Jungle Theater Presents A FUNNY THING HAPPENENED ON THE WAY...

In its first staging of a book musical, the Jungle takes humor back to its roots, combining the time-tested 2,000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville for an all-new production of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. The result is a non-stop laugh-fest in which a crafty slave struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan for his young master-in exchange for freedom. Director John Command helms this toe-tapping, zany romp through ancient Rome, Jungle-style.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opens June 10 and runs through July 24 at the Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. So., Minneapolis. The 1962 Broadway show, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book.

Christopher Teipner leads as Pseudolus, the slave attempting to win his freedom. Real-life married duo Richard Ooms and Claudia Wilkins star as hen-pecked husband Senex and shrewish wife Domina, the parents of Hero (Eric Heimsoth, in his Jungle debut), who has enlisted Pseudolus' help to woo Philia (Amanda Schnabel, also in her Jungle debut). Bradley Greenwald (Miles Gloriosus) and Jon Whittier (Hysterium) join the cast of 20 on the Jungle's intimate stage, along with well-known Twin Cities music director Jimmy Martin and his combo.

Jungle Artistic Director Bain Boehlke also serves as scenic director for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and will transform the Jungle stage into a brilliantly vivid cartoony pop-up card. The creative team includes Barry Browning (lighting designer), Christine Fournier (assistant director), Sean Healey (sound designer), Wu Chen Khoo (technical director), Kathy Kohl (costume designer) and John Novak (properties/stage manager.)

Boehlke said that he selected this classic musical comedy for the Jungle's 21st season because it's "absurd and outrageous and just plain old fun."

TICKET INFORMATION
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opens Friday, June 10, and closes Sunday, June 24, at the Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. So., Minneapolis. Performances are Tuesdays ($20) and Wednesdays ($25) at 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. ($30); Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. ($35); Sundays at 2 p.m. ($30); and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. ($25). Senior, student and group discounts are also available, and half-price rush tickets are available every night of the week 30 minutes prior to the performance for $10 off the regular price. Tickets are available at (612) 822-7063 or online at www.jungletheater.com