A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Miles Gloriosus Braggort Male
| A Funny Matter 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 End 1966 film 1972 Broadway 1986 West End 1996 Broadway 2004 Royal National Theatre 2009 Hong Kong 2009 Stratford Shakespeare Festival 2012 Melbourne |
| Awards | Tony Award for Best Musical Tony Award for All-time Author (Musical) |
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics past 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 earthy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. The plot displays many classic elements of farce, including puns, the slamming of doors, cases of mistaken identity (frequently involving characters disguising themselves equally ane another), and satirical comments on social grade. The title derives from a line oft 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 All-time Musical and All-time Author (Musical). A Funny Thing has enjoyed several Broadway and West Stop revivals and was fabricated into a successful film starring the original lead of the stage musical, Zip Mostel.
Productions [edit]
Original Broadway [edit]
A Funny Thing Happened on the Manner to the Forum opened on Broadway on May viii, 1962, at the Alvin Theatre, and and so transferred to the Marking Hellinger Theatre and the Majestic Theatre, where the show closed on August 29, 1964, afterward 964 performances and 8 previews.
The show's creators originally wanted Phil Silvers in the lead role of Pseudolus, merely he turned them down, allegedly because he would have to perform onstage without his glasses, and his vision was and then poor that he feared tripping into the orchestra pit. He is besides quoted as turning down the role for being "Sgt. Bilko in a toga". (Silvers eventually played the part — wearing his spectacles — in a 1972 revival. In the picture, he played Marcus Lycus.) Milton Berle too passed on the role. Somewhen, Zero Mostel was bandage.[1]
During the out of town pre-Broadway tryouts the show was attracting lilliputian business organization and not playing well. Jerome Robbins was called in to give advice and make changes. The biggest modify Robbins made was a new opening number to replace "Dearest Is in the Air" and introduce the show as a bawdy, wild comedy. Stephen Sondheim wrote the vocal "Comedy This evening" for this new opening.[1] From that point on, the show was a success.
Information technology was directed past George Abbott and produced by Hal Prince, with choreography past Jack Cole and uncredited staging and choreography by Robbins. The breathtaking 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'due south friend and fellow blacklist member), David Burns, John Carradine, Ruth Kobart, and Raymond Walburn. The young lovers were played past Brian Davies and Preshy Marker. Karen Blackness, originally cast as the ingenue, was replaced out of town.
The prove won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical, All-time Actor (Mostel), All-time Supporting Thespian (Burns), Best Book, and Best Manager. The score, Sondheim's get-go Broadway production for which he wrote both music and lyrics, did non earn a nomination.
London [edit]
The testify was presented twice in London'due south West Stop. The 1963 production and its 1986 revival were staged at the Strand Theatre and the Piccadilly Theatre respectively,[ii] [3] and starred Frankie Howerd every bit Pseudolus and Leon Greene as Miles Gloriosus in both. In the 1963 production, Kenneth Connor appeared as Hysterium, 'Monsewer' Eddie Grey as Senex and Jon Pertwee every bit Marcus Lycus. In the 1986 revival, Patrick Cargill was Senex with Ronnie Stevens equally Hysterium and Derek Royle every bit Erronius.
In 2004 at that place was a limited-run revival at the Royal National Theatre, starring Desmond Barrit as Pseudolus, Philip Quast equally Miles Gloriosus, Hamish McColl as Hysterium and Isla Blair as Domina (who had previously played Philia in the 1963 production).[iv] This production was nominated for the 2005 Olivier Laurels, Outstanding Musical Production.[v]
Movement film adaptation [edit]
Both Mostel and Gilford re-created their Broadway roles for the 1966 musical picture directed past Richard Lester. Leon Greene reprised his West End part (Miles Gloriosus), while Phil Silvers portrayed Lycus, Michael Crawford portrayed Hero, and Michael Hordern played Senex. Buster Keaton made his terminal film advent 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 after 156 performances. Directed by co-writer Burt Shevelove the cast starred Phil Silvers as Pseudolus (later on replaced by Tom Poston), Lew Parker every bit Senex, Carl Ballantine as Lycus and Reginald Owen as Erronius. Larry Blyden, who played Hysterium, the role created by Jack Gilford, also co-produced.[6] "Pretty Little Picture" and "That'll Show Him" were dropped from the show, and were replaced with "Echo Song" (sung by Hero and Philia), and "Adieu" (added for Nancy Walker as Domina, every bit she and Senex depart for the state). "Echo Song" and "Cheerio" had been added to a production staged in Los Angeles the previous year and were composed by Sondheim. They had to shut shortly afterward Phil Silvers suffered a stroke. The show won two Tony Awards, Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Silvers, and Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Blyden.[6]
The musical was revived again with great success in 1996, opening at the St. James Theatre on Apr 18, 1996 and closing on January 4, 1998 afterward 715 performances. The cast starred Nathan Lane equally Pseudolus (replaced by Whoopi Goldberg and later by David Alan Grier), Mark Linn-Baker as Hysterium, Ernie Sabella as Lycus, Jim Stanek as Hero, Lewis J. Stadlen as Senex, and Cris Groenendaal as Miles Gloriosus. The production was directed by Jerry Zaks, with choreography past Rob Marshall. Lane won the 1996 Tony Accolade for Best Leading Thespian and the Drama Desk Honour, Outstanding Role player in a Musical; the production was nominated for the 1996 Tony Laurels and Drama Desk Award, Revival of a Musical.[7]
Every role player who has opened in the part of Pseudolus on Broadway (Nil Mostel, Phil Silvers, and Nathan Lane) has won a Best Leading Actor Tony Honor for his performance. In improver, Jason Alexander, who performed every bit Pseudolus in i scene in Jerome Robbins' Broadway, also won a Tony for Best Thespian in a Musical.
