Muny Forest Park Schedule a Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum July 8

Stephen Sondheim Broadway musical

A Funny Matter Happened
on the Mode to the Forum
AFTHWF original Playbill.jpg

Playbill from the original Broadway production

Music Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Stephen Sondheim
Volume Burt Shevelove
Larry Gelbart
Productions 1962 Broadway
1963 Westward End
1966 picture show
1972 Broadway
1986 Due west End
1996 Broadway
2004 Majestic National Theatre
2009 Hong Kong
2009 Stratford Shakespeare Festival
2012 Melbourne
Awards Tony Honor for Best Musical
Tony Award for All-time Author (Musical)

A Funny Thing Happened on the Manner to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book past Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart.

Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus (254–184 BC), 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 immature master woo the girl next door. The plot displays many classic elements of farce, including puns, the slamming of doors, cases of mistaken identity (often involving characters disguising themselves as i another), and satirical comments on social course. The championship derives from a line often used by vaudeville comedians to begin a story: "A funny thing happened on the way to the theater".

The musical's original 1962 Broadway run won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Author (Musical). A Funny Matter has enjoyed several Broadway and W Stop revivals and was made into a successful motion picture starring the original lead of the stage musical, Zero Mostel.

Productions [edit]

Original Broadway [edit]

A Funny Thing Happened on the Fashion to the Forum opened on Broadway on May 8, 1962, at the Alvin Theatre, and and so transferred to the Mark Hellinger Theatre and the Majestic Theatre, where the show closed on Baronial 29, 1964, later 964 performances and 8 previews.

The show's creators originally wanted Phil Silvers in the pb part of Pseudolus, but he turned them down, allegedly because he would accept to perform onstage without his glasses, and his vision was and then poor that he feared tripping into the orchestra pit. He is likewise quoted as turning down the role for being "Sgt. Bilko in a toga". (Silvers eventually played the office — wearing his glasses — in a 1972 revival. In the motion picture, he played Marcus Lycus.) Milton Berle also passed on the role. Eventually, Zero Mostel was cast.[1]

During the out of boondocks pre-Broadway tryouts the evidence was attracting little business concern and not playing well. Jerome Robbins was called in to give advice and make changes. The biggest change Robbins made was a new opening number to supplant "Dear Is in the Air" and innovate the show equally a bawdy, wild one-act. Stephen Sondheim wrote the song "Comedy Tonight" for this new opening.[1] From that point on, the evidence was a success.

Information technology was directed past George Abbott and produced past Hal Prince, with choreography past Jack Cole and uncredited staging and choreography past Robbins. The scenic and costume design was by Tony Walton. This wardrobe is on display at the Costume World Broadway Collection in Pompano Embankment, Florida. The lighting design was past Jean Rosenthal. Along with Mostel, the musical featured a bandage of seasoned performers, including Jack Gilford (Mostel'due south friend and fellow blacklist member), David Burns, John Carradine, Ruth Kobart, and Raymond Walburn. The young lovers were played by Brian Davies and Preshy Marker. Karen Black, originally cast as the ingenue, was replaced out of boondocks.

The show won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical, All-time Actor (Mostel), All-time Supporting Actor (Burns), Best Book, and All-time Manager. The score, Sondheim's first Broadway product for which he wrote both music and lyrics, did not earn a nomination.

London [edit]

The show was presented twice in London's West End. The 1963 production and its 1986 revival were staged at the Strand Theatre and the Piccadilly Theatre respectively,[2] [3] and starred Frankie Howerd equally Pseudolus and Leon Greene every bit Miles Gloriosus in both. In the 1963 product, Kenneth Connor appeared every bit Hysterium, 'Monsewer' Eddie Greyness equally Senex and Jon Pertwee as Marcus Lycus. In the 1986 revival, Patrick Cargill was Senex with Ronnie Stevens as Hysterium and Derek Royle as Erronius.

