A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 1962

Opened: May 8, 1962

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - 1962 - Broadway History , Info & More

Majestic Theatre (Broadway)
245 West 44th St. New York, NY

Based on the plays Miles Gloriosus, Pseudolus, and Mostellaria by Plautus (251-183 B.C.)

This hysterical musical features a beloved score by Stephen Sondheim and an uproarious book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. The musical's original Broadway production won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book. Forum has also enjoyed several Broadway and West End revivals.



A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum tells the bawdy story of Pseudolus, a slave in ancient Rome, who goes to great lengths to gain his freedom by securing a courtesan for his young master, Hero. Scheming slaves, mistaken identities and courtesans each with their own gimmick deliver on the promise of the famous opening number, that there will be comedy tonight.

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New Line Theatre’s production of A FUNNY THING HAPPENS ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM succeeds due to Scott Miller’s directorial vision and the comedic timing of Miller’s strong cast. There are plenty of laughs in the First Act, but the second act builds to a crescendo of complete hilarity. Miller’s blocking and the actors’ execution of  the Second Act chase scene is downright madcap. Ann Hier Brown’s delivery of “That Dirty Old Man,” Kent Coffel and Chris Moore’s delivery of “Lovely,” and the Company’s collaboration on “Funeral Sequence” keeps the audience laughing nonstop following the intermission. The remaining cast Jason Blackburn, Danny Brown, Gary Cox, Robert Doyle, Nathan Hakenewerth, Brittany Kohl Hester, Aarin Kamphoefner, Ian McCreary and Sarah Wilkinson rely on their deadpan delivery and comedic timing to deliver big laughs throughout the show.

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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum have there been?
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum has had 15 productions including Broadway which opened in 1962, Broadway which opened in 1962, West End which opened in 1963, US Tour which opened in 1963, Regional (US) which opened in 1971, Broadway which opened in 1972, Broadway which opened in 1972, West End which opened in 1986, US Tour which opened in 1987, Off-Broadway which opened in 1991, Off-Broadway which opened in 1991, Broadway which opened in 1996, Broadway which opened in 1996, West End which opened in 2004 and St. Louis, MO (Regional) which opened in 2017.
What Tony Awards has A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum been nominated for?
Best Musical , , Best Direction of a Musical for Burt SheveloveBest Direction of a Musical for George Abbott and Producer (Musical) for Harold Prince.
What Tony Awards has A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum won?
Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical for Burt Shevelove, Best Direction of a Musical for George Abbott , Producer (Musical) for Harold Prince, .

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