Funny Thing Happened Forum Lovely Lyrics
| A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum | |
|---|---|
 Playbill from the original Broadway product | |
| Music | Stephen Sondheim |
| Lyrics | Stephen Sondheim |
| Book | Burt Shevelove Larry Gelbart |
| Productions | 1962 Broadway 1963 West Cease 1966 flick 1972 Broadway 1986 West Cease 1996 Broadway 2004 Royal National Theatre 2009 Hong Kong 2009 Stratford Shakespeare Festival 2012 Melbourne |
| Awards | Tony Laurels for Best Musical Tony Honor for All-time Writer (Musical) |
A Funny Matter Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart.
Inspired past 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 past helping his young master woo the girl side by side door. The plot displays many classic elements of farce, including puns, the slamming of doors, cases of mistaken identity (oftentimes involving characters disguising themselves as one another), and satirical comments on social class. The championship derives from a line oftentimes used by vaudeville comedians to begin a story: "A funny affair happened on the manner to the theater".
The musical'south original 1962 Broadway run won several Tony Awards, including All-time Musical and Best Writer (Musical). A Funny Thing has enjoyed several Broadway and West Cease revivals and was made into a successful picture show starring the original atomic number 82 of the stage musical, Zero Mostel.
Productions [edit]
Original Broadway [edit]
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opened on Broadway on May 8, 1962, at the Alvin Theatre, and and then transferred to the Marker Hellinger Theatre and the Majestic Theatre, where the show closed on August 29, 1964, after 964 performances and 8 previews.
The show'due south creators originally wanted Phil Silvers in the lead role of Pseudolus, but he turned them down, allegedly considering he would have to perform onstage without his glasses, and his vision was and so poor that he feared tripping into the orchestra pit. He is also quoted as turning downwardly the role for beingness "Sgt. Bilko in a toga". (Silvers eventually played the part — wearing his glasses — in a 1972 revival. In the film, he played Marcus Lycus.) Milton Berle also passed on the role. Eventually, Nix Mostel was cast.[1]
During the out of boondocks pre-Broadway tryouts the show was attracting little business and not playing well. Jerome Robbins was called in to requite advice and brand changes. The biggest change Robbins made was a new opening number to supervene upon "Love Is in the Air" and introduce the show as a bawdy, wild comedy. Stephen Sondheim wrote the song "Comedy This evening" for this new opening.[1] From that point on, the evidence was a success.
It was directed past George Abbott and produced by Hal Prince, with choreography past Jack Cole and uncredited staging and choreography by Robbins. The scenic and costume design was by Tony Walton. This wardrobe is on display at the Costume World Broadway Collection in Pompano Beach, Florida. The lighting design was by Jean Rosenthal. Along with Mostel, the musical featured a cast of seasoned performers, including Jack Gilford (Mostel'south friend and fellow blacklist fellow member), David Burns, John Carradine, Ruth Kobart, and Raymond Walburn. The young lovers were played by Brian Davies and Preshy Marking. Karen Black, originally cast equally the ingenue, was replaced out of boondocks.
The show won several Tony Awards, including All-time Musical, Best Actor (Mostel), Best Supporting Role player (Burns), All-time Volume, and All-time Director. The score, Sondheim'southward first Broadway production for which he wrote both music and lyrics, did non earn a nomination.
London [edit]
The show was presented twice in London'southward Westward End. The 1963 production and its 1986 revival were staged at the Strand Theatre and the Piccadilly Theatre respectively,[ii] [3] and starred Frankie Howerd as Pseudolus and Leon Greene equally Miles Gloriosus in both. In the 1963 production, Kenneth Connor appeared as Hysterium, 'Monsewer' Eddie Grayness as Senex and Jon Pertwee as Marcus Lycus. In the 1986 revival, Patrick Cargill was Senex with Ronnie Stevens every bit Hysterium and Derek Royle every bit Erronius.
