The Grecian Formula

Description
**** (four stars) Any production that takes a late, abrupt metatheatrical turn invites suspicion, but on the whole, The Grecian Formula offers plenty of semiwholesome fun. A period romp that doubles as a satirical creation myth for the modern theater scene, the play tells the story of Alidocious, a slave and budding scribe in ancient Athens, whose talents are exploited by the slimy despot Peisistratus. The cast forges bravely through the relentlessly hammy script (e.g., “To the owner of a white chariot parked in front of the amphitheater…”), scoring enough big laughs to outweigh the inevitable groans, which eventually become a lovable component of writer Carter Anne McGowan's winning formula.—Hank Shteamer, Music Writer