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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 1962

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.


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Buck Creek Playhouse to Present INTO THE WOODS in June
by Blair Ingenthron - May 25, 2024


Buck Creek Players will present the final show of our 50th season with this musical on our mainstage. Join us for the eight live in-person performances at the playhouse starting Friday, June 14th and running through Sunday, June 23rd. 

Games, Books, and Collectables Belonging to Stephen Sondheim Will Be Auctioned in June
by Nicole Rosky - May 23, 2024


Memorabilia includes his gold record for West Side Story, custom-embroidered asylum coat from Sweeney Todd and more, including antiques of the Victorian and Edwardian as well as early puzzles, games, rebuses, coin-operated machines and more.

Stephen Sondheim's Connecticut Home Sells for $3.25 Million
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2024


The home of late Broadway icon Stephen Sondheim, which BroadwayWorld previously reported was for sale, has sold for $3.25 million. Learn more!

Over 200 Lots of Stephen Sondheim Memorabilia to be Auctioned Off in June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 11, 2024


 Doyle will be auctioning the Collection of Stephen Sondheim on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 10am. Learn more about the auction and about Stephen Sondheim.

Bernadette Peters & Lea Salonga Will Lead STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS in LA and on Broadway
by Joshua Wright - Apr 8, 2024


Center Theatre Group (CTG) announced the North American premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, and directed by Sir Matthew Bourne, playing at the Ahmanson Theatre from February 8—March 9, 2025. 

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 22, 2024
by - Mar 22, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 22, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan Townhouse Sells To Fan For $7M
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 30, 2023


Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan home has been sold to a Sondheim fan!

Stephen Sondheim's Connecticut Home Now For Sale
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 9, 2023


The Connecticut home of the legendary Stephen Sondheim is now for sale. See details about the home of the late Broadway icon.

Bringing Together a Shakespeare Classic and Songs by Cole Porter KISS ME, KATE! Opens in Sao Paulo
by Claudio Erlichman - Aug 16, 2023


Kiss Me, Kate! is a musical written by Bella and Samuel Spewack ,with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The story involves the production of a musical version of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and the conflict on and off-stage between Fred Graham, the show's director, producer, and star, and his leading lady, his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi.

Photos/Video: Go Inside Stephen Sondheim's $7M Manhattan Townhouse
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 11, 2023


Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan home is now for sale. The 7 bedroom, 3 bath townhouse in East Midtown has been listed by Michael J. Franco at Compass for $7M. 

Trinity Rep Presents SWEENEY TODD
by Stephi Wild - Apr 27, 2023


Trinity Repertory Company concludes its 2022-23 Season with the award-winning musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler. Directed by Curt Columbus, Sweeney Todd runs at Trinity Rep in the Dowling Theater from May 25 through June 25, 2023.

Merle Dandridge, Michael Hayden, Jodi Long & More to Star in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Pasadena Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 2, 2023


Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast for the 50th anniversary production of A Little Night Music. See who is starring, and how to purchase tickets!

Graham Phillips & Krystina Alabado to Star in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at Pasadena Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 12, 2023


Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast for Sunday in the Park with George, the first production of the theater’s six-month-long celebration of Stephen Sondheim. See performances dates and how to purchase tickets!

Alexandra Billings & Jane Kaczmarek to be Featured in INTO THE WOODS Presented by Pasadena Playhouse & P.U.S.D.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 6, 2023


In a landmark partnership, Pasadena Playhouse has been collaborating with all of the high schools of Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) over the past 6 months to realize the students’ vision of Into the Woods.

Larry Owens' SONDHEIMIA, Bernadette Peters & More Announced for Pasadena Playhouse's Sondheim Celebration
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 15, 2022


Pasadena Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman announced the latest news for the theater’s upcoming six-month-long celebration of the works and impact of Stephen Sondheim January 26 through June 11, 2023. 

San Francisco Playhouse Announces Cast For FOLLIES Opening June 30
by A.A. Cristi - May 19, 2022


San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for Follies by James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim. The musical will run on the San Francisco Playhouse Mainstage from June 30 through September 10, 2022. Bill English will direct, with music direction by Dave Dobrusky and choreography by Nicole Helfer. This marks the first fully staged professional production of Follies in San Francisco.

Pasadena Playhouse Announces 2022/2023 Season Featuring Six-Month Sondheim Celebration
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2022


Pasadena Playhouse has announced the 2022/2023 Season featuring a six-month-long celebration of the works and impact of Stephen Sondheim.  The State Theater of California’s Sondheim Celebration will begin in January 2023 and extend into June.  Find out what shows are included and the full schedule.

Natascia Diaz, Ryan Drummond & More to Star in FOLLIES at San Francisco Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 18, 2022


San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for Follies by James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim. The musical will run on the San Francisco Playhouse Mainstage from June 30 through September 10, 2022.

Porchlight Announces Cast of CHICAGO SINGS STEPHEN SONDHEIM, May 23
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 14, 2022


Porchlight Music Theatre has announced the current roster of music theatre and cabaret talent performing in this year’s annual Chicago Sings fundraising concert, Chicago Sings Stephen Sondheim, Monday, May 23, at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

VIDEO: Cynthia Erivo, Rachel Zegler, Ben Platt & Leslie Odom Jr. Sing Sondheim For the GRAMMYs In Memoriam
by Michael Major - Apr 4, 2022


Cynthia Erivo, Rachel Zegler, Ben Platt, and Leslie Odom Jr. took to the stage at the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards to sing the music of Stephen Sondheim for the In Memoriam. The medley performance included 'Not a Day Goes By,' 'Send in the Clowns,' and 'Somewhere.' Watch the complete performance now!

Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler Will Honor Stephen Sondheim at the Grammys
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2022


A special tribute to Stephen Sondheim will take place during this year's Grammy Awards, Variety reports. Sung by Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler, the performance will be part of the show's traditional In Memoriam segment, which honors those we have lost in the past year.

VIDEO: Remembering Stephen Sondheim and Celebrating Andrew Lloyd Webber on Their Shared Birthday
by Stephi Wild - Mar 22, 2022


Today, BroadwayWorld is remembering Stephen Sondheim, and celebrating Andrew Lloyd Webber, both of whom share March 22nd as their birthday!

Rosalie Craig, Julian Ovenden, and More Join Sondheim at OLD FRIENDS Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 17, 2022


This May 3, stars of the West End will gather to salute the legacy of the legendary Stephen Sondheim at a gala performance titled, Old Friends.

Bernadette Peters, Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, and More to Celebrate Stephen Sondheim at OLD FRIENDS Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 3, 2022


This May 3, stars of the West End will gather to salute the legacy of the legendary Stephen Sondheim at a gala performance titled, Old Friends.

VIDEO: JEOPARDY Features 'Remembering Stephen Sondheim' Category
by Stephi Wild - Mar 2, 2022


Last night's episode of Jeopardy featured a category called 'Remembering Stephen Sondheim', featuring clues about some of the legendary composer's most notable work.

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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