By Holly Bedard
Editor

Anne Orio is no stranger to the stage. The Manchester resident has performed in theater on and off for the past 20 years.

In her next role, Orio will play Domina in the New Thalian Players’ production of the classic musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

The play follows the cunning Roman slave Pseudolus as he attempts to win freedom by fostering a forbidden romance between his master’s son and a not-so-eligible young woman.

“I’ve really lucked out with New Thalian Players. It’s good to be in a good show,” she said. “They are very supportive of each other, talented and fun to be around. That’s important.”

Orio has stormed local stages for the past year and previously performed in Boston for about 10 years before taking some time off. In that time, though, she made sure to stay close to the limelight.

“I’d perform in company follies, sing in a band, keep my hand in it,” Orio said. “Once you’ve been bitten by the bug, adulation is a wonderful thing.”

“Forum” runs at 8:30 p.m. July 21-22 and July 28-29 at Veterans Park in Manchester. All shows are free. Make sure to bring a lawn chair. For more information, visit www.newthalianplayers.org or call 666-6466.

­ Holly Bedard, editor

What is your role in the play?

I play the straight woman to the lunatics that are the male population of the show. (Laughs.) The entire show is that Pseudolus, who is a slave, gets his freedom. The young man in charge of him falls in love with a courtesan, a virgin sold to a very big, important Roman captain. The young man is devastated and says to slave, “Get me that girl, and I’ll set you free.”

I’m the mother to the son who’s in love with the courtesan. The mother and father have been married for 29 years. She’s in love with him; he’s constantly watching the girls next door. It’s nothing but slapstick. This is not a subtle show. No one’s looking for deep meaning in any of this. It’s a great cast of characters.

Have you performed outside theater before?

Many years ago, I performed in Gilbert & Sullivan’s “HMS Pinafore.” I played Buttercup. We only had to cancel one performance because of a rain storm.

What is the biggest difference between inside and outside?

Bugs! Not just bugs … but it’s the middle of summertime, you’re wearing yak fur on your head, it’s going to be hot! There’s a certain amount of discomfort you put up with because you’re doing something you like. Audiences are a lot more enthusiastic. It’s like a big picnic. Kids loved it; to them, it’s a big picnic. It’s a much less formal audience.

Who is your favorite character you have played on stage?

Bananas Shaughnessy in “The House of Blue Leaves.” The sky was the limit, and within character, there was very little I had to do with hair and makeup. There was a great director, a great script.

She was bizarre as can be. She was insane. Within the context of her insanity, there was a lot that could be done. Plus there’s more satisfaction on having to work on a part than having it come to easily.