THEATER REVIEW : LACKLUSTER ‘FORUM’ NEEDS SOME EXTRA PIZAZZ

You can do a lot to “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and still leave the humor intact.

Over the years since Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart’s book joined Stephen Sondheim’s music and lyrics--the whole lot stolen from some nifty Roman stories by Plautus--this musical has been abused by college students, community players and professionals from coast to coast.

Last weekend, the International Company of United States International University opened its version at The Theatre in Old Town. As “Forums” go, this one is lukewarm--not completely lifeless, still able to tickle its sold-out house, but definitely missing the extra pizazz that would have made it a sizzling production.

Jeff Thomson’s painted pink “marble” sets are what first confront the eye. The infamous bawdy House of Marcus Lycus is relatively tasteful, not lit up in neon as some productions have offered. The female busts at the top of its Roman colonnades are more ugly than provocative.

The house of the henpecked citizen, Senex, which employs our two slave heroes, Pseudolus and Hysterium, boasts out-of-perspective gold trim on its swelling pillars and a series of cartoon sketches at rooftop level. The design is passable enough, given that we are about to enjoy “A Comedy Tonight,” but don’t expect much innovation from this student production.

That goes for the singing, acting, dancing, music and staging, as well as the design.

Directed by Jack Tygett, the USIU production entertains largely because Sondheim’s witty songs can survive mediocre voices slightly out of tempo with the backstage musicians.

Shevelove and Gelbart’s humorous telling of Pseudolus’ sly bargaining for his freedom is likewise pressed almost beyond its limits by youthful actors who have not yet perfected the split-second timing of farce.

This is the supreme test of a musical comedy: Can it survive hundreds of productions that feed upon second-hand inspiration from those first showy stagings? “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” is a survivor. It is still funny.

Bob Mack, in the key role of Pseudolus, relies on the memory of the late Zero Mostel’s brilliant originating performances for both stage and film versions--as do so many actors cast in this demanding part.

Mack has Mostel’s hefty size, plus--and it is that “plus” that has him laboring to keep up. With so much energy expended when he’s required to sing, or speak, or lead wild chases in and out of the painted pillars, Mack’s face is frequently blank when he’s not “on.”

His performance borders on success, but it is often bereft of facial antics, or subtle pauses, shifts, and the other clues that a skilled vaudevillian learns to help an audience swallow this kind of farcical comedy. Too little experience is Mack’s problem.

And it is the problem of many others in the cast. Pseudolus’ multipurpose partners in comedy, the bumbling Proteans (Allen Benjamin, David Brannen, Phil Gold and Walter Jones) needed much more rehearsal to spiff up their lackluster timing.

The Courtesans from the House of Marcus Lycus (Andrea Hayes, Traci Parramore, Kimberly Root, Asa Delborn, Kim Hallmark and Debby Williams), who are supposed to be, um, multitalented, projected very little stage talent through Liz Stillwell’s uninspired choreography. One of the girls, Gymnasia (Williams), actually does nothing at all but stand and display a generous bosom.

This parade of Lycus’ “merchandise” is funniest when the sexism is overblown, but here director, cast and choreographer have staged the scene as if bored with the whole idea.

The mediocrity has spread contagiously, but there are some bright points in this production.

Catherine Sholty as the overbearing wife, Domina, shows herself to be a quite capable singing comedienne. Likewise, Brenda O’Brien’s natural comic abilities shine delightfully through the ingenue role of the virgin Philia.

Kirk Mouser, as the young Hero, matches O’Brien’s golden-haired appeal, curl for shiny curl, song for song.

Tim Irving is very funny as the No. 2 slave, Hysterium, while Richard Allen manages a few good moments as the dirty old man, Senex.

When orchestra and singers (directed by Kerry Duse) agree on tempo, the music suffices--again, nothing spectacular given the Old Town Theatre’s barn-like acoustics and the cast’s average vocal skills.

At least Judy Ryerson attempted to bring something new to her costume design, dressing up plain white tunics with big orange dots, green squiggles and pastel extravagance. But her enthusiasm led her to incorporate some very modern fabrics, giving the costumes a sloppy, unauthentic feeling.

If it’s possible that there is a soul in San Diego who has not seen “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” USIU’s production will do well enough. But one hopes that the faculty of this performing arts school will soon begin to stress innovation and energy--the kind that, once the lines and steps are learned, zings across the auditorium and ignites an audience.

“A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM “ Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Directed by Jack Tygett. Music director is Kerry Duse. Choreography by Laurel Kyne. Scenery by Jeff Thomson. Lighting by Liz Stillwell. Costumes by Judy Ryerson. Producer is Gordon Hilker. With Bob Mack, Richard Allan, Catherine Sholty, Tim Irving, Kirk Mouser, Adam Pelty, Brenda O’Brien, Cecil O. Johnson and Roy Mote. Tonight through Saturday and May 21-24 at 8 p.m., Sunday and May 25 at 2 p.m., at The Theatre in Old Town, 4040 Twiggs St., San Diego. Produced by the International Company of USIU.