A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 1962 - Articles Page 4

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.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - 1962 - Broadway Cast

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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - 1962 - Broadway Articles Page 4

BWW Feature: BROADWAY VS. HOLLYWOOD PARTE 4° I Film Tratti Dai Musical Di Stephen Sondheim
by ETTORE FARRATTINI - Mar 31, 2020


Ha appena compiuto 90 anni, ma Stephen Sondheim non da segno di voler abbandonare la scena musicale. Sempre impegnato nella supervisione di revival dei suoi musical o al lavoro su nuovi show, Sondheim è considerato il simbolo del musical On Broadway: gli è stato dedicato un teatro sulla 43° strada e ha al suo attivo 8 Tony Award, 16 Drama Desk Awards, 8 Grammy, e 1 Oscar.

BWW Exclusive: The 101 Greatest MOVIE MUSICALS of All Time
by Peter Nason - Mar 30, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best film musicals since the sound era began; see if your favorites made the list!

The 101 Greatest Showtunes from 1920-2020
by Peter Nason - Mar 19, 2020


How do we make a list of the 101 greatest show tunes from the past 100 years? Well, we did the near-impossible task.  Check out our full list here! 

Roleystone Theatre Presents A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
by Stephi Wild - Mar 3, 2020


Take a trip back through time and laugh yourself silly as Roleystone Theatre presents the popular Stephen Sondheim musical comedy A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.

VIDEO: On This Day, September 15 - Henry Miller's Theater Renamed For Stephen Sondheim
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 15, 2019


The renaming of the theatre was dedicated to Stephen Sondheim, the greatest and best known artist in American musical theatre on his 80th birthday. 

All Broadway Theatres to Dim Lights for Hal Prince
by Julie Musbach - Jul 31, 2019


The Broadway community mourns the loss of prolific producer, director, writer, and the individual recipient of the most Tony Awards in multiple categories in history, Harold Prince, who passed away on July 31, 2019 at age 91. To commemorate his life and work, the Committee of Theatre Owners will dim the lights of Broadway theatres in New York for one minute on Wednesday, July 31 at exactly 7:45pm.

BWW Review: The Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts Summer Camp Presents Stephen Sondheim's Hilarious A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Ruth Eckerd Hall
by Peter Nason - Jul 19, 2019


When it comes to Tony Award snubbing, there are several artistic high crimes and misdemeanors. For instance, Fiorello! winning Best Musical over Gypsy, or the good Music Man besting the better West Side Story. Or how about this awful upset: Two Gentlemen of Verona (the since-forgotten musical) beating both Grease and Follies for the top honor. Perhaps worst of all is this: Even though A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM was Stephen Sondheim's first and most successful Broadway show as a composer and lyricist, and even though it would win six of its eight nominated Tony Awards in 1962-1963 (including Best Musical), Mr. Sondheim himself was not even nominated for his lyrics and score. A show that features some of the most beloved comic songs from the early 1960's--'Comedy Tonight,' 'Lovely,' and 'Everybody Ought to Have a Maid'--wasn't even nominated for these iconic numbers. (For the record, Oliver! won that year for Best Score.) Broadway's greatest composer would have to wait almost a decade to receive his first Tony Award.

Sid Ramin, Broadway Composer, Arranger, and Orchestrator, Dies at 100
by Stephi Wild - Jul 6, 2019


BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that composer and orchestrator Sid Ramin, best known for his work on West Side Story, has died, according to The New York Times. Ramin was 100 years old.

BWW Review: LOVE AND OTHER FABLES at Theatre By The Sea
by Barb Burke - Jun 2, 2019


Theatre by the Sea presents the world premiere of Love and Other Fables

VIDEO: On This Day, May 8- A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM Opens On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - May 8, 2019


A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM is a nonstop laughfest in which Pseudolus, a crafty slave, struggles to win the hand of a beautiful, but slow-witted, courtesan named Philia for his young master, Hero, in exchange for freedom. The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors and a showgirl or two.

Wake Up With BWW 3/22: HADESTOWN Begins Previews, and More!
by Stephi Wild - Mar 22, 2019


Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Happy Friday! Finish off your week by catching up on the latest Broadway news!

Gulfshore Playhouse Brings To Life One Of Broadway's Funniest Musicals
by Julie Musbach - Oct 29, 2018


Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples' premier professional regional theater, travels back to Ancient Rome for its second production of the 2018-19 season, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." The Tony Award-winning farce written by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, takes the stage Nov. 17 to Dec. 30.

Craig Jessup Brings SONDHEIM TONIGHT To Feinstein's At The Nikko
by Julie Musbach - Aug 6, 2018


One of the Bay Area's best entertainers celebrates the work of one of our greatest composers. Craig Jessup's Sondheim Tonight! brings together more than a dozen Sondheim gems from some of his earliest shows as a composer/lyricist (Saturday Night, Anyone Can Whistle) to some of his most beloved (Company, Follies, Merrily We Roll Along). And the show marks Jessup's debut at Feinstein's at the Nikko.

