Thursday, October 1, 2026
From the moment that Pseudolus, played by Russell Goetz, sang the first melodious strains of “A Comedy Tonight,” the audience knew they would be in for a raucous ride into ancient Rome as the Long Beach High School Theater Department presented Steven Sondheim’s “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”
Goetz was joined by a fine ensemble cast of performers, whose comedic timing was matched only by their melodic vocals and graceful dancing.
In a commendable job in the role Zero Mostel immortalized on the silver screen, Goetz skillfully finagled a hilarious series of misadventures as he played matchmaker for his young master, Hero (Christian Musto), and the beautiful virgin courtesan, Philia (Alexandra Brodsy), in exchange for his much dreamed-of freedom from slavery. In the process, he had to outsmart Hero’s parents, Senex and Domina, the slave master Lycus and the feared Roman soldier Miles Gloriosus, who has already purchased Philia for his own.
Musto and Brodsy emoted a charming chemistry as they embodied the youthful enthusiasm of everyone’s first love. Although Musto made his LBHS acting debut in this role, it was apparent that he was no stranger to the stage. In the role of Philia, Brodsy was given a perfect opportunity to show off her exceptional vocal talent.
Senior Adam Goldenberg pulled out all the stops in his final performance on the LBHS stage as the loyal house slave Hysterium, who had been charged with keeping Hero out of trouble while his parents were away. But alas, things could not have gone more wrong for the high-strung Hysterium. As the comedy of errors unfolded, he found himself hiding courtesans in his master Senex’s home, arranging for secret trysts, and ultimately appearing in drag, masquerading as Philia to carry out Pseudolus’s ridiculous scheme.
Joseph Keiserman brought the perfect blend of arrogance and grandeur to his portrayal of the pompous Gloriosus, belting out a booming baritone rendition of “Bring Me My Bride.”