In 2004 there was a express-run revival at the Majestic National Theatre, starring Desmond Barrit as Pseudolus, Philip Quast as Miles Gloriosus, Hamish McColl as Hysterium and Isla Blair as Domina (who had previously played Philia in the 1963 production).[4] This production was nominated for the 2005 Olivier Award, Outstanding Musical Production.[5]

Movement flick adaptation [edit]

Both Mostel and Gilford re-created their Broadway roles for the 1966 musical motion-picture show directed by Richard Lester. Leon Greene reprised his West End role (Miles Gloriosus), while Phil Silvers portrayed Lycus, Michael Crawford portrayed Hero, and Michael Hordern played Senex. Buster Keaton fabricated his last moving-picture show appearance in the office of Erronius.

Broadway revivals [edit]

A revival opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on April iv, 1972 and closed on August 12, 1972 afterward 156 performances. Directed by co-author Burt Shevelove the cast starred Phil Silvers equally Pseudolus (after replaced by Tom Poston), Lew Parker as Senex, Carl Ballantine as Lycus and Reginald Owen as Erronius. Larry Blyden, who played Hysterium, the role created by Jack Gilford, as well co-produced.[6] "Pretty Little Picture" and "That'll Show Him" were dropped from the prove, and were replaced with "Repeat Song" (sung by Hero and Philia), and "Farewell" (added for Nancy Walker as Domina, as she and Senex depart for the country). "Echo Vocal" and "Farewell" had been added to a production staged in Los Angeles the previous yr and were equanimous by Sondheim. They had to shut before long after Phil Silvers suffered a stroke. The show won 2 Tony Awards, Best Leading Player in a Musical for Silvers, and Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Blyden.[vi]

The musical was revived again with great success in 1996, opening at the St. James Theatre on April 18, 1996 and closing on January 4, 1998 after 715 performances. The bandage starred Nathan Lane as Pseudolus (replaced past Whoopi Goldberg and later by David Alan Grier), Marking Linn-Bakery as Hysterium, Ernie Sabella as Lycus, Jim Stanek as Hero, Lewis J. Stadlen as Senex, and Cris Groenendaal every bit Miles Gloriosus. The product was directed by Jerry Zaks, with choreography by Rob Marshall. Lane won the 1996 Tony Award for All-time Leading Actor and the Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Actor in a Musical; the production was nominated for the 1996 Tony Award and Drama Desk-bound Award, Revival of a Musical.[7]

Every actor who has opened in the role of Pseudolus on Broadway (Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, and Nathan Lane) has won a Best Leading Actor Tony Award for his operation. In addition, Jason Alexander, who performed equally Pseudolus in ane scene in Jerome Robbins' Broadway, too won a Tony for Best Actor in a Musical.

Other productions [edit]

The original Australian production with American actor Jack Collins as Pseudolus opened at the Theatre Royal in Sydney in July 1964, and toured other Australian cities through 1965.[8]

In 1998, Jon English language starred as Pseudolus in Essgee Entertainment'southward production that opened New Yr's Day at the State Theatre, Melbourne and toured Commonwealth of australia and New Zealand, endmost September 1999.[9]

The Stephen Sondheim Centre for the Performing Arts produced a limited-run revival of the musical from Jan 11 to 27, 2008. The production was directed by Randal Yard. W, with Justin Hill as musical director and Adam Cates as choreographer. The cast featured Richard Kind as Pseudolus, Joel Blum equally Senex, Stephen DeRosa as Marcus Lycus, Sean McCall as Hysterium, and Steve Wilson as Miles Gloriosus. It as well featured Diana Upton-Hill, Ryan Gaffney, Stephen Mark Crisp, Jack Kloppenborg, and Margret Clair.[x] [eleven] [12]

The Chung Ying Theatre Company in Hong Kong staged a Cantonese version of the musical at Kwai Tsing Theatre, to celebrate the company's 30th anniversary. It was directed by Chung Male monarch Fai and Ko Tin Lung and ran from 14 to 21 March 2009.[13]

