Children’s Theatre production of ‘When in Rome...’ opens
The cast of "When in Rome..." rehearses for their opening night on Friday. (Courtesy/Marybeth Sampsel)
The Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theatre is thrilled to announce its upcoming production of “When in Rome...,” a delightful musical comedy set to open on Friday, Jan. 31.
This lively performance promises to transport audiences on a hilarious journey back to ancient Rome, featuring young talents from grades 2 through 6. “When in Rome...” follows the antics of three mischievous peasant thieves; Gladius (played by Renzo Spencer), Minimus (Lincoln Melzer), and Julia (Lucy Ford), who sneak into the royal palace disguised as handmaidens. Gladius is smitten with the beautiful princess (Sawyer Osterday) and simply must catch another glimpse of her.
They are promptly caught in a hilarious scene, almost becoming lion food until the princess gets an idea. She must marry soon, but almost all the senators and other men of the city, except the repulsive Senator Altilis (Everett Feliciano), are away at war. If she can’t find a suitable match, her father has decreed she must marry the last gladiator standing in the upcoming games. That’s the last thing this intelligent but headstrong feminist leader wants. And Senator Altilis is deviously plotting to get her out of the empire’s affairs by moving the date of the gladiator games up, thus burdening the princess with having to plan her dreaded wedding.
This is where Gladius comes in. The princess schemes to train Gladius to compete in the games so she can avoid marrying Brudis (Noble Lancaster), the brainless brute favored to win. The only hitch? Gladius has to win! That’s easier said than done, as the princess realizes once the training begins!
This masterful, eclectic musical will knock your togas off with songs like the peasants’ comical “I Could Be Royalty,” the Broadway-style “Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day,” the muses’ rousing “Last Gladiator Standing” and Gladius’ hysterical “I’m Gonna Die.”
Show Dates and Times:
Friday, Jan. 31; Saturday, Feb. 1; Friday, Feb. 7; and Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 2nd at 2 p.m.
Location: Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts, 526 Electric Avenue, Bigfork
Tickets are available at the box office before the show or online at: https://bigforksummerplayhouse.com/childrens-theatre/.
Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theatre provides performance opportunities, workshops, and programs for young people in the community, fostering creativity, confidence, and a love for the arts.