And, with his distinctive voice and physical genius, Ken Herrera ’03 made a fantastic flesh-peddling Marcus Lycus.

As for the rest of the supporting cast, if Rachel Eisenhaure ’02 lacked the vocal strength and stage presence needed to make her character, Domina, shine, Brian Gatten ’01 was a bright spot in an already stunning group, turning in a scene-stealing performance as her frustrated husband, Senex.

The Proteans, Forum’s extras who fill many a role, were amusing—and Lycus’ girls were arousing—but the supporting players were led by an absolutely brilliant turn by Scott Rowen (’03), as Hysterium.

Rowen sparkled, seeming at ease with both the ridiculous and the more subtle comic moments, particularly shining in the reprise of “Lovely” and in his own solo, “I’m Calm.”

Forum, while an ensemble piece, also has an indisputable leading player, Pseudolus, who has been enthusiastically tackled on Broadway by comic greats ranging from Zero Mostel to Phil Silvers to Nathan Lane.

In this production, Matt Johnson ’01-’02, one of Harvard’s most talented took his crack at the role and, by any reasonable standard, did a terrific job with a demanding part. On stage through much of the show, interacting with every character and audience member, Johnson’s Pseudolus was thoroughly enjoyable. He absolutely owned the stage during his physical bits, and his interactions with Hysterium were priceless, especially the already lauded reprise of “Lovely.”

Disappointing, however, was Johnson’s difficulty with the moments that called for more of an understated delivery.