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario, Canada product ran from June eleven to Nov seven, 2009, with Des McAnuff directing and Wayne Cilento every bit choreographer.[14] Bruce Dow originally performed the role of Pseudolus, just was forced to withdraw from the entire 2009 flavor due to an injury, and the part was then performed by Seán Cullen equally of September 5, 2009.[15] Stephen Ouimette played Hysterium. Mirvish Productions presented the earlier Stratford production at the Canon Theatre, Toronto, in December 2010 through January 2011. Bruce Dow and Sean Cullen were alternates in the lead function.[xvi]

In October 2012 the play opened at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, Australia, with Geoffrey Rush as Pseudolus, Magda Szubanski as Domina and Shane Bourne as Senex.[17]

A Funny Matter Happened on the Way to the Forum was produced at the Two River Theater in Red Banking concern, New Jersey from Nov 14, 2015 to Dec thirteen, 2015 with an all-male person cast (Paul Castree, Eddie Cooper, Kevin Isola, David Josefsberg, Max Kumangai, Graham Rowat, Manny Stark, Bobby Conte Thornton, David Turner, Michael Urie, Tom Deckman, and Christopher Fitzgerald).[18]

Plot [edit]

Graphic from the original Broadway cast album

In ancient Rome, some neighbors live in three adjacent houses. In the heart is the house of Senex, who lives there with wife Domina, son Hero, and several slaves, including head slave Hysterium and the musical'due south principal character Pseudolus. A slave belonging to Hero, Pseudolus wishes to buy, win, or steal his freedom. One of the neighboring houses is owned by Marcus Lycus, who is a buyer and seller of beautiful women; the other belongs to the ancient Erronius, who is abroad searching for his long-lost children (stolen in infancy by pirates).

I day, Senex and Domina keep a trip and leave Pseudolus in charge of Hero. Hero confides in Pseudolus that he is in love with the lovely Philia, 1 of the courtesans in the Firm of Lycus (albeit still a virgin). Pseudolus promises to help him win Philia's honey in exchange for his own liberty. Unfortunately (as the ii find out when they pay a visit on Lycus), Philia has been sold to the renowned warrior Miles Gloriosus, who is expected to claim her very shortly. Pseudolus, an excellent liar, uses Philia'south cheery disposition to convince Lycus that she has picked up a plague from Crete, which causes its victims to smile endlessly in its terminal stages. By offering to isolate her in Senex'southward firm, he is able to give Philia and Hero some fourth dimension lone together, and the two autumn in dearest. But Philia insists that, even though she is in love with Hero, she must honour her contract with the Captain, for "that is the way of a courtesan." To appease her, he tells her to await ("that's what virgins practice best, isn't it?") inside, and that he volition accept the captain knock 3 times when he arrives. Pseudolus comes up with a plan to slip Philia a sleeping potion that will render her unconscious. He volition then tell Lycus that she has died of the Cretan plague, and will offering to remove the body. Hero will come along, and they will stow abroad on a ship headed for Hellenic republic. Satisfied with his plan, Pseudolus steals Hysterium's book of potions and has Hero read him the recipe for the sleeping potion; the only ingredient he lacks is "mare's sweat", and Pseudolus goes off in search of some.

Unexpectedly, Senex returns home early from his trip, and knocks iii times on his own door. Philia comes out of the house, and, thinking that Senex is the Captain, offers herself up to him. Surprised but game, Senex instructs Philia to await in the firm for him, and she does. Hysterium arrives to this confusion, and tells Senex that Philia is the new maid that he has hired. Pseudolus returns, having procured the necessary mare's sweat; seeing that Senex has returned unexpectedly and grasping the need to keep him out of the way, Pseudolus discreetly sprinkles some of the equus caballus-sweat onto him, then suggests that the road trip has left Senex in dire need of a bathroom. Taking the bait, Senex instructs Hysterium to describe him a bath in the long-abandoned house of Erronius. But while this is happening, Erronius returns abode, finally having given up the search for his long-lost children. Hysterium, desperate to keep him out of the house where his master is bathing, tells the onetime man that his house has become haunted – a story seemingly confirmed by the audio of Senex singing in his bath. Erronius immediately determines to have a soothsayer come and banish the spirit from his firm, and Pseudolus obligingly poses every bit ane, telling Erronius that, in order to banish the spirit, he must travel seven times effectually the vii hills of Rome (thus keeping the old human occupied and out of the way for quite a while).

