A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Art Factory

Art Factory Presents Hilarious Sondheim Musical, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, with a Fresh New Twist; An All-Female Cast!

          The nine-time Tony Award-winning 1962 musical, largely centered on gender roles and sexism, is given a fresh new take at Art Factory with an all female cast! Based on the farces of Plautus, …FORUM transports us to a small corner of Ancient Rome, where neighbors Marcus Lycus, Erronius, and Senex live in three adjacent houses. Pseudolus, a slave belonging to Senex’s son, Hero, yearns to be free and will stop at nothing to achieve his goal. When Hero tells him that he is in love with the beautiful courtesan Philia, whom he often sees in the window of the House of Lycus, Pseudolus promises to help him win Philia’s love in exchange for his freedom. This hysterical musical romp twists and turns at a breakneck pace, leaving audiences with comic whiplash once we reach the finale!

          The powerhouse cast of incredible vocalists and top-tier comedians is led by Laura H. R. Newman as Pseudolus, with Katy McCants as Hero, Victoria Ritchie as Philia, Elizabeth Chrisman Shurtz as Hysterium, Stephanie Welder as Senex, and Caryn Fulda as Domina. Starring alongside these phenomenal women are Christine Mompoint as Marcus Lycus, Beckie Cohen as Erronius, and Sarah Beth Sims as Captain Miles Gloriosus. Completing the entirely Houston-local cast are Mackensey Doyle, Julia Noble, Abbi Rodrigue, Athena Try, and Pari Zangara as The Proteans.

          …FORUM features a madcap book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart and an absolutely addicting score, including classics like “Comedy Tonight,” “Pretty Little Picture,” and “Everybody’s Got to Have a Maid,” with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Art Factory’s effervescent new production is Directed and Designed by Founding Artistic Director Colton Berry, with Choreography by Founding Executive Director Luke Hamilton. Elizabeth Chrisman Shurtz serves as Music Director and Ashley M. Frye is Production Stage Manager.

          A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM runs April 4 through 13 with Friday and Saturday performances at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday performances at 5:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.ArtFactoryHouston.com/tickets.

This production is funded in part by the  City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.