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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 1962 - Articles Page 5

Opened: May 8, 1962

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - 1962 Broadway History , Info & More


Majestic Theatre (Broadway)
245 West 44th St. New York, NY

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.


A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - 1962 - Broadway Cast

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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - 1962 - Broadway Articles Page 5

Photo Coverage: New York City Gala - Tribute to SONDHEIM Part 2
by Walter McBride - Apr 29, 2010


Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones, currently starring in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music, led the all-star cast performing in Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday celebration on April 26 at New York City Center. Like Lansbury and Zeta-Jones, all of the performers have either originated Sondheim characters or performed them in notable revivals. As a group, the gala's performers have appeared in more than 75 Sondheim shows. The gala, directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, highlighted numbers from shows for which Sondheim has written both music and lyrics, and featured a full orchestra conducted by Encores! Music Director Rob Berman. The benefit will help fund New York City Center's artistic and education programs. In addition, a portion of the evening's proceeds will go to Young Playwrights Inc, a charity of great importance to Sondheim.

Photo Coverage: New York City Center Gala Honoring SONDHEIM- Part 1
by Walter McBride - Apr 29, 2010


Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones, currently starring in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music, led the all-star cast performing in Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday celebration on April 26 at New York City Center. Like Lansbury and Zeta-Jones, all of the performers have either originated Sondheim characters or performed them in notable revivals. As a group, the gala's performers have appeared in more than 75 Sondheim shows. The gala, directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, highlighted numbers from shows for which Sondheim has written both music and lyrics, and featured a full orchestra conducted by Encores! Music Director Rob Berman. The benefit will help fund New York City Center's artistic and education programs. In addition, a portion of the evening's proceeds will go to Young Playwrights Inc, a charity of great importance to Sondheim.

Photo Flash: Sneak Peek - City Center's Sondheim Celebration
by Jessica Lewis - Apr 28, 2010


Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones, currently starring in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music, led the all-star cast performing in Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday celebration on April 26 at New York City Center. Like Lansbury and Zeta-Jones, all of the performers have either originated Sondheim characters or performed them in notable revivals. As a group, the gala's performers have appeared in more than 75 Sondheim shows. The gala, directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, highlighted numbers from shows for which Sondheim has written both music and lyrics, and featured a full orchestra conducted by Encores! Music Director Rob Berman. The benefit will help fund New York City Center's artistic and education programs. In addition, a portion of the evening's proceeds will go to Young Playwrights Inc, a charity of great importance to Sondheim. BroadwayWorld brings you a sneak peek of the evening below. Stay tuned for complete coverage coming soon!

Lansbury, Esparza & More Celebrate Sondheim at New York City Center Benefit, 4/26
by BWW News Desk - Apr 26, 2010


New York City Center will celebrate Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner Stephen Sondheim on the occasion of his 80th birthday on Monday, April 26 with a gala celebration featuring stars who have shone in Sondheim musicals including Michael Cerveris, Barbara Cook, Raúl Esparza, Victor Garber, Joanna Gleason, Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, Donna Murphy and Bernadette Peters. Directed by Tony Award-winner John Doyle, the evening will highlight shows for which Mr. Sondheim has written both music and lyrics, and will feature a full orchestra conducted by Encores! Music Director Rob Berman. The Benefit will help fund New York City Center's artistic and education programs. In addition, a portion of the evening's proceeds will go to Young Playwrights Inc, a charity of great importance to Mr. Sondheim.

Photo Coverage: Bergdorf Goodman Honors Sondheim with Window Displays
by Jessica Lewis - Apr 21, 2010


Stephen Sondheim is widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential, and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. He is the winner of an Academy Award, numerous Tony Award, multiple Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Some of his other accolades include a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors (1993), the National Medal of Arts (1996), the American Academy of Arts and Letters' Gold Medal for Music (2006) and a special Tony Awardâfor Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (2008).

Signature Theatre Closes the Curtain on SWEENEY TODD, 4/4
by BWW News Desk - Apr 4, 2010


The Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre, nationally known for its interpretation of Stephen Sondheim musicals, celebrated its 20th anniversary season by presenting Sondheim's most popular musical SWEENEY TODD, directed by Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer. The production will end its run in the 276-seat MAX Theater, April 4, 2010.

Michael Ball Pays Tribute to Stephen Sondheim
by Jessica Lewis - Mar 29, 2010


Stephen Sondheim is widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential, and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. He is the winner of an Academy Award, numerous Tony Award, multiple Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Some of his other accolades include a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors (1993), the National Medal of Arts (1996), the American Academy of Arts and Letters' Gold Medal for Music (2006) and a special Tony Awardâfor Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (2008).

