Skaneateles actor Ted Davenport, at right, will play the part of Senex in the Auburn Theatre's upcoming production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." Sharon Dec of Auburn, at left, plays Domina.
Auburn — When the curtain opens on the Auburn Players Community Theatre’s winter musical, Skaneateles residents will see a familiar face in one of the leading roles.
Former Skaneateles High School English and drama teacher Ted Davenport will be featured in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” as Senex, the long-suffering husband who becomes infatuated with the courtesan whom he thinks is his new maid.
“I’ve been in this show but never played this part before,” Davenport said. “I’m 74 and going to be singing and dancing on the stage. When I told a friend of mine that she said, ‘You?’”
The musical was the first attempt at a Broadway score by composer Stephen Sondheim, but although most other aspects of the show garnered Tony nominations (and won seven, including Best Musical), Sondheim was mostly ignored. Since its opening in 1962 with Zero Mostel in the role of Pseudolus, the slave who will do anything to win his freedom, the show has enjoyed numerous revivals as well as a 1966 movie starring Mostel, Phil Silvers and Buster Keaton.
Director Barbara Murphy says this is one of her favorite musicals and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to direct the comedy, which is loosely based on the style of the ancient playwright Plautus.
“It’s very rarely done, and hasn’t been done around here in a long, long time. That’s why I chose it,” Murphy said. “I think it will be popular with older people who remember the movie.”
“Forum” is a fast-paced physical comedy that includes outrageous puns, mistaken identities and exhausting chases with actors disguised as one other. While most musicals are written with many individual scenes, “Forum” is a physical test for the cast, with continuous action from start to finish, no scene changes, and the entire cast onstage for the majority of the show.
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OldTimeLaker 3 months, 4 weeks ago
Mr. Davenport was bigger than life when I was a student there. He is a Skaneateles treasure! God Bless you Mr. Davenport for your passion for the arts. You have touched us all in a wonderful way! The last time I ran into you, I didn't think you remembered me. Much to my surprise, you gave me a huge hug. You, Coach B. Miss Wickes, Mr. D and Mr. H., and all the wonderful teachers I had at SCS made me the person I am today. Thanks!
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