Willowbrook actors take a leap with Roman comedy

Musicals like "The Sound of Music" and "Oklahoma" are always safe bets for high school drama departments.

After a few years of directing these staples, though, Willowbrook High School English teach Regina Wathier was sick of playing it safe.

That's why this weekend, Wathier will direct about 20 students in the musical farce "Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Forum" at the Villa Park school.

"One reason I selected this is because it is stylistically 180 degrees different than what we've been presenting," Wathier said. "It's definitely done in a vaudevillian, farcical style, and it's been challenging for the students."

For about two months, the actors, the Willowbrook orchestra and stage crew -- about 100 students total -- have been working to bring this play set in ancient Rome to life.

This story begins with a Roman slave named Pseudolus trying to win his freedom. He agrees to help his young master, Hero, earn the love of the woman next door, Philia.

Junior Brendon Martin will head the cast as Pseudolus, with sophomore Tyler Baumann playing Hero and senior Jessica Rundell as Philia.

Wathier said the play's style has forced the students to grow and step out of their comfort zones on stage.

"It really requires them to take risks as actors and not be afraid to look stupid in order to sell a joke," she said.

If you go

What: "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"

When:7 p.m. today and Saturday

Where: Willowbrook High School's Doris White Auditorium, 1250 S. Ardmore Ave., Villa Park

Cost: $6; $5 for students; $3 for students with school activity pass; free for ages 3 to 12 and senior citizens with a District 88 Gold Card

Details: (630) 530-3400