Mesa Community College Opens A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, 10/20

Mesa Community College's Act I Musical Productions to open its 12th season with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, opening on October 20th in Mesa, AZ.

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM: For the first time in MCC's 12-year history we present Stephen Sondheim's first solo work, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, it is inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus. The musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus (Taylor Hudson) and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master (Anthony Chavez) woo the girl next door (Katie Cook). The plot displays many classic elements of farce, including puns, the slamming of doors, cases of mistaken identity, and satirical comments on social class. The production is directed by Jere Van Patten, with Music Direction by Cathy Hauan, Scenic Design by Grace Kim, Lighting Design by Troy Buckey, and is being produced by SueAnne Lucius. The title derives from the line that vaudeville comedians often used to begin a story: "A funny thing happened on the way to the theatre..."

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM was originally produced on Broadway in 1962 and won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book, and its 1972 revival was honored again with two awards, and again in 1996 the Leading Actor award went to Nathan Lane for his performance as Pseudolus. The show has enjoyed several Broadway and West End revivals and was made into a successful film starring the original lead of the musical, Zero Mostel.

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM is produced by SueAnne Lucius, Chair of Music at Mesa Community College, previewing October 19, 2011, and the show runs October 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28, 2011 at 7:30pm and October 22, 29, 2011 at 2:00pm, in the Theatre Outback, 1833 W. Southern Avenue, Mesa (Dobson & the US-60).

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM composer/lyricist, Stephen Sondheim is the winner of an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize. Described by Frank Rich of the New York Times as, "the greatest and perhaps best-known artist working in musical theatre," his most famous scores also include (as composer/lyricist) Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, and Assassins. He also wrote the lyrics for West Side Story and Gypsy.

Ticket prices: General Public - $15; Staff/Faculty/Alumni - $12; Seniors and Students - $10. Call the Box Office at (480) 461 - 7172 or purchase tickets online and pick your own seats at http://www.ezticketlive.com/mcc. Group rates and season subscriptions also available - contact the Box Office for more information.