One of the perils of community theater is that audiences are already familiar with the play or musical, and come to the shows with visions of Broadway stars dancing in their heads. That can be a tough act to live up to for amateurs.

The musical opening April 6 at the Bremerton Community Theatre has had not one, but three top actors in the lead role — and all of them won Tonys for Best Actor in a Musical.

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” originally starred legendary funny man Zero Mostel as the neurotic and scheming slave Pseudolus. He was followed by Phil Silvers and Nathan Lane.

The burg of Bremerton may be about to produce “Forum” star number four.

Ryan Demerick is reason enough to see this show. He is as rubber-faced as Mostel, as flamboyant as Lane, and as big a ham as either of them — or both put together. He plays to the audience, making eye contact and engaging them whenever possible.

He steals virtually every scene, sweeping the other actors along in his sea of humor and hysteria, while also raising their performances to his level. And he can sing, which is a blessing in community musicals.

“He’s delightful,” director Judy Nichols said. “I’m very pleased to have him in the cast.”

Demerick has acted in two Shakespeare spoofs at Changing Scene Theatre Northwest, several shows at BCT and many shows in two years studying drama at Olympic College.

“The OC drama teacher told me to cast him in a heartbeat,” Nichols said.

“Forum,” is the first musical with both words and music written by composer Stephen Sondheim, and follows the efforts of Pseudolus to win the hand of the beautiful but slow-witted courtesan Philia for his master Hero, and win his freedom in the bargain.

But first the very busy Pseudolus has to fend off other suitors, including Hero’s father, Senex, and her intended husband, Miles Gloriosus. The fast action keeps the large cast coming and going, from a bevy of courtesans to a contingent of Roman proteans.

Hero is played by Sean Barnes, whose acting resumé includes shows at Western Washington Center for the Arts in Port Orchard and Central Stage Theatre of County Kitsap in Silverdale.

The sought-after courtesan, Philia, pronounced for comic effect as “Feel-ya,” is played by Nikki Trostad, an aspiring actress who turned 20 on March 30.

Trostad had to miss several days of rehearsal in order to fly to Los Angeles to meet with producers about a role in a horror film. She has been living in Los Angeles for several years.

Senex is played by Jerry Snyder, who has performed in many local plays, but is making his singing debut in this show.

“I’m totally stunned,” Nichols said of his singing ability.

Miles Gloriosus is played by Adam Matthew, while Eric Wise plays Marcus Lycus, Richard Mozingo plays Erronius and Robert Forman plays Hysterium.

The group of courtesans are played by Veronica Hurm, Tintinabula; Alicia Degen and Emily Battin, the Geminae; Eden McFadden, Vibrata; and Rhonda Romaine, Gymnasia.

Romaine has been playing roles that are more on the matronly side lately, but this role is an abrupt departure from that image. Let’s just say there’s a lot of leather involved, and boy does she have long legs.

The proteans, who are Roman soldiers, are played by Ken Kidder, Cavan Wagner and Gary Spees.

Kidder also plays “the eunuch,” which is a switch from the role he just finished at Changing Scene Theatre, playing the Greek god Jupiter. The toga looks very familiar though.

Nichols said “Forum” was a last minute swap in the BCT season lineup, but she had no problem taking it on. She staged the musical at the Key City Players theater in Port Townsend in 2000, and has appeared in or worked on the production four times.

One way she keeps the classic musical fresh is to add unexpected modern elements to the Roman setting. Not to give anything away, but Philia is “ready to go” and Hero has the Force on his side.

“I like that you can do wild and crazy things inside the show,” Nichols said.

For Demerick and the cast, the wilder and crazier the better.

Stage manager for the production is Donna Kennedy and lead costumer is Lisa Cassels. Leading a live orchestra is Musical Director Larry Trop.

There is only one set for the show, a Roman village, which Nichols said everyone worked on.

While the most familiar song is probably the opening “Comedy Tonight,” other songs in the award-winning musical include “Free,” “I’m Calm” and “Impossible.”

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” opens April 6 at the Bremerton Community Theatre, 599 Lebo Blvd., Bremerton, and runs weekends through May 7.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $12 adults, $11 seniors and students and $8 children under 12, available at the box office 2-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday or by phone at (360) 373-5152 or (800) 863-1706.