The Kelly Critics is a joint program of the Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh CLO in which students of high schools entered in this year's Gene Kelly Awards review other school's musicals.

Carrick opened its spring musical, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," in the best possible way: a musical overture that gave the audience a chance to take in the breathtaking set. Hand-painted and built by the students, it was truly a spectacle.

Set in ancient Rome, the show tells the hilarious story of one adventurous day, a story of love, deception, confused identities, siblings, courtesans, and a brisk run around the seven hills of Rome.

The main character and narrator, Pseudolus, is a slave to the house of Senex. The story plays out in the courtyard of three houses. That on the left belongs to Erronius, who is out searching for his two children who were kidnapped by pirates when they were babies. That on the right is a business run by Lycus, a buyer and seller of women. He has gone all around the world to collect the most beautiful women.

And that in the middle is the house of Senex, who is married to a controlling woman named Domina. Their son, Hero, is a goofy, sheltered boy who is in love with Philia, a virgin in the house of Lycus. But Philia has already been sold to the famous solider, Miles Gloriosus.

There is also the head slave of Senex' house, Hysterium. There are also, of course, the courtesans.

Ryan Rachuba did an excellent job portraying the quirky and charismatic Pseudolus. Despite slight problems with the sound he kept the show alive. He seemed to tune into the brainwaves of the character.

The scene stealer was senior AJ Szalla as Lycus. His comedic timing was right on. Everything he did seemed natural. He was clearly having fun playing the greedy and egotistical man.

All of the courtesans also did an excellent job. None of them over-played. Particularly enjoyable were Tiffany and Crystal Nath as The Geminae and Becky Krall as Vibrata.

The show is one of the most fun Sondheim ever did and if he came to see Carrick's show he would have been proud.