BWW Review: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
by E.H. Reiter - Jul 27, 2018


A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, playing through August 12th at North Coast Repertory Theatre is a colorful and fun summer trip to Ancient Rome, as told with a small detour through vaudeville for style. The play even announces its intentions at the top of the show 'Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight' just so there is no confusion.

Original LGBTQ Musical SONATA 1962 To Star Five-Time NYMF Favorite Erin Leigh Peck
by Julie Musbach - Jul 10, 2018


Award-winning playwright Patricia Loughrey and composer Thomas Hodges announce that five-time NYMF alum Erin Leigh Peck (Motherfreakinghood, Grease! on Broadway) will step into the lead role of Margaret Evans in their original LGBTQ musical Sonata 1962.The production, which will make its Off-Broadway debut this August as part of the 2018 New York Musical Festival's Next Link Project, was originally slated to star Becca Ayers who has had to step out of the show due to booking a Broadway contract.

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE Comes to San Francisco Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 26, 2018


San Francisco Playhouse (Artistic Director Bill English; Producing Director Susi Damilano) announced casting for the final show of its 2017-18 Mainstage Season--Sunday in the Park with George, the quintessential Stephen Sondheim musical about the art of creation and the creation of art. Bill English will direct the 1985 Pulitzer Prize-winning musical.

Original LGBTQ Musical SONATA 1962 Will Make Off-Broadway Debut At NYMF 2018
by Julie Musbach - Jun 15, 2018


Award-winning playwright Patricia Loughrey and composer Thomas Hodges, whose critically acclaimed play Dear Harvey has been making waves across the nation since its debut in 2010, are thrilled to announce their original LGBTQ musical Sonata 1962 will making its Off-Broadway debut this August as part of the 2018 New York Musical Festival's (NYMF) Next Link Project.

CAMELOT at the Shakespeare Theatre Company is Elegant, Charming, and Just Plain Entertaining.
by Charles Shubow - Jun 5, 2018


Alan Paul directs a superb cast in Lerner and Lowe's classic musical.

TCM To Pay Tribute To Musicals In June Programming Special 'Mad About Musicals!'
by Tori Hartshorn - May 23, 2018


Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will pay homage to the glittering world of Hollywood musicals with Mad About Musicals!, a special month of programming celebrating timeless movie musicals such as The Wizard of Oz, Singin' in the Rain and Cabaret. TCM is once again partnering with Ball State University and Canvas to offer a free online multimedia course tied to this programming special about the history of the musical genre and its evolution with cultural and technological shifts. Enrollment is open until June 17 and fans can sign up for the course at musicals.tcm.com.

VIDEO: On This Day, May 8: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM Opens on Broadway!
by A.A. Cristi - May 8, 2018


On this day in 1962, Stephen Sondheim's A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM opened on Broadway!

Astoria Performing Arts Center Announces Cast & Creative Team For FOLLIES
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 4, 2018


Award-winning and critically-acclaimed Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC - Jesse Marchese, Executive Director; Dev Bondarin, Artistic Director) concludes its 17th mainstage season with a production of the legendary musical Follies by James Goldman (Book) and Stephen Sondheim (Music & Lyrics), directed by APAC artistic director, Dev Bondarin (New York Innovative Theatre Awards nominee for Best Director for APAC's 2017 production of Raisin) and choreographed by Sara Brians (Resident Choreographer, Matilda, Broadway). Follies runs from May 3 - 26, 2018 at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 30-44 Crescent St. (at 30th Road), Astoria, NY 11102.

UN DÍA COMO HOY…: ¡Felicidades, STEPHEN SONDHEIM y ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER!
by Jose German Martinez Paneque - Mar 22, 2018


Hoy comparten cumpleaños los grandisimos compositores Stephen Sondheim y Andrew Lloyd Webber, sin los cuales el Teatro Musical no habria sido el mismo, y hacemos un repaso por sus carreras y, sobre todo, por las producciones que se han hecho en España de sus obras.

Rubicon Theatre Presents KING LEAR Starring George Ball
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 13, 2018


Rubicon Theatre presents a timely and trenchant production of Shakespeare's tragedy KING LEAR as the centerpiece of the company's 20th Anniversary Season. Directed by Co-Founder James O'Neil, the production features a 20-member cast led by acclaimed actor and company memberGeorge Ball, who has starred in previous Rubicon productions of All My Sons, Man of La Mancha, and Jacques Brel… (New York, L.A., and international companies of the latter).

Way Off Broadway Welcomes The Return of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
by Julie Musbach - Mar 12, 2018


In 2002, The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre opened its season with a set of new owners and the hilarious musical comedy farce A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Sixteen years later, the Kiska family, who purchased the theatre in 2002, and Way Off Broadway are very excited to see the return of one of the funniest shows to ever appear on the WOB stage. Forum will continue the theatre's 2018 Mega-Mini Season, running March 23rd - May 19th.

Starlight Community Theater Presents A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
by Alan Henry - Mar 2, 2018


Starlight Community Theater (SCT) will be presenting A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum for eight performances from March 2 through March 11. This production marks the seventh show of SCT's 2017-2018 season.

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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