A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Book by BURT SHEVELOVE and LARRY GELBART
Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Originally Produced on Broadway by Harold S. Prince
April 30, May 1, & 2, 2026 @ 7:00pm
May 3, 2026 @ 2:00pm
at The Shop in Zion, Bellefonte, PA
Sondheim's joyous, musical romp through Rome has desperate lovers, scheming neighbors, and secrets behind every toga! The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors and a showgirl or two. This unforgettable, hysterical musical offers "something for everyone, a comedy tonight!"
TIME: Two hundred years before the Christian era, a day in spring
PLACE: A street in Rome in front of the houses of Erronius, Senex, and Lycus
This production is funded in part by grants from
A FUNNY THING...FORUM is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com.
Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
Cast
Prologus/Pseudolus.....................JONATHAN O’HARROW*
Hysterium........................................................CHRIS HIRSH
Senex............................................................TOM MCCLARY
Domina..........................................................KIM PLUMMER
Hero............................................................NICK BAPTISTA*
Philia...........................................................CAT ROKAVEC*^
Marcus Lycus.................................................HEIDI J. COLE
Miles Gloriosus..........................................MIKE WALDHIER
Erronius......................................................PHILLIP ZAPKIN
Proteans.........................JACOB BLUE*, STEFANIE AUSTIN,
JACK DONAHUE
Courtesans...................................CASSANDRA POORMAN*, MARI HOLLIDAY, LILLI FALCON-GUNTER, KYLIE RAE SCHULTZ, GABBY ROSENDALE,
SOPHIE KANDLER*
*Sock & Buskin debut
^ Fight captain
Orchestra
Conductor……………………………………………………JOSEPH APPEL
Piano………………………………………………………CLAY WULBRECHT
Trumpet…………..………………….…………………………JOYCE JONES
Trombone……………………..……….….....SHANNON ANDERSON
Reeds............………DOMINIC STEINER, AARON KAUFMAN
Bass………......………………………....CONNOR HUTTENLOCHER
Percussion………………….………………………SABRINA KAUFMAN
Keyboard (Strings)………....…….…….…........MICHAEL MARINI
Production Team
Director/Music Director/Co-Producer……………….........................JOSEPH APPEL
Assistant Director/Costumer/Props Master...............................KIM PLUMMER
Stage Manager......................................................................MELISSA BRANNEN
Assistant Stage Manager.........................….…........................RYAN GARTLAND*
Choreographer....................................................................................AMBER LEE
Technical Director/Lighting Designer.....................................ZACHARY MYERS
Sound Designer/Technician...........................................................CHIP TAYLOR
Lighting Technician………………….…………………………………………………….KAITLYN HUFF
Co-Producer/Set Lead....……………........................…………………..STEFANIE AUSTIN
Set Engineer/Construction………….………………………………………………..PETER AUSTIN
Set Crew..................................................DANIEL SKILES, J LANCE WILKINSON
Scenic Design/Painter…………………………………………………..........…………...KRIS ALLEN
Specialty Props...………………..………………...APRIL COCKBURN, SOPHIE KANDLER*
Vocal Coach/Casting Consultant………………………..……………………….ERIC BRINSER*
House Manager.................................................................AMY SHRECKENGAST
*First production role with Sock & Buskin
Meet The Cast
Jonathan O'Harrow
Prologus, Pseudolus
Jonathan is making his Sock & Buskin debut with Forum. He has performed, directed, and designed with several theatre companies throughout the region. Favorite roles include Vanya in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Miss Trunchbull in Matilda, Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, Max Bialystock in The Producers, and, of course, Pseudolus in previous productions of Forum. He has directed productions of Grease, Smokey Joe’s Café, Steel Magnolias, Urinetown, Annie Get Your Gun, Beyond Therapy, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Drowsy Chaperone, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, and Into the Woods. Jonathan works as the director of strategic communications at Penn State Altoona. He lives in Altoona with his husband, William, and their cat, Bedelia.
Chris Hirsh
Hysterium
Chris is thrilled to be back on stage for his second production with Sock & Buskin! After appearing as David in their production of Rehearsal for Murder, he is excited to trade modern mystery for a toga and some ancient Roman chaos. You could say he’s really “roman” around the stage looking for his next big laugh! Other favorite credits include playing the smooth-talking Corny Collins in Hairspray and the lovestruck Billy Crocker in Anything Goes. When he isn’t busy managing the antics of the House of Senex, he enjoys bringing high-energy characters to life and collaborating with such a talented local cast. He would like to thank the entire crew for their hard work and hopes you enjoy the comedy tonight!
