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Since giving 2nd Star Productions its start over a decade ago, resident director and company co-founder Jane B. Wingard has upheld a modest, though tactful motto: "To be ‘not bad' is not good."
As she and her cast return to a newly renovated Bowie Playhouse this month, they'll prove once again that their talent and experience well-exceed "not bad," and are no laughing matter in their latest production, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."
"We bring a layer of professionalism," Wingard said. "Our cast always gets something out of doing a show. Other companies don't stretch to the level of professionalism that we strive for. We're here to get the results we need."
And when members of the audience sit down to watch a 2nd Star show, they experience an event unmatched by other troupes. The company has dedicated countless hours to serving Prince George's County, where Wingard has taught theater teacher for 28 years, and the city of Bowie, hometown of 2nd Star co-founder John F. Guyton.
Months of reconstruction had forced the three community theater groups that share Bowie Playhouse to each open their season at Bowie's City Hall, but the improvements look promising for the Nov. 14 debut.
"We're absolutely delighted to be back," said Wingard, whose company is entering their 14th season of theater. "We've been advertising a lot, and with more space, it will be nice to bring our performance somewhere so recognizable."
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" adheres to the 2nd Star's repertoire of popular titles, following up last spring's show, "My Fair Lady," and continuing in May with "Camelot."
"We love to stage major musicals," Wingard said. "People want to see the classics and we bring them. [It] is what 2nd Star is best known for, and it's what we do best."
"Forum," with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and story by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, meshes together ancient Roman farces with that of an intriguing musical.
An intermingled cast of new and old members of the 2nd Star crew will tell the tale of Pseudolus, a slave desperate to win his freedom by helping his master get closer to his love.
While a lively and entertaining script sets up an enjoyable evening for an audience of all ages, it has been the crew with whom Wingard works with that makes the performance that much more rewarding.
"We have an amazing staff," Wingard said. "Everyone appreciates quality and puts their effort into our production. Everyone knows what to expect and we trust each other."
Musical director Donald K. Smith, Wingard's husband, has accumulated more than 30 years of pit experience, and leads the company's scores once again.
"Don is a task master," she said. "He holds his nose to the grindstone and has never let up. He's constantly putting more than an extra effort into the performance."
2nd Star Production's rendition of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" is scheduled to run at Bowie Playhouse through Dec. 13.
IF YOU GO
A Funny Thing Happened
on the Way to the Forum
-When: 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m., Sundays through Dec. 13.
-Where: Bowie Playhouse
-Tickets: $20, $17 for seniors and students
-Box office: 301-858-7245