In 2004 there was a express-run revival at the Royal National Theatre, starring Desmond Barrit as Pseudolus, Philip Quast every bit Miles Gloriosus, Hamish McColl every bit Hysterium and Isla Blair equally Domina (who had previously played Philia in the 1963 production).[4] This production was nominated for the 2005 Olivier Laurels, Outstanding Musical Production.[five]
Motion picture show adaptation [edit]
Both Mostel and Gilford re-created their Broadway roles for the 1966 musical film directed by Richard Lester. Leon Greene reprised his W Stop role (Miles Gloriosus), while Phil Silvers portrayed Lycus, Michael Crawford portrayed Hero, and Michael Hordern played Senex. Buster Keaton made his final film appearance in the role of Erronius.
Broadway revivals [edit]
A revival opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on April 4, 1972 and closed on August 12, 1972 afterward 156 performances. Directed by co-writer Burt Shevelove the cast starred Phil Silvers equally Pseudolus (later replaced by Tom Poston), Lew Parker as Senex, Carl Ballantine every bit Lycus and Reginald Owen every bit Erronius. Larry Blyden, who played Hysterium, the role created past Jack Gilford, also co-produced.[6] "Pretty Picayune Picture" and "That'll Show Him" were dropped from the prove, and were replaced with "Echo Song" (sung by Hero and Philia), and "Good day" (added for Nancy Walker as Domina, as she and Senex depart for the state). "Echo Song" and "Goodbye" had been added to a production staged in Los Angeles the previous year and were composed by Sondheim. They had to close presently after Phil Silvers suffered a stroke. The show won two Tony Awards, All-time Leading Actor in a Musical for Silvers, and Best Featured Player in a Musical for Blyden.[6]
The musical was revived over again with bang-up success in 1996, opening at the St. James Theatre on April 18, 1996 and closing on January 4, 1998 after 715 performances. The cast starred Nathan Lane as Pseudolus (replaced past Whoopi Goldberg and later by David Alan Grier), Mark Linn-Baker equally Hysterium, Ernie Sabella as Lycus, Jim Stanek as Hero, Lewis J. Stadlen every bit Senex, and Cris Groenendaal as Miles Gloriosus. The production was directed by Jerry Zaks, with choreography by Rob Marshall. Lane won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor and the Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Actor in a Musical; the production was nominated for the 1996 Tony Laurels and Drama Desk Award, Revival of a Musical.[7]
Every histrion who has opened in the role of Pseudolus on Broadway (Cypher Mostel, Phil Silvers, and Nathan Lane) has won a All-time Leading Actor Tony Honor for his performance. In addition, Jason Alexander, who performed every bit Pseudolus in one scene in Jerome Robbins' Broadway, also won a Tony for All-time Player 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 starred every bit Pseudolus in Essgee Entertainment's production that opened New Twelvemonth's Day at the Country Theatre, Melbourne and toured Australia and New Zealand, endmost September 1999.[nine]
The Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts produced a limited-run revival of the musical from January 11 to 27, 2008. The product was directed past Randal M. West, with Justin Hill as musical director and Adam Cates as choreographer. The cast featured Richard Kind as Pseudolus, Joel Blum as Senex, Stephen DeRosa as Marcus Lycus, Sean McCall every bit Hysterium, and Steve Wilson every bit Miles Gloriosus. It also featured Diana Upton-Hill, Ryan Gaffney, Stephen Marking Well-baked, Jack Kloppenborg, and Margret Clair.[10] [11] [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 King Fai and Ko Tin Lung and ran from xiv to 21 March 2009.[13]
The Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario, Canada production ran from June eleven to November 7, 2009, with Des McAnuff directing and Wayne Cilento equally choreographer.[14] Bruce Dow originally performed the role of Pseudolus, but was forced to withdraw from the unabridged 2009 flavor due to an injury, and the role was then performed by Seán Cullen as of September 5, 2009.[15] Stephen Ouimette played Hysterium. Mirvish Productions presented the earlier Stratford production at the Canon Theatre, Toronto, in Dec 2010 through Jan 2011. Bruce Dow and Sean Cullen were alternates in the lead role.[sixteen]
In October 2012 the play opened at Her Majesty'south Theatre, Melbourne, Commonwealth of australia, with Geoffrey Rush equally Pseudolus, Magda Szubanski equally Domina and Shane Bourne equally Senex.[17]
A Funny Matter Happened on the Manner to the Forum was produced at the 2 River Theater in Cerise Bank, New Jersey from November fourteen, 2015 to December 13, 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).[xviii]
Plot [edit]
Graphic from the original Broadway cast album
In aboriginal Rome, some neighbors live in three adjacent houses. In the center is the house of Senex, who lives there with wife Domina, son Hero, and several slaves, including head slave Hysterium and the musical'south main character Pseudolus. A slave belonging to Hero, Pseudolus wishes to buy, win, or steal his freedom. One of the neighboring houses is owned past Marcus Lycus, who is a buyer and seller of beautiful women; the other belongs to the aboriginal Erronius, who is away searching for his long-lost children (stolen in infancy by pirates).