Tom McClary
Senex
Previously for Sock & Buskin, Tom has appeared as Curtis Appleby in Night Watch, William Werner in Slain at the Speakeasy, and Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap. He also directed two of the eight short plays in S&B’s 2024 one-act play festival and was casting director for the entire production. He has an MFA in Drama from UNC-Greensboro and is a member of the Dramatists Guild, the national professional organization for playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists. His produced plays include Caught in the Act; Flights of Devils; Benchmarks; Serendipity; and Please Don’t Shoot the Pinao Player - He’s Doing the Best He Can. When not involved in theatre, he enjoys walking and writing poetry. He is currently re-reading all of Jane Austen’s novels in order to remain sane in these challenging times.
Kim Plummer
Domina | Assistant Director, Costumer, Props
Kim is excited to be wearing several different hats (not to mention several wigs) as the costume/props lead, Assistant Director, and playing the role of Domina. She is employed as the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations for Penn State Dickinson Law/School of International Affairs at Penn State University. She has appeared in many local theatre productions over the last 16 years. Stage credits include: A Fox on the Fairway, Rehearsal for Murder, Much Ado About Nothing, 12 Angry Jurors, Mrs. Peacock in Clue: Onstage, Violet Newstead in 9 to 5: The Musical, Billie Dawn in Born Yesterday, Elvira in Blithe Spirit, and Belinda Blair in Noises Off. She wishes to thank her family for always supporting her love of theatre and her theatre family, for always providing encouragement.
Nick Baptista
Hero
Nick is excited to make his Sock & Buskin debut as Hero, and is honored to be part of their first musical! He has previously performed as Tevye in Bellefonte High School’s production of Fiddler on the Roof, and worked backstage for Feathers and Teeth with student-run club No Refund Theatre at Penn State University, where he now studies. Outside of theatre, Nick loves to sing, play guitar, and make music, and is a professional snowboard instructor. He would like to thank everyone that has been so supportive throughout this production and hopes to work with them again.
Cat Rokavec
Philia | Fight Captain
Cat is thrilled to be making her Sock & Buskin debut in their first-ever musical! She is no stranger to the local music scene, where she performs as a singer for the Coal Aly Band. Previous favorite theatre roles include Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Percy Jackson in The Lightning Thief Musical, Marianne Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility, and Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone. Cat is delighted to be working with this lovely cast filled with talented and hilarious humans. She would like to thank her husband, Chris, even though he did not mention her in his bio.
Heidi J. Cole
Marcus Lycus
Ms. Cole is delighted to be in Sock & Buskin’s first musical! She has appeared (also singing and dancing) in Suite Surrender as Claudia McFadden and Cutthroat Christmas 2: Deadly Deals as Greg Girl #4 AKA Carol Newhart. This is also her second time playing the male gender–her first time being Mr. Paravicini in Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. Heidi has also worked with SCCT and Tempest Productions and performed standup comedy and improv, but her main love is still singing, performing at singing concerts with Kelly Scott Studios and karaoke (wherever she can find it). She’d like to thank Mr. Appel for working with her in another show, the cast and crew for all their support and hard work and all the lovely people who have introduced themselves as fans.
Mike Waldhier
Miles Gloriosus
Mike Waldhier is thrilled to be in a musical once again after a long hiatus. Mostly seen in plays locally, prior musicals include Bat Boy, Fun Home, Cabaret, Assassins, Les Miserables, Spamalot, Little Shop of Horrors, 1776, My Fair Lady, and Guys & Dolls, among others. Outside of State College, Mike has done improvisational theater, performed in both New York and Chicago, and acted with Central Illinois Shakespeare at the ISF. Both on and off stage, he loves his wife, Laura.
Phillip Zapkin
Erronius
Phillipos Zapkinius is a lifelong devotee of Bacchus, and for the past several years has primarily practiced his cultic rites in the temple of Sock & Buskin, sometimes SCCT. He is excited to once again provide the senate and people of Centre County with circuses–even if they need to supply their own bread. To show his dedication to performing Erronius, Phillipos has continuously gotten older throughout the rehearsal process. Hail Joe, we who are about to clown, salute you!