Other productions [edit]
The original Australian production with American actor Jack Collins as Pseudolus opened at the Theatre Majestic in Sydney in July 1964, and toured other Australian cities through 1965.[8]
In 1998, Jon English starred as Pseudolus in Essgee Entertainment'southward production that opened New year's day at the State Theatre, Melbourne and toured Australia and New Zealand, closing September 1999.[9]
The Stephen Sondheim Eye for the Performing Arts produced a limited-run revival of the musical from January 11 to 27, 2008. The production was directed by Randal K. West, with Justin Colina as musical manager and Adam Cates every bit choreographer. The bandage featured Richard Kind every bit Pseudolus, Joel Blum every bit Senex, Stephen DeRosa as Marcus Lycus, Sean McCall as Hysterium, and Steve Wilson every bit Miles Gloriosus. It as well featured Diana Upton-Colina, Ryan Gaffney, Stephen Mark Crisp, 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 gloat the company's 30th anniversary. Information technology was directed by Chung King Fai and Ko Tin Lung and ran from fourteen to 21 March 2009.[13]
The Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario, Canada production ran from June xi to November seven, 2009, with Des McAnuff directing and Wayne Cilento every bit choreographer.[14] Bruce Dow originally performed the part of Pseudolus, but was forced to withdraw from the entire 2009 season due to an injury, and the office was so performed by Seán Cullen every bit of September 5, 2009.[15] Stephen Ouimette played Hysterium. Mirvish Productions presented the earlier Stratford product at the Canon Theatre, Toronto, in December 2010 through January 2011. Bruce Dow and Sean Cullen were alternates in the lead role.[sixteen]
In October 2012 the play opened at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, Commonwealth of australia, with Geoffrey Rush as Pseudolus, Magda Szubanski as Domina and Shane Bourne as Senex.[17]
A Funny Thing Happened on the Style to the Forum was produced at the Two River Theater in Red Bank, New Jersey from November fourteen, 2015 to December xiii, 2015 with an all-male bandage (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 bandage album
In ancient Rome, some neighbors live in 3 adjacent houses. In the heart is the business firm of Senex, who lives there with wife Domina, son Hero, and several slaves, including head slave Hysterium and the musical's 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 heir-apparent and seller of beautiful women; the other belongs to the aboriginal Erronius, who is abroad searching for his long-lost children (stolen in infancy by pirates).
One day, Senex and Domina become on a trip and leave Pseudolus in charge of Hero. Hero confides in Pseudolus that he is in love with the lovely Philia, one of the courtesans in the House of Lycus (albeit all the same a virgin). Pseudolus promises to help him win Philia'southward love in exchange for his own freedom. Unfortunately (as the two detect 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 soon. Pseudolus, an excellent liar, uses Philia's cheery disposition to convince Lycus that she has picked upward a plague from Crete, which causes its victims to smile incessantly in its terminal stages. By offer to isolate her in Senex's business firm, he is able to give Philia and Hero some time alone together, and the two fall in love. But Philia insists that, even though she is in love with Hero, she must award her contract with the Captain, for "that is the way of a courtesan." To appease her, he tells her to wait ("that's what virgins do best, isn't information technology?") inside, and that he will have the helm knock three times when he arrives. Pseudolus comes up with a plan to slip Philia a sleeping potion that volition return her unconscious. He volition and so tell Lycus that she has died of the Cretan plague, and will offer to remove the torso. Hero will come along, and they will stow abroad on a send headed for Greece. Satisfied with his programme, Pseudolus steals Hysterium's book of potions and has Hero read him the recipe for the sleeping potion; the but ingredient he lacks is "mare'due south sweat", and Pseudolus goes off in search of some.
