A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

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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In celebration of 90 years of Theatre By The Sea, owner and producer Bill Hanney presents the Tony Award-winning smash hit Jersey Boys, which will be presented from August 9 – September 10, 2023.

Lyric Stage to Present A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM in Concert at Dallas' historic Majestic Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 20, 2022

Lyric Stage will present A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in concert May 12-15, 2022 at Dallas' historic Majestic Theatre.

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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
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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.

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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.

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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.

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

Comedy Tonight
Love, I Hear
Free
The House of Marcus Lycus [i]
Lovely
Pretty Little Picture
Everybody Ought to Have a Maid
I'm Calm
Impossible
Bring Me My Bride
That Dirty Old Man
That'll Show Him
Funeral Sequence and Dance
Love Is in the Air
Your Eyes Are Blue
Echo Song
Invocation
I Do Like You
The House of Marcus Lycus [ii]
Something About a War
The Gaggle of Geese
Window Across the Way
Miles Gloriosus
Farewell
That Dirty Old Man
That'll Show Him
Funeral
Overture
Comedy Tonight
Love, I Hear
Free
Lovely
Pretty Little Picture
Everybody Ought to Have a Maid
I'm Calm
Bring Me My Bride
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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