WITH well-known local performer Les Taylor leading the all-star cast, A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum is the biggest production from the Tybee Arts Association since their production of Wizard of Oz in 2011.

“This play is something I’ve wanted to do for over 40 years ... it’s one of the funniest musicals ever written,” says director Renee DeRossett.

“This is a dream cast for me. We have 17 actors and everyone is awesome,” says DeRossett.

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to Forum is set in a neighborhood in ancient Rome. The house of Sertex is in the center where wife Domina, and son Hero resides with several slaves. Amongst the slaves are head slave Hysterium and main character Pseudolous.

Pseudolous wants to obtain his freedom by any means necessary — and thus the story begins.

Crafty Pseudolous comes up with a plan to help Hysterium win over the love of Phillia, one of the courtesans in the House of Lycus, in exchange for his freedom. The plan becomes unhinged after a number of plot twists, mistaken identities, and a showgirl or two.

“This musical combines ancient 2000-year-old comedy from Plautus with classic vaudeville, and it’s a hilariously beautiful show,” says DeRossett.

A Funny Thing will show two consecutive weekends with a matinee show on Sunday the 19.

“In addition to the very talented Les Taylor playing the lead as Pseudolous, we have some of Tybee’s most notable, well known, and prominent citizens in our cast,” says DeRossett. For example, Tybee City Council member Monty Parks plays the part of Capt. Miles Gloriosis.

“And Mr. Keith Gay, who owns Tybee Beach Vacation Rentals and is the Vice President of the Tybee Post Theater board of directors, plays the part of Senex,” she says.

“Keith Gay performed with several musical groups in his younger days and in recent years has graced the Tybee Post Theater stage several times singing solo, and even performing with his two very talented sons in several events since opening the Post Theater doors — three years ago next month,” says DeRossett.

And one of “the most exciting finds in this production and the youngest member of our cast, making her debut on our stage as our ingenue, Phillia, is the extremely talented Georgia Gillen,” says DeRossett. “She also happens to be the daughter of our new city manager, Sean Gillen.”