One day, Senex and Domina keep a trip and leave Pseudolus in accuse of Hero. Hero confides in Pseudolus that he is in love with the lovely Philia, 1 of the courtesans in the House of Lycus (albeit nevertheless a virgin). Pseudolus promises to aid him win Philia'southward love in exchange for his own freedom. Unfortunately (every bit the two find out when they pay a visit on Lycus), Philia has been sold to the renowned warrior Miles Gloriosus, who is expected to merits her very before long. Pseudolus, an fantabulous liar, uses Philia's 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's house, he is able to give Philia and Hero some time solitary together, and the ii fall in honey. Simply Philia insists that, even though she is in beloved with Hero, she must honor her contract with the Captain, for "that is the way of a courtesan." To gratify her, he tells her to expect ("that's what virgins do best, isn't information technology?") inside, and that he will take the captain knock iii times when he arrives. Pseudolus comes up with a program to slip Philia a sleeping potion that will return her unconscious. He volition and then tell Lycus that she has died of the Cretan plague, and volition offer to remove the torso. Hero will come up forth, and they will stow away on a transport headed for Hellenic republic. Satisfied with his plan, Pseudolus steals Hysterium'south 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 3 times on his ain 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 wait in the business 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 horse-sweat onto him, so suggests that the road trip has left Senex in dire need of a bathroom. Taking the allurement, Senex instructs Hysterium to draw him a bath in the long-abandoned house of Erronius. Merely 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 old man that his house has become haunted – a story seemingly confirmed past the sound of Senex singing in his bath. Erronius immediately determines to have a soothsayer come and banish the spirit from his house, and Pseudolus obligingly poses as 1, telling Erronius that, in guild to blackball the spirit, he must travel vii times effectually the seven hills of Rome (thus keeping the former human being 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'due south business firm; told that she has "escaped", Lycus is terrified to face the Captain's wrath. Pseudolus offers to impersonate Lycus and talk his way out of the mess but, his ingenuity flagging, he ends upward just telling the Captain that Philia has disappeared, and that he, "Lycus", will search for her. Displeased and suspicious, Miles insists that his soldiers accompany 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 "upwards to something low." She disguises herself in virginal white robes and a veil (much like Philia's) to try to catch Senex beingness unfaithful. Pseudolus convinces Hysterium to assistance him by dressing in drag and pretending to be Philia, "expressionless" from the plague. Unfortunately, information technology turns out that Miles Gloriosus has just returned from Crete, where there is of grade no actual plague. With the ruse thus revealed, the main characters run for their lives, resulting in a madcap hunt across the stage with both Miles and Senex pursuing all 3 "Philia"s (Domina, Hysterium, and the actual Philia – all wearing identical white robes and veils). Meanwhile, the courtesans from the house of Marcus Lycus – who had been recruited every bit mourners at "Philia"'southward ersatz funeral – have escaped, and Lycus sends his eunuchs out to bring them all back, adding to the general pandemonium.
