Megan Cavanagh Leads 42nd Street Moon's A FUNNY THING HAPPENED, Previews 10/6

42nd Street Moon's Artistic Director, Greg MacKellan, today announced casting for the first production of the 2010-11 Season: Broadway's greatest musical farce, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. The season takes its theme, "Lovers, Liars, and Clowns" from one of Stephen Sondheim's lyrics in FORUM. In a special Moon twist, comic actress Megan Cavanagh will play the pivotal role of the wily slave, Pseudolus, in this production. Low-priced previews will be presented on October 6, 7 and 8, with the Opening on Saturday, October 9 at 6 pm. The show will run through October 24 at the Eureka Theatre.

The fast-paced, witty and irreverent musical hit is a departure for Moon. "We wanted to do something a little different this season," MacKellan said. "We also wanted to celebrate Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday. Forum is the first Broadway musical for which Sondheim wrote both music and lyrics. It's truly one of the funniest shows ever written - the perfect kick-off for our season of comedies. The role of Pseudolus has been played by some amazing performers - Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg, and now we're adding Megan Cavanagh to the list."

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum won six Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway in 1962. Sondheim's score (including his iconic songs "Comedy Tonight" and "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid") and Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart's book take comedy back to its roots, combining situations from the comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville.

Megan Cavanagh has appeared in numerous films including A League of Their Own, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, For Richer or Poorer and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. On TV: Exes & Oh's and The Mighty B!, Home Improvement, Friends, Will & Grace, The West Wing, and ER, to name a few. 42nd Street Moon audiences have enjoyed her performances in Jubilee, High Spirits, and as Hollywood gossip columnist Isadora St. John in Out of This World.
Michael Rhone plays fellow slave Hysterium, who becomes a hapless and unwitting cohort of Pseudolus in his schemes to win freedom. Hero, Pseudolus's handsome, innocent master will be played by Luke Chapman (recently in Moon' Very Warm for May), while Phila, Hero's beloved, will be portrayed by Meghan Ihle. Bob Greene, who returns to the Moon stage ten years after his appearances in Do Re Mi and Fiorello!, is cast as Hero's father, Senex, with Chris Macomber as his overbearing wife, Domina. 42nd Street Moon favorites Rudy Guerrero and Rob Hatzenbeller play the roles of Lycus (a dealer in courtesans) and Miles Glorosus (his warrior client) respectively. Other cast members are Elmer Strasser, Kate Paul, Christine Bagube, Janine Burgener, Isaiah Boyd, Jack Sale and Tyler Costin.

Founding Artistic Director, Greg MacKellan, directs the production while Dave Dobrusky musical directs and Tom Segal choreographs. Costumes are by Louise Jarmilowicz and lighting by Ellen Brooks.

The next in 42nd Street Moon's "Salon Evenings" continues on October 28, 2010 with the multi-year celebration of composer Jerome Kern. Special guest star Rebecca Luker will join a group of Moon singers to offer Kern classics like "All the Things You Are," "The Song is You," "I've Told Every Little Star," "The Way You Look Tonight," and "I Won't Dance," as well as rarely-heard gems.

The season continues in November with a first for 42nd Street Moon! MURDER FOR TWO, by Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian, is a brand new musical in its West Coast debut. A mix of Agatha Christie and old-fashioned musical comedy with a dash of 21st century flair, Murder for Two is a two-person show. The World Premiere was in July at the Adirondack Theatre Festival prior to the Moon production. Previews are scheduled on November 3, 4 and 5, with the opening on Saturday November 6.

For the holiday season in December, 42nd Street Moon presents BABES IN ARMS (1937) by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart featuring one of the greatest scores ever written for a Broadway musical with memorable melodies like "My Funny Valentine," "The Lady is a Tramp," and "Johnny One-Note." In April, 2011, 42nd Street Moon's Ira Gershwin celebration continues with STRIKE UP THE BAND, and the season closes in May with Cole Porter's SILK STOCKINGS.

Tickets, are available through the 42nd Street Moon Box Office at 415/255-8207 (Open Tues. - Fri. from noon to 5 p.m.), or through the website www.42ndstmoon.org <http://www.42ndstmoon.org/> . All performances are presented at San Francisco's intimate Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson St.

42nd Street Moon celebrates and preserves the art and spirit of the American Musical Theatre, presenting intimate productions of "Uncommon Musicals" -- classic and rarely performed shows by the great 20th century songwriters. Through productions, educational programs, and community outreach, the company is committed to increasing the awareness and appreciation of the rich heritage and cultural perspective of the musical theatre and its vast influence on the world stage. Since 1993 the company has staged more than 95 musicals, as well as several revues celebrating the dazzling legacy of the 20th Century's greatest musical theater composers and lyricists.