Jacob Blue
Protean
Jacob Blue is ecstatic to make his debut as a Protean in Forum. Even though Jacob has been a proud theatre nerd since birth, this will be his first performance on a musical stage. His love for singing, nurtured by his mother Colleen, carried him through school, where he gained thirteen first place awards at talent shows. While at Juniata College, Jacob continued singing in the Concert Choir, where he had the opportunity to travel around North and South America. He considers himself to be a “Jake of All Trades” and rarely serious (unless necessary), which he hopes comes through in his various roles in Forum. He would like to thank everyone at Sock & Buskin, a community he instantly and repetitively “falls” for, and looks forward to future opportunities with them.
Stefanie Austin
Protean | Co-Producer, Set Lead
Stefanie is a proud founding director of Sock & Buskin Theatre Company and has served in nearly every onstage and offstage role in community theatre since 2014. Forum is Stefanie’s first musical since high school; she is equally nervous and excited to be part of this incredibly talented cast and crew – thanks for the encouragement and for the laughter! She expresses special thanks to her husband and kids for letting her practice her songs ad nauseum; to Kris for the many, many hours spent in her garage painting our beautiful Roman homes; and to Joe for his incredible leadership, dedication, insight, and partnership in S&B’s first musical – this truly could not and would not have been done without him! “Productions like Forum remind me of the diverse talent in our community, the magic of live theatre, and of all the amazing things we can make and do when we work together.”
Jack Donahue
Protean
Jack is an author, actor, and musician from the state College area. As a veteran of the stage and the show of life, he is thrilled to be part of Sock & Buskin’s first musical production and is honored to be able to work with such a talented group of performers and production crew.
Cassandra Poorman
Tintinabula
Welcome playgoers! Cassandra bids you her finest “hello” as she performs in her first Sock & Buskin show! She is very excited to be participating in another musical after playing Liesl in The Sound of Music. It has been a wonderful experience to be a part of various community theatre productions since she graduated from Liberty University in 2024, and she is thankful she can now add this show to her list of cherished memories. This musical has given her the opportunity to broaden her horizons in dancing and to meet new friends along the way who have helped her greatly! When she isn’t at practice for various plays or musicals, you can probably hear her as she whistles while she works at Maurices.
Mari Holliday
Panacea
Hello, Roman Citizens! Mari is excited for her third S&B Production and her second musical! She had been honing her skills and studying hard under the tutelage of theater veterans from S&B and SCCT. It is her greatest honor to serve you as Panacea, exotic courtesan from the house of Lycus. Mari has enjoyed these last few months working with fellow courtesans and Romans alike. Waiting, for this moment to dazzle, allure, and amuse you to your heart's content. Remember to keep your eyes on the stage. You never know what wonders you'll see.
Lilli Falcon-Gunter
Geminae
Lilli Falcon-Gunter is thrilled to be in another S&B production and this time, a musical! Her previous shows include Sin-ergy, The Mousetrap, Cutthroat Christmas (x2) and Suite Surrender. Outside of theatre, you can find Lilli on PSU’s campus performing for a captive audience (AKA teaching) or playing the role of irresponsible grad student (AKA procrastinating writing her dissertation). Lilli is grateful to be a part of the amazing community that is Sock & Buskin and is delighted to be sharing the stage with so many talented actors. She would like to specifically thank Joe Appel for giving her the encouragement and opportunity to be a part of this show, and would like to shout out her bestie Zach and husband Josh for their support. Enjoy the show!
Kylie Rae Schultz
Geminae
Kylie Rae Schultz is thrilled to be in Sock & Buskin's first musical! Her previous Sock & Buskin roles include Janna Gray in Wheel of Misfortune, Elaine Wheeler in Night Watch (where she earned Scream Queen status and learned how to properly “smoke” with fake cigarettes), and Rosie in Slain at the Speakeasy. An accomplished singer and supporter of the arts, Schultz can also be found on stage singing as a member of State College Choral Society. She is thankful to have found a genuinely supportive and fun theatre community within Sock & Buskin, as well as for all the friends made throughout all the shows she's done so far! She'd like to thank everyone involved in the cast and production team in this musical for all the laughs and great energy in rehearsals, and for being so talented and wonderful to work with!
Gabby Rosendale
Vibrata
Gabby Rosendale is honored to be cast in Sock & Buskin’s first musical. She has previously been involved with Sock & Buskin as an actor, costumer, prop master, and co-director. A lover of theater all her life, she is proud to present Forum to the community. She extends her special thanks to her fellow cast mates, production and stage crew. Theater is a team sport, and this show would not be possible without the dedication and passion of all involved. She also extends a heartfelt thank you to all her friends and family for their unwavering support.