Lansbury, Nunn, Front & Logan on Sondheim's Legacy
by Jessica Lewis - Mar 29, 2010


Stephen Sondheim is widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential, and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. He is the winner of an Academy Award, numerous Tony Award, multiple Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Some of his other accolades include a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors (1993), the National Medal of Arts (1996), the American Academy of Arts and Letters' Gold Medal for Music (2006) and a special Tony Awardâfor Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (2008).

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM Closes at Reprise Theatre, 3/28
by BWW News Desk - Mar 28, 2010


Reprise Theatre Company's production of 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,' 1962's Tony-Award-winning Best Musical, will play its final performance on March 28 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. Directed by David Lee, the production's book is by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Angela Lansbury & Catherine Zeta-Jones Join Sondheim Tribute 4/26 at City Center
by Robert Diamond - Mar 23, 2010


Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones, currently starring in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music, have joined the all-star cast performing in Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday celebration April 26 at New York City Center. Like Lansbury and Zeta-Jones, all of the performers have either originated Sondheim characters or performed them in notable revivals.

Photo Coverage: Roundabout's Sondheim 80 Gala at Sondheim on Sondheim!
by Peter James Zielinski - Mar 23, 2010


Stephen Sondheim turned 80 on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 and he celebrated this landmark event with Roundabout Theatre Company at a special performance of Sondheim on Sondheim and star-studded tribute at Roundabout's 2010 Spring Gala: Sondheim 80.

Henry Miller Theatre's to Be Renamed as THE STEPHEN SONDHEIM THEATRE!
by Robert Diamond - Mar 22, 2010


Longtime collaborators James Lapine and John Weidman announced the renaming of Henry Miller's Theatre to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. The renaming of the theatre is dedicated to Stephen Sondheim, the greatest and best known artist in American musical theatre on his 80th birthday. The announcement was made at the curtain call following Roundabout Theatre Company's gala performance of the new Broadway musical Sondheim on Sondheim.

SONDHEIM @ 80 Stage Tube: Sondheim Wins His First TONY Awards!
by BroadwayWorld TV - Mar 22, 2010


From footage of the 1971 Tony Awards, Angela Lansbury presents Stephen Sondheim wins his first Tony Award for the music to 'Company', followed by Sondheim receiving his second Tony Award for lyrics for the same musical.

SONDHEIM @ 80 Stage Tube: 30 Songs in 9 Minutes!
by BroadwayWorld TV - Mar 22, 2010


Putting It Together is a musical revue that showcases 30 of Sondheim's most beloved songs from such musicals as Sunday in the Park with George, Assassins, Company, Merrily We Roll Along, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd and others. Many of the classic Sondheim songs are presented in a context entirely different from that for which they were written, so the show is billed as a 'review' of the composer's work. Here's an excerpt of the revue - 30 snippets of incredible Sondheim songs!

SONDHEIM @ 80 Stage Tube: Sondheim Teaches COMPANY's 'Not Getting Married'
by BroadwayWorld TV - Mar 22, 2010


Who better to talk about and teach Sondheim's music than the man himself. Here, he teaches students at Guildhall School the song 'Not Getting Married' from 'Company'.

SONDHEIM @ 80 Stage Tube: Sondheim Teaches 'My Friends' from SWEENEY TODD
by BroadwayWorld TV - Mar 22, 2010


Who better to talk about and teach Sondheim's music than the man himself. Here, he walks through the song 'My Friends' from the macabre musical 'Sweeney Todd' with students of Guildhall School.

SONDHEIM @ 80 Stage Tube: Sondheim Teaches 'Send in the Clowns'
by Stage Tube - Mar 22, 2010


Who better to talk about and teach Sondheim's music than the man himself. In the video that follows, Sondheim teaches a student from the Guildhall School of Music in London a segment of the classic 'Send in the Clowns'.

STAGE TUBE: Reprise Theatre Presents A FUNNY THING...
by BroadwayWorld TV - Mar 18, 2010


The 2009-2010 season of Reprise Theatre Company continues with 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,' 1962's Tony-Award-winning Best Musical, now playing through March 28 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. Directed by David Lee, the production's book is by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Watch a 30-second promo below!

