"Tragedy Tomorrow ... Comedy Tonight!"  The lyrics from the opening song of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" say it all.

The current production of the Stephen Sondheim musical at Oyster Mill Playhouse is a lot of fun.  Director Larry Wineland has infused the show with great bits and antics for his high-energy cast.  While the overture was a bit rough,musical director Duane Wright nicely balances the sound of the musicians and singers.  Patrice Price Whitson has cleverly filled the small space with her choreography.

The beautifully painted set takes you to the streets of ancient Rome where we meet Pseudolus, masterfully portrayed by Wayne Loper.  He is a slave who yearns for freedom, and his mischievous efforts to achieve it lead to madcap adventure.

As his master, Hero, Joseph Stains fits the bill as the love-struck boy who will give his slave the freedom he desires if he can arrange for him to get together with Philia, the girl of his dreams.  Maren Kepler's pretty voice and beauty queen smile add to the brilliant vacuousness that she brings to Philia.

As the procurer of all things beautiful, Randy Stamm's Marcus Lycus is a roller coaster of emotions who wears enough jewelry to make Liberace envious.  His house is filled with a variety of lovely courtesans played by Madelaine Wilson, Whitney Rutz, Kristie Grey, Stephanie Via, Teresa Heagy and Megan McClain.  Their seductive movements and costumes add another level of intrigue to the show.

Meanwhile, Hero's feuding parents, who've been out of town visiting her mother in the country, return and the high jinx go up a notch.  Bohdan Kohutiak is lovable as Senex, and Helen Szollosy as Domina has a great number with her unwilling assistant, Hysterium, played by Evan Losee, who can never achieve calmness.

Then there is the arrival of Jeff Bucci's boisterous Miles Gloriosis, a strapping soldier intent on claiming Philia as his bride.  George Paul's little bits as Erronius are clever and got great laughs.

Holding all of these threads together are the multitude of characters embodied by the three Proteans: Bob Blake, Jason Rosnick and Rob Rutz.  These guys were great and should have their own sitcom.

But the show truly belongs to Wayne Loper as Pseudolus.  His singing voice is clear and melodious, his comic timing is impeccable, and his Nathan Lane-like mannerisms will make you laugh.  His Act Two reprise of "Lovely" with Evan Losee brought the house down.

This is a great show all around and should not be missed by those who enjoy bawdy, fast-paced humor.