Farce in the forum

Playing the part of Pseudolous, the lead in Theatre Macon’s “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” has become a signature role for Tim Hinojosa after his success, in the same musical, at Westminster College in Pennsylvania. His comedic timing and masterful performance on July 13 were matched only by his musical talent throughout the play. The farcical plot is woven around the slave, Pseudolous, and his attempts to win freedom from bondage by helping his master, Hero, played by Steven Guardado, woo the virgin courtesan who lives next door.

Aided by his fellow slave, Hysterium, played by Chris Abbott, in the hilarious schemes he concocts to distract Hero’s parents and to conceal the lovers’ trysts, Pseudolous moves from one pratfall to another dodging his would be detractors. Abbott is the fall guy and straight man to Hinojosa’s humor and the two actors are so perfectly paired in their roles, one could anticipate the reaction from Hysterium to any one of Pseudolous’ many verbal barbs.

Choreographer Faith Madison had the good fortune to have a cast with rhythm; she was working with actors that were quick studies or, she is an incredibly gifted dance instructor, for the numerous dance numbers were in lockstep with the musical arrangements, directed by McKinley Stark. To see Roman statesmen and other figures from that era of ancient history prancing and skipping across the stage in outlandish costumes was pure vaudeville — the audience roared with laughter.

The imaginative, innovative approach taken by artistic director Jim Crisp to any of the theater’s productions never wanes — he interprets dramas, comedies and musicals with equal intensity and with superb results. The upcoming season will be his last after 33 years at the helm of the theater he founded; however, Crisp has promised he will not leave Macon. He and Theatre Macon have launched the careers of actors that are now seen on screen and on stages in major cities across the nation.

SMART GIRLS OF SOUTH MACON

In May, under the aegis of the Georgia Association of Women’s Clubs and Youth Affiliates, the South Macon Arts Revitalization Technology club was founded with the purpose of promoting economic, moral, religious and social welfare for young women, including educating members on improving the standard and quality of life for all young people. Antonio Lewis-Ross, president of the local chapter and a principal in the founding of SMART, wanted to honor the life and legacy of community activist Ozzie Bell McKay in founding the club.

The club now has 25 members between the ages of 9 and 18 with a goal of having 100 members. During June 23-24, the state convention for the GAWC was held at the Hampton Inn in Macon, with 15 girls from the local SMART chapter attending with their families to compete in several categories. Aris Johnston won first place in the talent category, in the 13-18 division, singing an original tune titled “Shattered;” Rinniyah Key placed in the same category in the age group 9-12; Miah Harris, too, took first place in power point presentation and in the Frederick Douglass Essay category in the age group 9-12; Tylesha Harris placed first in fashion design in the 9-12 age group.

At the biennial regional convention held in Birmingham, Alabama, July 13-16, these accomplished young women represented their local club handily. Johnston again won first place in the 13-18 age group for her singing talent; Rinniyah took second place the 9-12 age bracket in talent and Miah won the second spot in the Frederick Douglass essay competition and in the power point category. These young women have hit the ground running and will have a head start when a club comes to fruition for boys and young men in January 2018.

The Georgia Association of Women’s Clubs and Youth Affiliates operates under the umbrella of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs and Youth Affiliates which was founded in the late 19th century. It is the oldest on record of associations for African-American women in the United States.

This story was originally published July 19, 2017 at 4:50 PM with the headline "Farce in the forum."