Finally, the Helm's troops are able to round everyone up. His plot thoroughly unraveled, Pseudolus appears to be in deep trouble – only Erronius, completing his third excursion of the Roman hills, shows up fortuitously to discover that Miles Gloriosus and Philia are wearing matching rings which marker them as his long-lost children. Philia'due south betrothal to the Captain is nullified by the unexpected revelation that he's her brother, and, every bit the girl of a free-born 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, endemic by 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 role, it has been performed by female person actors as well.
- Hero: Young son of Senex who falls in dear with the virgin, Philia.
- Philia: (Greek for "love") A virgin in the firm of Marcus Lycus, and Hero's love interest. Her name is also a homophone of the Latin discussion "Filia", which means girl. This foreshadows her status every bit the girl of Erronius.
- Hysterium: (Latin for "Hysterical", or "Anxious", the suffix "-um" makes the name neuter, and the character's gender is often mistaken throughout the piece) The principal slave in the firm of Senex.
- Senex: (Latin for "old man") A henpecked, sardonic Roman senator living in a less fashionable suburb of Rome.
- Domina: (Latin for "mistress") The married woman of Senex. A manipulative, shrewish woman who is loathed by fifty-fifty 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's Poenulus.)
- Miles Gloriosus: (Latin for "exhibitionistic soldier", the archetype of the braggart soldier in Roman comedies) A captain in the Roman army to whom Marcus Lycus has promised Philia.
- Erronius: (Latin for "wandering") Senex's elderly neighbor in the house to the right. He has spent the by xx years searching for his two children, kidnapped in infancy by pirates.
- Gymnasia: (Greek for "Able-bodied", 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 firm 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 back-trail Pseudolus in "Comedy Tonight". On Broadway, three people played all of these roles.
Cast [edit]
| Role | Original Broadway | Original London | 1966 motion-picture show | 1972 Broadway Revival | 1996 Broadway Revival | 2004 London Revival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prologus/Pseudolus | Zero Mostel | Frankie Howerd | Nix Mostel | Phil Silvers | Nathan Lane | Desmond Barrit |
| Hero | Brian Davies | John Rye | Michael Crawford | John Hansen[19] | Jim Stanek | Vince Leigh |
| Philia | Preshy Mark | Isla Blair | Annette Andre | Pamela Hall | Jessica Boevers | Caroline Sheen |
| Hysterium | Jack Gilford | Kenneth Connor | Jack Gilford | Larry Blyden | Mark Linn-Baker | Hamish McColl |
| Senex | David Burns | Eddie Gray | Michael Hordern | Lew Parker | Lewis J. Stadlen | Sam Kelly |
| Domina | Ruth Kobart | Linda Gray | 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]
| Act I
| Act II
|
Cut Songs: [20]
- "Love Is in the Air" – Prologus (Played by Senex) and Proteans (Originally intended as the opening number, replaced with "Comedy This night".[21] The song was later featured in the film The Birdcage (1996) where it was performed by 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 Exercise Like Y'all" – Pseudolus and Hysterium
- "There's Something About a State of war" – Miles Gloriosus
- "Echo Song" – Philia
- "Your Eyes Are Bluish" – Hero
- "The Gaggle of Geese" – Erronius
- "What Do You Do With a Woman?" – Hero
Notes:
"Pretty Little Picture" is frequently dropped from productions of the bear witness, and ane verse of "I'grand Calm" is also frequently trimmed. A song for Domina entitled "Farewell" was added for the 1972 Revival equally she and Senex depart for the land. "Echo Song" was reinstated in the same revival.