Unexpectedly, Senex returns dwelling house early from his trip, and knocks three times on his own door. Philia comes out of the firm, and, thinking that Senex is the Captain, offers herself upwards to him. Surprised just game, Senex instructs Philia to wait in the house for him, and she does. Hysterium arrives to this defoliation, 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 allurement, Senex instructs Hysterium to describe him a bath in the long-abandoned house of Erronius. Only while this is happening, Erronius returns dwelling, finally having given upward the search for his long-lost children. Hysterium, desperate to keep him out of the business firm where his chief is bathing, tells the former man that his business firm has go haunted – a story seemingly confirmed by the sound of Senex singing in his bath. Erronius immediately determines to take a soothsayer come and banish the spirit from his firm, and Pseudolus obligingly poses as one, telling Erronius that, in order to banish the spirit, he must travel vii times around the seven hills of Rome (thus keeping the old 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's house; told that she has "escaped", Lycus is terrified to face the Captain'southward wrath. Pseudolus offers to impersonate Lycus and talk his fashion out of the mess just, his ingenuity flagging, he ends upwards only 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'due south 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'south) to effort to catch Senex being unfaithful. Pseudolus convinces Hysterium to help 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 there is of class 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 iii "Philia"south (Domina, Hysterium, and the bodily Philia – all wearing identical white robes and veils). Meanwhile, the courtesans from the firm of Marcus Lycus – who had been recruited equally mourners at "Philia"'due south 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 upwards. His plot thoroughly unraveled, Pseudolus appears to be in deep trouble – just Erronius, completing his third excursion 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's betrothal to the Captain is nullified by the unexpected revelation that he'south her brother, and, as 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 supersede 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 by Hero, who seeks to win freedom past helping Hero win the middle of Philia. The slave name Pseudolus ways "Faker". While originally written as a male person function, it has been performed past female person actors as well.
- Hero: Young son of Senex who falls in love 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 word "Filia", which means girl. This foreshadows her condition as the girl of Erronius.
- Hysterium: (Latin for "Hysterical", or "Broken-hearted", the suffix "-um" makes the name neuter, and the character's gender is oftentimes mistaken throughout the slice) The principal slave in the house of Senex.
- Senex: (Latin for "old human") A henpecked, sardonic Roman senator living in a less fashionable suburb of Rome.
- Domina: (Latin for "mistress") The wife of Senex. A manipulative, shrewish woman who is loathed by fifty-fifty her hubby.
- Marcus Lycus: A purveyor of courtesans, who operates from the firm to the left of Senex. (Name based on Lycus, the pimp in Plautus'south Poenulus.)
- Miles Gloriosus: (Latin for "boastful soldier", the archetype of the braggart soldier in Roman comedies) A captain in the Roman regular army to whom Marcus Lycus has promised Philia.
- Erronius: (Latin for "wandering") Senex'southward elderly neighbour in the house to the correct. He has spent the by twenty years searching for his 2 children, kidnapped in infancy past pirates.
- Gymnasia: (Greek for "Able-bodied", with the connotation of nakedness) A courtesan from the house of Lycus with whom Pseudolus falls in honey.
- Tintinabula: (Latin for "Bells") A jingling, bell-wearing courtesan in the house of Lycus.
- Vibrata: (Latin for "Vibrant") A wild, vibrant courtesan in the house of Lycus.
- Geminae: (Latin for "Twins") Twin courtesans in the business firm of Lycus.
- Panacea: (Greek for "Cure All") A courtesan in the firm of Lycus.
- Proteans: Choristers who play multiple roles (slaves, citizens, soldiers, and eunuchs). They back-trail Pseudolus in "One-act Tonight". On Broadway, 3 people played all of these roles.
Cast [edit]
| Role | Original Broadway | Original London | 1966 film | 1972 Broadway Revival | 1996 Broadway Revival | 2004 London Revival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prologus/Pseudolus | Aught Mostel | Frankie Howerd | Cypher 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 | Mark Linn-Baker | Hamish McColl |
| Senex | David Burns | Eddie Gray | Michael Hordern | Lew Parker | Lewis J. Stadlen | Sam Kelly |
| Domina | Ruth Kobart | Linda Grey | 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
| Deed II
|
Cut Songs: [twenty]
- "Beloved Is in the Air" – Prologus (Played by Senex) and Proteans (Originally intended every bit the opening number, replaced with "One-act Tonight".[21] The song was after featured in the moving-picture show 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 Practice Like Y'all" – Pseudolus and Hysterium
- "In that location'due south Something Near a War" – Miles Gloriosus
- "Echo Song" – Philia
- "Your Optics Are Bluish" – Hero
- "The Gaggle of Geese" – Erronius
- "What Practice You Do With a Woman?" – Hero
Notes:
"Pretty Little Moving-picture show" is oft dropped from productions of the prove, and ane poesy of "I'm At-home" is also ofttimes trimmed. A song for Domina entitled "Farewell" was added for the 1972 Revival as she and Senex depart for the state. "Repeat Vocal" was reinstated in the same revival.