When Miles Gloriosus arrives to claim his courtesan-bride, Pseudolus hides Philia on the roof of Senex'south business firm; told that she has "escaped", Lycus is terrified to face up the Captain's wrath. Pseudolus offers to impersonate Lycus and talk his way out of the mess but, his ingenuity flagging, he ends up merely telling the Captain that Philia has disappeared, and that he, "Lycus", will search for her. Displeased and suspicious, Miles insists that his soldiers back-trail Pseudolus, but the wily slave loses them in Rome's winding streets.

Complicating matters further, Domina returns from her trip early on, suspicious that her husband Senex is "up to something low." She disguises herself in virginal white robes and a veil (much similar Philia'southward) to effort to grab Senex being unfaithful. Pseudolus convinces Hysterium to assist him by dressing in drag and pretending to be Philia, "dead" from the plague. Unfortunately, information technology turns out that Miles Gloriosus has just returned from Crete, where at that place is of form no actual plague. With the ruse thus revealed, the main characters run for their lives, resulting in a madcap chase across the stage with both Miles and Senex pursuing all three "Philia"south (Domina, Hysterium, and the actual Philia – all wearing identical white robes and veils). Meanwhile, the courtesans from the business firm of Marcus Lycus – who had been recruited equally mourners at "Philia"'s ersatz funeral – have escaped, and Lycus sends his eunuchs out to bring them all back, calculation to the general pandemonium.

Finally, the Captain's troops are able to circular everyone up. His plot thoroughly unraveled, Pseudolus appears to be in deep trouble – just Erronius, completing his third circuit of the Roman hills, shows up fortuitously to discover that Miles Gloriosus and Philia are wearing matching rings which mark them as his long-lost children. Philia'due south betrothal to the Captain is nullified past the unexpected revelation that he's her brother, and, equally the daughter of a free-built-in citizen, she's freed from Marcus Lycus. Philia weds Hero; Pseudolus gets his freedom and the lovely courtesan Gymnasia; Gloriosus receives twin courtesans to replace Philia; and Erronius is reunited with his children. A happy ending prevails for all – except for poor Senex, stuck with his shrewish wife Domina.

Characters [edit]

  • Pseudolus: A Roman slave, owned past Hero, who seeks to win freedom by helping Hero win the heart of Philia. The slave name Pseudolus means "Faker". While originally written as a male function, information technology has been performed past female actors as well.
  • Hero: Young son of Senex who falls in honey with the virgin, Philia.
  • Philia: (Greek for "love") A virgin in the firm of Marcus Lycus, and Hero's honey interest. Her name is also a homophone of the Latin discussion "Filia", which ways daughter. This foreshadows her condition as the daughter of Erronius.
  • Hysterium: (Latin for "Hysterical", or "Broken-hearted", the suffix "-um" makes the name neuter, and the character's gender is ofttimes mistaken throughout the piece) The master slave in the house of Senex.
  • Senex: (Latin for "old human") A henpecked, sardonic Roman senator living in a less stylish suburb of Rome.
  • Domina: (Latin for "mistress") The wife of Senex. A manipulative, shrewish woman who is loathed by even her husband.
  • Marcus Lycus: A purveyor of courtesans, who operates from the house to the left of Senex. (Name based on Lycus, the pimp in Plautus'south Poenulus.)
  • Miles Gloriosus: (Latin for "exhibitionistic soldier", the classic of the braggart soldier in Roman comedies) A helm in the Roman ground forces to whom Marcus Lycus has promised Philia.
  • Erronius: (Latin for "wandering") Senex's elderly neighbor in the business firm to the right. He has spent the past twenty years searching for his two children, kidnapped in infancy by pirates.
  • Gymnasia: (Greek for "Athletic", with the connotation of nakedness) A courtesan from the house of Lycus with whom Pseudolus falls in love.
  • Tintinabula: (Latin for "Bells") A jingling, bell-wearing courtesan in the house of Lycus.
  • Vibrata: (Latin for "Vibrant") A wild, vibrant courtesan in the firm of Lycus.
  • Geminae: (Latin for "Twins") Twin courtesans in the house of Lycus.
  • Panacea: (Greek for "Cure All") A courtesan in the house of Lycus.
  • Proteans: Choristers who play multiple roles (slaves, citizens, soldiers, and eunuchs). They accompany Pseudolus in "Comedy Tonight". On Broadway, three people played all of these roles.

