A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 1963 - Articles Page 1.8

Opened: October 3, 1963

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - 1963 - West End History , Info & More

Strand Theatre
168-9 Strand London

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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Music Theater Works Presents THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by Julie Musbach - May 8, 2018


Music Theater Works (formerly Light Opera Works) presents the Gilbert and Sullivan classic, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, at Cahn Auditorium in Evanston, June 9 through 17. A 26-piece orchestra accompanies such well-known songs as "Poor Wand'ring One," "Oh, Better Far to Live and Die" and "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General."

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.

BWW Interview: At Home at the Garry Marshall Theatre with Joseph Leo Bwarie
by Ellen Dostal - Nov 8, 2017


Theatres have a way of becoming an artist's second home. It doesn't matter if you are a director, designer, actor, or volunteer the countless hours you invest and the close proximity in which you do your work often create friendships that last a lifetime. And each time you step back through those doors you feel like you're coming home. No one knows this to be true more than Joseph Leo Bwarie, whose current home away from home is the Garry Marshall Theatre in Toluca Lake. Bwarie has been connected with the theatre (known formerly as The Falcon) and the Marshall family for many years, and he recently stepped into a co-artistic directorship of the newly-rechristened theatre, along with another longtime Marshall associate, Dimitri Toscas.

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM Opens at Walnut Street Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 8, 2017


Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 209th season with the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. Directed by, and starring, Frank Ferrante, with choreography by Michelle Gaudette, this production begins previews on September 5th, opens on September 13th and runs through October 22nd on the Walnut's Mainstage.

A FUNNY THING...FORUM Opens the Walnut's 209th Anniversary Season
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 21, 2017


Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 209th season with the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. Directed by, and starring, Frank Ferrante, with choreography by Michelle Gaudette, this production begins previews on September 5th, opens on September 13th and runs through October 22nd on the Walnut's Mainstage.

BWW Exclusive: A Chronicle of Director/Producer Hal Prince's Legendary Broadway Career
by Daniella Parcell - Jul 1, 2017


In April 1950, a young Harold Prince took his first stride on Broadway, assistant stage managing the Grace and Paul Hartman-led revue TICKETS, PLEASE! at the Coronet Theatre. Now, six decades, 21 Tony Awards and over 50 Broadway shows later, Prince prepares for another Broadway opening - this one, a revue of his own work.

BWW Exclusive: Glenn Close is Just the Latest Star to Return to an Iconic Role
by Daniella Parcell - Apr 16, 2017


On Dec. 9, 1993, Glenn Close played her first performance in the Los Angeles premiere of SUNSET BOULEVARD. A year later, she reprised her role at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre and, six months after that, earned her third Tony Award for her portrayal of Norma Desmond.

Photo Flash: Porchlight Music Theatre Revisits LITTLE ME on Opening Night
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 1, 2017


Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the continuation of the fourth season of Chicago's hit "lost" musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits Little Me, music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and book by Neil Simon based on the novel by Patrick Dennis, with direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber, musical direction by Linda Madonia, choreography by Craig Miller with special guest choreography by veteran Bob Fosse dancer Jane Lanier and starring Jeff Award-winner Matt Crowle. Porchlight Revisits Little Me is presented for three-nights-only Tuesday, Feb. 28 through Thursday, March 2 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's The Scottsboro Boys (previews begin Friday, Feb. 3) at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets for Little Me are $35. All tickets include access to the popular pre-performance event, Behind the Show Backstory, a multimedia presentation, created and hosted by Weber that discusses that evening's production including the show's creative history, backstage gossip and the state of the art on Broadway that season. Single tickets to Little Me are available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Stage 773 box office, 773.327.5252. 

Matt Crowle to Star in Porchlight Revisits' LITTLE ME
by BWW News Desk - Feb 28, 2017


Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the continuation of the fourth season of Chicago's hit "lost" musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits Little Me, music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and book by Neil Simon based on the novel by Patrick Dennis, with direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber, musical direction by Linda Madonia, choreography by Craig Miller with special guest choreography by veteran Bob Fosse dancer Jane Lanier and starring Jeff Award-winner Matt Crowle. 

Matt Crowle to Star in Porchlight Revisits' LITTLE ME
by BWW News Desk - Jan 20, 2017


Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the continuation of the fourth season of Chicago's hit "lost" musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits Little Me, music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and book by Neil Simon based on the novel by Patrick Dennis, with direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber, musical direction by Linda Madonia, choreography by Craig Miller with special guest choreography by veteran Bob Fosse dancer Jane Lanier and starring Jeff Award-winner Matt Crowle. 

Berkshire Theatre Group's Off-Broadway Transfer of FIORELLO! Opens Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Sep 9, 2016


BTG's exciting revival is the first ever full-scale New York City and Off-Broadway revival of the hit musical. Previews of Fiorello! will began Sunday, September 4, at East 13th Street Theater (136 East 13th Street, between 3rd and 4th Avenues), with opening night being held tonihgt, September 9, 2016.

