Last show of the season

Summerset Theatre is calling for the final act of its 48th season with “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

Summerset’s final show of the season will open at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre at Riverland Community College. Based on the plays of Plautus, “Forum” follows Pseudolus, a crafty slave who struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan for his young master in exchange for his own freedom. The plot is filled with classic vaudeville.

“Forum” features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, with a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart.

“It’s just a timeless musical that stands the test of time,” director James Zschunke said

Zschunke has performed at Riverland and Summerset before, but “Forum” is his first time working behind the scenes as a director. He was glad to work on the show with a great cast.

“The cast is absolutely amazing,” Zschunke said. “I’d put this cast up against anything anywhere. The show is good by itself, but when we put this cast up with it it’s absolutely dynamite.”

Zschunke hoped for a large turnout, and he said the play is a comedy that will leave audiences laughing.

“Just a wonderful show from beginning to end,” he said. “The audience will definitely leave happy.”

The show is recommended for ages 12 and older. Zschunke said it’s a perfect play to end the Summerset Season.

“Summerset appreciates the community support for the season, and we hope to see everyone again next year,” he said.

The play opens Tuesday and runs through Saturday. All performances are held at Frank W. Bridges Theatre on the Austin campus of Riverland Community College.

Individual tickets to the play are $16 for adults and $11 for children age 16 and under. Tickets are currently on sale at the Summerset Theatre Box Office, located in room E107 in the East Building of the Riverland Community College Austin campus. The box office can be contacted at 507-433-0595 or by emailing boxoffice@riverland.edu. Tickets are also available for purchase online at www.summersetaustin.org.

Riverland Theatre’s Executive Director Lindsey Williams thanked everyone who came and donated money during the previous show, “The 39 Steps,” which was dedicated to former director and actor David Dahlquist who recently passed away. Williams said organizers met their goal and a over, with over $2,000 collected.

“We wanted to say thank you again to everybody who came to that show and donated,” she said.

The money will go toward another show this year and will be donated in Dahlquist’s memory.