Sophie Kandler
Gymnasia
Sophie Kandler: alleged writer, racontiour, and Jedi Knight, has played human all her life. Most recently she has starred as George in an all drag performance of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? In addition to playing Gymnasia, Sophie made some of the props, which is why they fall apart so easily. Rumors that she is a PhD candidate in Education are totally without merit. Also, she is Gen X, not a boomer, thank you. However she did a graduate internship at the Ministry of Silly Walks before being employed at Yoyodine Propulsion Systems as a PR person. Sophie never wrote for the New York Times, nor been published in international magazines. Fake news. Never happened. Everyone knows this. In her spare time, Sophie fronts a reggae Prince tribute band called Neonate Purple as well as racing unicycles.
Meet The Production Team
Joseph Appel
Director, Music Director, Conductor, Co-Producer
Joseph Appel is honored to be directing S&B’s first musical. He is appreciative of Stefanie’s trust in planning for this moment. Here’s to many more! Joe is a native of Brooklyn, where he directed, musically directed, and conducted over 50 productions including Les Miserables, Guys & Dolls, Bat Boy, Assassins, Little Shop of Horrors, Godspell, and West Side Story. A career educator, Joe moved to Happy Valley four years ago for a job he loves at Penn State and to pursue a more peaceful life. He is grateful for the opportunities and connections provided by the local theatre scene in State College. Many thanks to his incredible students, his supportive colleagues, and his loving family and friends back home, especially his nephews, Michael and Angelo. Heartfelt appreciation to this devoted production team, talented musicians, and brilliant cast full of great people who make him laugh in a most special way. Many thanks to those who encouraged him to work on this memorable and gratifying project.
Amber Lee
Choreographer
This is Amber’s fourth Sock & Buskin production. She is honored and grateful for the opportunity to work as the choreographer in S&B’s first musical. Since her formative years, Amber has immersed herself in a variety of creative outlets— painting, writing, embroidery, graphic design, and photography, just to name a few. While her first creative love was dance (she is currently a dance instructor at The 814 Dance Company), the theatre has been calling since watching Barney: Live in New York at 4 years old. Amber is thrilled to have found a place in the Sock & Buskin Theatre Co and is eager to learn all she can from this amazingly talented, and welcoming community.
Kris Allen
Scenic Designer/Painter
Kris has appeared in over 100 shows - but this is her very first attempt at designing and painting (not building) an entire set! Every hour she spent on it, she thought about the actors, who deserve a worthy setting for their talents. She tried to reflect the spirit of the show, and hopes she did OK. Thanks to Stefanie for this opportunity!
Melissa Brannen
Stage Manager
Melissa is delighted to serve as Stage Manager for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Sock & Buskin’s first musical—helping keep the streets of Rome running (mostly) on time. With nearly two decades in community theatre, she has been involved in over 25 productions both onstage and behind the scenes with several local theatre companies. In recent years, Melissa has expanded her work offstage, including directing and assistant directing, and has developed a love for the organized chaos of stage management—equal parts traffic control, diplomacy, courtesan crisis management, and keeping track of the ever-changing “props” of the “Proteins.” By day, she works at Penn State as a Senior Contracting Officer, still happily “making research happen.” She thanks this talented company for their humor and dedication, and her husband Chris for keeping the home front running while she’s off in Rome.
Zachary Myers
Technical Director, Lighting Designer
As a Ph.D. student, Zach is always looking for a way to avoid working on his dissertation - and S&B’s first musical provided the perfect excuse! While Zach considered auditioning for the show, he was told that his terrible singing would be a liability for S&B. Luckily, getting to work with the amazing S&B community as crew is always a great experience! Zach is extremely grateful to the people that make these shows possible, with a special shoutout to Lilli for the memories they’ve made together.
Peter Austin
Set Engineer/Construction
Pete has yet again been convinced by his wife, Stefanie, to help build a set for S&B. After all, what good is a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering if you’re not volunteering your skills for community theatre? He has been having fun building with his wife and kids but will be grateful to be able to once again park his car in his garage when this show is done.