Awards and honors [edit]
Original Broadway product [edit]
| Twelvemonth | Accolade ceremony | Category | Nominee | Upshot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Outer Critics Circle Award | Special Honor | George Abbott | Won |
| 1963 | Tony Award | Best Musical | Won | |
| All-time Producer of a Musical | Harold Prince | Won | ||
| Best Author | Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart | Won | ||
| Best Functioning by a Leading Thespian in a Musical | Zero Mostel | Won | ||
| Best Performance past a Featured Player in a Musical | David Burns | Won | ||
| Jack Gilford | Nominated | |||
| Best Functioning by a Featured Actress in a Musical | Ruth Kobart | Nominated | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | George Abbott | Won | ||
1972 Broadway revival [edit]
| Twelvemonth | Award | Category | Nominee | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Tony Award | Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical | Phil Silvers | Won |
| Best Performance by a Featured Player in a Musical | Larry Blyden | Won | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Burt Shevelove | Nominated |
1996 Broadway revival [edit]
| Yr | Award | Category | Nominee | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Tony Award | Best Revival of a Musical | Nominated | |
| Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical | Nathan Lane | Won | ||
| Best Functioning by a Featured Role player in a Musical | Lewis J. Stadlen | Nominated | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Jerry Zaks | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Honour | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Role player in a Musical | Nathan Lane | Won | ||
| Outer Critics Circumvolve Award | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Nathan Lane | Won | |
| Outstanding Managing director of a Musical | Jerry Zaks | Won | ||
| Drama League Award | Distinguished Production of a Revival | Nominated | ||
.
References [edit]
Notes
- ^ a b Green, Stanley and Dark-green, Kay."A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To the Forum" Broadway Musicals, Show Past Bear witness (1996), Hal Leonard Corporation, ISBN 0-7935-7750-0, p. 198
- ^ "Listing, 1963 production" Guidetomusicaltheatre.com, retrieved Dec 9, 2009
- ^ "Listing, 1986 production" Thisistheatre.com, retrieved Dec ix, 2009
- ^ Inverne, James. "Thoroughly Modern Millie Closes in London as New Musicals Prepare to Open". Playbill, June 7, 2004, accessed December 25, 2016
- ^ "Olivier Winners, 2005". olivierawards.com, accessed December 27, 2016
- ^ a b " 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Mode to the Forum' 1972" sondheimguide.com, accessed December 25, 2016
- ^ " 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Fashion to the Forum' Broadway 1996",. Playbill (vault), accessed Dec 26, 2016
- ^ "AusStage - A Funny Matter Happened on the Way to the Forum". www.ausstage.edu.au . Retrieved 2017-09-21 .
- ^ "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum".
- ^ "News" gazettonline, January 14, 2008] Archived January 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Lipton, Brian Scott."Richard Kind to Star in Fairfield Eye's 'Forum'" Theatermania.com, Jan 4, 2008
- ^ Gans, Andrew."Tragedy Tomorrow, One-act This evening: 'Forum' Begins Run at Sondheim Centre" Archived December xi, 2008, at the Wayback Car Playbill.com, January eleven, 2008
- ^ "Funny Thing" chungying.com Archived June 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ (no author)."Stratford Production History" Stratfordfestival.ca, accessed Baronial 16, 2011
- ^ Bacalzo, Dan."Sean Cullen to Supplant Injured Bruce Dow in Stratford 'Forum' " Theatermania.com, August 17, 2009
- ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly."Theatre Review. 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Style to the Forum' all the same brings the funny, but not as much" The Globe and Post, December 20, 2010
- ^ "A Funny Affair Happened on the Style to the Forum Archived October 28, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Australian website
- ^ Kennedy, Marina. "BWW Review: 'A Funny Affair Happened on the Manner to the Forum' at TRT-Musical Comedy at its Very Best" broadwayworld.com, November 24, 2015
- ^ "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum – Broadway Musical – 1972 Revival | IBDB".
- ^ Gelbart, Larry (1990). A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: Introduction. Applause. pp. 1–x. ISBN1557830649.
- ^ (no writer)."Cutting songs, 'A Funny Affair Happened'" Sondheim.com, accessed August sixteen, 2011
Bibliography
- "'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' plot summary & character descriptions" from StageAgent.com
- "Plot and production information", guidetomusicaltheatre.com
External links [edit]
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Mode to the Forum at the Internet Broadway Database
- ''A Funny Matter Happened on the Way to the Forum Sondheim Guide
- "Libretto for the Broadway play". Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Mode to the Forum at the Music Theatre International website
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Funny_Thing_Happened_on_the_Way_to_the_Forum