Review: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at The Marcelle Theatre

New Line Theatre stages a hilarious production through June 24th.

By: Jun. 03, 2023

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM opened Friday evening as the final show in 31st season at New Line Theatre. Originally opening on Broadway in 1962, FORUM was written by comic playwrights Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart with music and lyrics by Stephen Soundheim. It is a hysterical farce inspired by the comedies of Greek playwright Plautus, an early playwright in the Roman theatre.

Shevelove and Gelbart’s zany book is what makes A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM work. One could argue that the book's comedic writing is so strong that this could have stood on its own as a play. The work was Soundheim’s first score for which he is credited with both music and lyrics. The opening number “Comedy Tonight” is one of the most successful rewrites in Broadway history based on the advice of Jerome Robins. As a result, “Comedy Tonight” not only made FORUM a hit, it establishes the mood of the piece as a wild and bawdy comedy, and has become the most memorable song in the musical.

New Line Theatre’s production of A FUNNY THING HAPPENS ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM succeeds due to Scott Miller’s directorial vision and the comedic timing of Miller’s strong cast. There are plenty of laughs in the First Act, but the second act builds to a crescendo of complete hilarity. Miller’s blocking and the actors’ execution of  the Second Act chase scene is downright madcap. Ann Hier Brown’s delivery of “That Dirty Old Man,” Kent Coffel and Chris Moore’s delivery of “Lovely,” and the Company’s collaboration on “Funeral Sequence” keeps the audience laughing nonstop following the intermission. The remaining cast Jason Blackburn, Danny Brown, Gary Cox, Robert Doyle, Nathan Hakenewerth, Brittany Kohl Hester, Aarin Kamphoefner, Ian McCreary and Sarah Wilkinson rely on their deadpan delivery and physical comedy to deliver big laughs throughout the show.

New Line’s production of the 50-year-old classic musical is fresh, fun and entertaining. This production plays Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM at the Marcelle Theatre in Grand Center through June 24th.  For more information on A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, visit newlinetheatre.com




RELATED STORIES - St. Louis

1
Single Tickets Go On Sale Next Week For Broadway at Stifels Premiere Season Photo
Single Tickets Go On Sale Next Week For Broadway at Stifel's Premiere Season

Single tickets for Harper Lee's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, HAIRSPRAY and THE CHER SHOW, all coming to Stifel Theatre in 2024, will go on sale Monday, October 2 at 10:00 a.m. CT. Learn more about the season and find out how to get tickets here!

2
Pink Floyd Experience, EL MONSTERO Comes to The Pageant in December Photo
Pink Floyd Experience, EL MONSTERO Comes to The Pageant in December

El Monstero, the definitive U.S. Pink Floyd Experience, has announced their annual winter shows at The Pageant in The Loop. Learn more about the upcoming performances and find out how to get tickets here!

3
DISNEY PRINCESS- THE CONCERT Comes To The Fabulous Fox Theatre, March 16 Photo
DISNEY PRINCESS- THE CONCERT Comes To The Fabulous Fox Theatre, March 16

Disney Princess - The Concert returns to the US in 2024 with Broadway stars Lissa deGuzman, Syndee Winters, and Anneliese van der Pol performing at the Fabulous Fox Theatre on March 16 at 2 & 7:30 PM. Tickets on sale September 29 at 10 AM.

4
Review: WRENS at The Kranzberg Arts Center Photo
Review: WRENS at The Kranzberg Arts Center

As a man I felt honored to be allowed these glimpses into what it is to be a woman.

Videos


#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Company
Fox Theatre (2/27-3/10)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Aladdin
Fox Theatre (12/12-12/17)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# The Book of Mormon (Non-Equity)
Fox Theatre (4/09-4/14)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Ben Jones: Let Me Be Frank
Blue Strawberry (10/15-10/15)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Moulin Rouge!
Fox Theatre (4/30-5/12)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# CLASSIFIED: sound secrets
The Chapel (10/07-10/07)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Just One Look
City Winery (11/22-11/22)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Sweet Potato Queens
New Line Theatre at the Marcelle (2/29-3/23)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Come From Away (Non-Equity)
Fox Theatre (11/03-11/05)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
The Ross Family Theatre at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center (9/08-10/08)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You