Awards and honors [edit]
Original Broadway production [edit]
| Yr | Award ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Outer Critics Circle Award | Special Honor | George Abbott | Won |
| 1963 | Tony Laurels | Best Musical | Won | |
| All-time Producer of a Musical | Harold Prince | Won | ||
| Best Author | Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart | Won | ||
| Best Operation by a Leading Actor in a Musical | Null Mostel | Won | ||
| All-time Performance by a Featured Histrion in a Musical | David Burns | Won | ||
| Jack Gilford | Nominated | |||
| Best Performance past a Featured Actress in a Musical | Ruth Kobart | Nominated | ||
| Best Management of a Musical | George Abbott | Won | ||
1972 Broadway revival [edit]
| Year | Honor | Category | Nominee | Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Tony Award | Best Functioning past a Leading Actor in a Musical | Phil Silvers | Won |
| Best Performance by a Featured Player in a Musical | Larry Blyden | Won | ||
| Best Management of a Musical | Burt Shevelove | Nominated |
1996 Broadway revival [edit]
| Year | Honor | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Tony Award | All-time Revival of a Musical | Nominated | |
| All-time Operation by a Leading Actor in a Musical | Nathan Lane | Won | ||
| Best Performance past a Featured Actor in a Musical | Lewis J. Stadlen | Nominated | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Jerry Zaks | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Laurels | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Role player in a Musical | Nathan Lane | Won | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Honor | Outstanding Histrion in a Musical | Nathan Lane | Won | |
| Outstanding Manager of a Musical | Jerry Zaks | Won | ||
| Drama League Award | Distinguished Production of a Revival | Nominated | ||
.
References [edit]
Notes
- ^ a b Green, Stanley and Green, Kay."A Funny Affair Happened on the Way To the Forum" Broadway Musicals, Show By Prove (1996), Hal Leonard Corporation, ISBN 0-7935-7750-0, p. 198
- ^ "Listing, 1963 production" Guidetomusicaltheatre.com, retrieved December 9, 2009
- ^ "Listing, 1986 production" Thisistheatre.com, retrieved December 9, 2009
- ^ Inverne, James. "Thoroughly Modern Millie Closes in London as New Musicals Prepare to Open up". Playbill, June 7, 2004, accessed December 25, 2016
- ^ "Olivier Winners, 2005". olivierawards.com, accessed Dec 27, 2016
- ^ a b " 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' 1972" sondheimguide.com, accessed December 25, 2016
- ^ " 'A Funny Matter Happened on the Way to the Forum' Broadway 1996",. Playbill (vault), accessed December 26, 2016
- ^ "AusStage - A Funny Thing 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 Car
- ^ Lipton, Brian Scott."Richard Kind to Star in Fairfield Centre'south 'Forum'" Theatermania.com, January iv, 2008
- ^ Gans, Andrew."Tragedy Tomorrow, One-act This evening: 'Forum' Begins Run at Sondheim Center" Archived December 11, 2008, at the Wayback Motorcar Playbill.com, January 11, 2008
- ^ "Funny Thing" chungying.com Archived June 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ (no author)."Stratford Product History" Stratfordfestival.ca, accessed August 16, 2011
- ^ Bacalzo, Dan."Sean Cullen to Supersede Injured Bruce Dow in Stratford 'Forum' " Theatermania.com, August 17, 2009
- ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly."Theatre Review. 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Mode to the Forum' still brings the funny, simply not as much" The Globe and Postal service, December xx, 2010
- ^ "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Archived October 28, 2012, at the Wayback Auto, Australian website
- ^ Kennedy, Marina. "BWW Review: 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' at TRT-Musical Comedy at its Very Best" broadwayworld.com, Nov 24, 2015
- ^ "A Funny Matter Happened on the Way to the Forum – Broadway Musical – 1972 Revival | IBDB".
- ^ Gelbart, Larry (1990). A Funny Thing Happened on the Fashion to the Forum: Introduction. Applause. pp. 1–x. ISBN1557830649.
- ^ (no author)."Cutting songs, 'A Funny Thing Happened'" Sondheim.com, accessed August 16, 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 Affair Happened on the Mode to the Forum at the Cyberspace Broadway Database
- ''A Funny Affair Happened on the Manner 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 Way 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
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