Ryan Gartland
Assistant Stage Manager
Ryan made his S&B debut as John Wheeler in the emotionally-fueled Night Watch, followed by roles in Last Night at Black Hollow and Death By Chocolate. This marks Ryan’s first time as assistant stage manager. Previous experiences include New York Film Academy, T. Schreiber Acting Studio where he studied under Pamela Scott (Julia Garner alumni), production assistant on Strangers with Candy: The Movie (Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris, Chris Pratt, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Mathew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker), and You Belong to Me (Daniel Sauli, Patti D’Arbanville, Linda Larkin). Joining Sock & Buskin gave Ryan new life/fulfillment since transferring and he’s incredibly grateful for all the laughs and friends he’s made, both peers and attendees alike. When not performing, he enjoys writing scenes, poems, songs, and playing his guitars. He’s honored to be a part of Sock & Buskin’s first musical and can’t wait for the next production. “The future is unwritten.” - Joe Strummer
Chip Taylor
Sound Designer/Technician
Chip is super honored and excited to once again be behind the sound board with Sock & Buskin for their (and his) first musical! He would like to thank everyone at Sock & Buskin and those that see and support their shows for the continued opportunities for such meaningful involvement in the arts! So: Thank you!!!!
Kaitlyn Huff
Lighting Technician
Kaitlyn steps back behind the light board to help S&B shine while debuting their first musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. She wants to thank Sock & Buskin for inviting her back to help keep the torches of Rome lit.
April Cockburn
Specialty Props Construction
April returns to Sock & Buskin armed with glue guns, foam clay, and questionable ideas. This time, she’s crafting a bust of Domina and loving every absurd minute of it.
Meet The Orchestra
Clay Wulbrecht
Piano
Clay is a State College-based pianist who attended Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Piano. He works as a full time librarian by day at Penn State and gigs at night. He is pleased to be collaborating with Sock & Buskin for this production!
Aaron Kaufman
Reeds
Aaron is a current 4th-Year Music Education student at Penn State University. When he’s not teaching, you can catch him playing locally in the Coal Aly band with “Philia” (Cat Rokavec). Aaron is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the Sock & Buskin Theatre Company!
Joyce Jones
Trumper
Joyce is a 2025 graduate from Penn State University with a Bachelor in Music Education. In recent years, she has played for productions of Beauty and the Beast, The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition, Anastasia, and Frozen. Joyce has not previously worked with Sock & Buskin but she is excited for their first collaboration!
Connor Huttenlocher
Bass
Connor is a 3rd-year student currently pursuing his B.A. in Music at Penn State University. He actively enjoys playing both upright and electric bass in many different styles and contexts across many of State College’s venues. Connor is extremely excited and grateful to be working with the Sock & Buskin Theatre Company to make this production come to life!
Shannon Anderson
Trombone
Shannon is the lone trombone in the pit orchestra! They are a recent 2025 grad from Penn State’s Music Performance program and have worked on multiple local productions in the Bellefonte area from Mary Poppins to Fiddler on the Roof. This is the first time Shannon is working with Sock & Buskin and is grateful for the opportunity.
Sabrina Kaufman
Percussion
Sabrina’s orchestra percussionist credits include Once Upon A Mattress, Guys and Dolls, The Fantasticks, Annie, and This Old House.
Dominic Steiner
Reeds
Dominic is a current 2nd-Year Music Education student at Penn State. A voice primary, he is excited to have the opportunity to get his woodwinds back out of their cases. He is thrilled to work with Sock & Buskin for the first time on this production.
Michael Marini
Keyboard - Strings
Michael is the band director for Penns Valley Area School District, where he leads and develops the instrumental music program for students of all levels. He is currently completing a master’s degree in music education at Temple University and holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Penn State. In addition to his work in education, Michael has performed in pit orchestras for a wide range of regional, collegiate, community, and high school musical theatre productions throughout Pennsylvania, maintaining an active presence as a performer.
Thanks & Recognition
Business Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors ($500+)
Jared Ernico, REALTOR, eXp Realty
Featured Sponsors ($250+)
Plum Pristine Clean
Special Thanks
Hublersburg Inn (Dining Partner)
Shane Peachey, Peachey Productions
Mary O’Harrow & Stephanie Curry, Altoona Community Theatre
Cynthia Mazzant, Tempest Productions
Nathan Glunt & Accuweather
3 Dots Downtown & Awesome Foundation
Centre Foundation & PA Council on the Arts
Darrell Cockburn
Elizabeth Baptista
Laurie Hughes
Alexa Krepps
Sergio Carmona
Vern Horst of Vern Makes
The FaithCentre
The Shop
Angela Stecco & Seven Mountains Media
Nittany Mall
Front-of-house Volunteers
Amy Shreckengast
Carolyn Donaldson
Laurie Hughes
Brandon Smith
Crystal Butterbaugh
Elizabeth Baptista
Alex Baptista
Kari Williamson
Lynn Theodose
Tara Caimi
Coming up next from Sock & Buskin
Production Photos
Photos by Vern Horst of Vern Makes