Photo Flash: Reprise Theatre Presents A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
by BWW News Desk - Mar 16, 2010


The 2009-2010 season of Reprise Theatre Company continues with 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,' 1962's Tony-Award-winning Best Musical, March 16 to 28 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. Directed by David Lee, the production's book is by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Reprise Theatre Company Opens A FUNNY THING HAPPENED...FORUM, 3/16
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 16, 2010


Reprise Theatre Company will open A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 1962's Tony-Award-winning Best Musical, March 16-28 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. Directed by David Lee, the production's book is by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Single tickets are available for Forum online at www.reprise.org or through the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310-825-2101.

NY Philharmonic's Star Studded SONDHEIM: THE BIRTHDAY CONCERT to Feature LuPone, Peters, Cerveris, Patinkin, McDonald & More, 3/16
by BWW News Desk - Mar 16, 2010


The New York Philharmonic will present SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert on March 15 and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. This celebration of the 80th birthday of the great Broadway and film composer/lyricist will include his most enduring orchestral music and songs - performed, in some cases, by the stars of the original Broadway cast productions - in addition to rarely-heard material. Joining the celebration will be (in alphabetical order) Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Jason Danieley, Nathan Gunn, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, and others to be announced, including surprise guests. Paul Gemignani, Mr. Sondheim's longtime collaborator, will conduct the New York Philharmonic; Lonny Price is the director; and Mr. Price and Matt Cowart are the producers.

42nd St. Moon Announces Upcoming Season Including BABES IN ARMS & STRIKE UP THE BAND
by Lauren Wolman - Mar 3, 2010


Greg MacKellan, artistic director of 42nd Street Moon, and Stephanie Rhoads, producing director, today announced details of the upcoming 2010-11 season of uncommon musical theater. For its eighteenth season, merriment abounds in a season rife with Lovers, Liars and Clowns at the Eureka Theatre. The great American composers, lyricists, and librettists featured in 2010-11 are Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Jerome Kern, George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, John Kander and Fred Ebb, George S. Kaufman, Stephen Sondheim and more.

Lane, LuPone, Garber et al. Celebrate Sondheim's 80th with Starry Benefit Gala, 4/26
by Jessica Lewis - Feb 24, 2010


Tom Aldredge, Len Cariou, Nathan Lane, Alexander Hanson and Michele Pawk have joined other stars who have shone in Stephen Sondheim musicals, including Michael Cerveris, Barbara Cook, Raúl Esparza, Sutton Foster, Victor Garber, Joanna Gleason, Patti LuPone, Donna Murphy and Bernadette Peters in a gala celebration of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Stephen Sondheim on the occasion of his 80th birthday on Monday, April 26. The gala, directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, will highlight numbers from shows for which Mr. Sondheim has written both music and lyrics, and will feature a full orchestra conducted by Encores! Music Director Rob Berman. The benefit will help fund New York City Center's artistic and education programs. In addition, a portion of the evening's proceeds will go to Young Playwrights Inc, a charity of great importance to Mr. Sondheim.

Wilkof, Raben Lead Reprise's A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
by Gabrielle Sierra - Feb 18, 2010


The 2009-2010 season of Reprise Theatre Company continues with 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,' 1962's Tony-Award-winning Best Musical, March 16 to 28 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. Directed by David Lee, the production's book is by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Signature Theatre Presents SWEENEY TODD, 2/9-4/4
by BWW News Desk - Feb 9, 2010


The Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre, nationally known for its interpretation of Stephen Sondheim musicals, celebrates its 20th anniversary season by presenting Sondheim's most popular musical SWEENEY TODD, directed by Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer. The new production runs in the 276-seat MAX Theater, February 9 through April 4, 2010.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum History

Other Productions of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

1962   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1963   West End London Production
West End
1963   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
1971   Regional (US) Regional Revival
Regional (US)
1972   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1986   West End London Revival
West End
1987   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
1991   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Production
Off-Broadway
1996   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2004   West End Royal National Theatre Production
West End
2017   St. Louis, MO (Regional) The Muny Revival
St. Louis, MO (Regional)

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - 1962 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1972 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Burt Shevelove
1972 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Phil Silvers
1972 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Larry Blyden
1963 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical George Abbott
1963 Tony Awards Best Musical Burt Shevelove
1963 Tony Awards Best Musical Larry Gelbart
1963 Tony Awards Best Musical Stephen Sondheim
1963 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Zero Mostel
1963 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical David Burns
1963 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Jack Gilford
1963 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Ruth Kobart
1963 Tony Awards Producer (Musical) Harold Prince

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