Bandage [edit]

Part Original Broadway Original London 1966 picture show 1972 Broadway Revival 1996 Broadway Revival 2004 London Revival
Prologus/Pseudolus Zero Mostel Frankie Howerd Zero Mostel Phil Silvers Nathan Lane Desmond Barrit
Hero Brian Davies John Rye Michael Crawford John Hansen[19] Jim Stanek Vince Leigh
Philia Preshy Marker Isla Blair Annette Andre Pamela Hall Jessica Boevers Caroline Sheen
Hysterium Jack Gilford Kenneth Connor Jack Gilford Larry Blyden Marking Linn-Baker Hamish McColl
Senex David Burns Eddie Gray Michael Hordern Lew Parker Lewis J. Stadlen Sam Kelly
Domina Ruth Kobart Linda Grayness Patricia Jessel Lizabeth Pritchett Mary Testa Isla Blair
Marcus Lycus John Carradine Jon Pertwee Phil Silvers Carl Ballantine Ernie Sabella David Schneider
Miles Gloriosus Ronald Holgate Leon Greene Leon Greene Carl Lindstrom Cris Groenendaal Philip Quast
Erronius Raymond Walburn Robertson Hare Buster Keaton Reginald Owen William Duell Harry Towb

Songs [edit]

Cut Songs: [xx]

  • "Dear Is in the Air" – Prologus (Played past Senex) and Proteans (Originally intended as the opening number, replaced with "Comedy Tonight".[21] The vocal was after featured in the motion picture The Birdcage (1996) where information technology was performed past Robin Williams and Christine Baranski.)
  • "Invocation and Instructions to the Audience" (Another version of the opening number. Used in subsequent revues of Sondheim songs and was sung by Nathan Lane in the musical The Frogs.)
  • "I Do Like You" – Pseudolus and Hysterium
  • "There'due south Something Nigh a State of war" – Miles Gloriosus
  • "Echo Vocal" – Philia
  • "Your Eyes Are Blue" – Hero
  • "The Gaggle of Geese" – Erronius
  • "What Do You Practise With a Adult female?" – Hero

Notes:

"Pretty Picayune Motion picture" is frequently dropped from productions of the show, and one poesy of "I'm Calm" is also frequently trimmed. A song for Domina entitled "Farewell" was added for the 1972 Revival equally she and Senex depart for the country. "Echo Song" was reinstated in the same revival.

Awards and honors [edit]

Original Broadway production [edit]

Twelvemonth Honor ceremony Category Nominee Result
1962 Outer Critics Circumvolve Award Special Award George Abbott Won
1963 Tony Award Best Musical Won
Best Producer of a Musical Harold Prince Won
Best Writer Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart Won
Best Operation by a Leading Actor in a Musical Aught Mostel Won
All-time Performance by a Featured Histrion in a Musical David Burns Won
Jack Gilford Nominated
All-time Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical Ruth Kobart Nominated
Best Direction of a Musical George Abbott Won

1972 Broadway revival [edit]

Year Laurels Category Nominee Result
1972 Tony Honor Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Phil Silvers Won
Best Performance past a Featured Actor in a Musical Larry Blyden Won
Best Direction of a Musical Burt Shevelove Nominated

