterium (Bella Bailey, left) and Pseudolus (Ray Barber) will lead audiences through West Texas A&M University Theatre’s production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” on stage April 24 to May 4 in the Branding Iron Theatre.

—WT—