Full Company Set for BTG's Off-Broadway Transfer of FIORELLO!
by BWW News Desk - Aug 18, 2016


Today, BTG is thrilled to announce the complete and final casting of this exciting revival - the first ever full-scale New York City and Off-Broadway revival of the hit musical!

Berkshire Theatre Group's FIORELLO! Will Be Musical's First Full-Scale Off-Broadway Revival
by BWW News Desk - Aug 2, 2016


Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG) has just announced its sold-out production of Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical Fiorello! will transfer to Off-Broadway's East 13th Street Theater (136 East 13th Street, between 3rd and 4th Avenues), home of Classic Stage Company.

Nashville's Theater Calendar 6/6/16
by Jeffrey Ellis - Jun 6, 2016


Summertime is here, what with Memorial Day and all that it encompasses, and we can think of no better seasonal activity than taking in some local theater. No matter where you are in the Volunteer State, Tennessee theater companies are ready and willing to help transport you to a different world, another time and place where your life can be is transformed magically on a stage very near you!

Nashville's Theater Calendar 5/30/16
by Jeffrey Ellis - May 31, 2016


Summertime is here, what with Memorial Day and all that it encompasses, and we can think of no better seasonal activity than taking in some local theater. No matter where you are in the Volunteer State, Tennessee theater companies are ready and willing to help transport you to a different world, another time and place where your life can be is transformed magically on a stage very near you!

Top Stories You Missed on BWW This Weekend - 5/7-5/8/2016
by - May 8, 2016


Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, May 8, 2016 - Sunday, May 8, 2016.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 5/8/16- A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
by Nicole Rosky - May 8, 2016


Today in 1962, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opened at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre), where it ran for 964 performances. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus, specifically Pseudolus, Miles Gloriosus and Mostellaria, the musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. The musical's original 1963 Broadway run won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book. A Funny Thing has enjoyed several Broadway and West End revivals and was made into a successful film starring the original lead of the musical, Zero Mostel.

Amas Musical Theatre Honors Tony Winner Priscilla Lopez at Gala Benefit Tonight
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 28, 2016


Amas Musical Theatre, New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, celebrates its 47th Anniversary at a gala benefit tonight, Monday, March 28th, 2016 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center(East 25th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues). Honorary Chair for the event is Tony Award winning actress, singer and dancer Donna McKechnie.  The master of ceremonies for the evening is noted theatre journalist Peter Filichia.

Five Fun Facts About HELLO, DOLLY!
by Michael Dale - Jan 19, 2016


One of Broadway's most beloved musicals looked like a disaster in out-of-town previews.

SHE LOVES ME to Play Foothill Music Theatre This February
by Tyler Peterson - Jan 6, 2016


Multi-award winning Foothill Music Theatre presents SHE LOVES ME, the charming 1963 musical adaptation of Miklos Laszlo's play Parfumerie (which later inspired the Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan feature film You've Got Mail), with a score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof) and a book by Joe Masteroff (Cabaret).

Christopher Fitzgerald and Michael Urie Star in '...FORUM', Opening Tonight at Two River Theater
by BWW News Desk - Nov 20, 2015


Two River Theater presents A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, directed by Jessica Stone and featuring an all-male troupe led by An Act of God's Christopher Fitzgerald as 'Pseudolus', a slave who tries to win his freedom by playing matchmaker for his innocent young master.

AN ACT OF GOD's Christopher Fitzgerald Leads '...FORUM', Beginning Tonight at Two River Theater
by BWW News Desk - Nov 14, 2015


Two River Theater presents A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, directed by Jessica Stone and featuring an all-male troupe led by An Act of God's Christopher Fitzgerald as 'Pseudolus', a slave who tries to win his freedom by playing matchmaker for his innocent young master.

Photo Flash: First Look- A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Fair Lawn Recreation Dept.
by Sally Henry Fuller - Oct 25, 2015


Fair Lawn Recreation Department's resident theater company, Old Library Theatre, is proud to present Sondheim's joyous, musical romp through Rome - A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. Check out photos from the show below!

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM Set for Old Library Theatre
by Tyler Peterson - Oct 9, 2015


Fair Lawn Recreation Department's resident theater company, Old Library Theatre, is proud to present Sondheim's joyous, musical romp through Rome - A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM.

Best Musical Loser! Shows You Won't Believe Didn't Win a Tony Award
by Nora Dominick - Jun 11, 2015


BroadwayWorld has decided to round up the best loser's for Best Musical and you will be surprised with some of the losers. Click through the videos below and watch some of Broadway's most iconic musicals that didn't take home the Tony Award for Best Musical.

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.

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