1996 Broadway revival [edit]

Year Award Category Nominee Result
1996 Tony Award Best Revival of a Musical Nominated
Best Performance past a Leading Actor in a Musical Nathan Lane Won
All-time Operation by a Featured Actor in a Musical Lewis J. Stadlen Nominated
All-time Management of a Musical Jerry Zaks Nominated
Drama Desk-bound Award Outstanding Revival of a Musical Nominated
Outstanding Actor in a Musical Nathan Lane Won
Outer Critics Circle Honor Outstanding Player in a Musical Nathan Lane Won
Outstanding Director of a Musical Jerry Zaks Won
Drama League Award Distinguished Production of a Revival Nominated

.

References [edit]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Green, Stanley and Greenish, Kay."A Funny Matter Happened on the Manner To the Forum" Broadway Musicals, Show By Show (1996), Hal Leonard Corporation, ISBN 0-7935-7750-0, p. 198
  2. ^ "Listing, 1963 production" Guidetomusicaltheatre.com, retrieved December 9, 2009
  3. ^ "Listing, 1986 product" Thisistheatre.com, retrieved December nine, 2009
  4. ^ Inverne, James. "Thoroughly Mod Millie Closes in London as New Musicals Prepare to Open up". Playbill, June 7, 2004, accessed December 25, 2016
  5. ^ "Olivier Winners, 2005". olivierawards.com, accessed December 27, 2016
  6. ^ a b " 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Style to the Forum' 1972" sondheimguide.com, accessed December 25, 2016
  7. ^ " 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' Broadway 1996",. Playbill (vault), accessed December 26, 2016
  8. ^ "AusStage - A Funny Matter Happened on the Way to the Forum". www.ausstage.edu.au . Retrieved 2017-09-21 .
  9. ^ "A Funny Matter Happened on the Way to the Forum".
  10. ^ "News" gazettonline, Jan 14, 2008] Archived January 23, 2015, at the Wayback Motorcar
  11. ^ Lipton, Brian Scott."Richard Kind to Star in Fairfield Center's 'Forum'" Theatermania.com, January 4, 2008
  12. ^ Gans, Andrew."Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight: 'Forum' Begins Run at Sondheim Center" Archived Dec 11, 2008, at the Wayback Automobile Playbill.com, January 11, 2008
  13. ^ "Funny Thing" chungying.com Archived June 21, 2009, at the Wayback Car
  14. ^ (no author)."Stratford Production History" Stratfordfestival.ca, accessed August xvi, 2011
  15. ^ Bacalzo, Dan."Sean Cullen to Supervene upon Injured Bruce Dow in Stratford 'Forum' " Theatermania.com, August 17, 2009
  16. ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly."Theatre Review. 'A Funny Affair Happened on the Style to the Forum' nevertheless brings the funny, merely non equally much" The Globe and Post, December 20, 2010
  17. ^ "A Funny Thing Happened on the Mode to the Forum Archived October 28, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Australian website
  18. ^ Kennedy, Marina. "BWW Review: 'A Funny Matter Happened on the Way to the Forum' at TRT-Musical One-act at its Very Best" broadwayworld.com, November 24, 2015
  19. ^ "A Funny Thing Happened on the Style to the Forum – Broadway Musical – 1972 Revival | IBDB".
  20. ^ Gelbart, Larry (1990). A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: Introduction. Applause. pp. 1–10. ISBN1557830649.
  21. ^ (no author)."Cut songs, 'A Funny Thing Happened'" Sondheim.com, accessed Baronial 16, 2011

Bibliography

  • "'A Funny Affair Happened on the Way to the Forum' plot summary & grapheme descriptions" from StageAgent.com
  • "Plot and product data", guidetomusicaltheatre.com

External links [edit]

  • ​A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum​ at the Net Broadway Database
  • ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Mode to the Forum Sondheim Guide
  • "Libretto for the Broadway play". Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved Apr 20, 2017.
  • A Funny Thing Happened on the Style to the Forum at the Music Theatre International website

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Funny_Thing_Happened_on_the_Way_to_the_Forum

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