Broadway Musical Home - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

The first musical Sondheim wrote both music and lyrics for, inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus.

Story:

Pseudolus, the laziest slave in Rome, has but one wish - to purchase his freedom. When he finds out that the young master has fallen in love with a virgin in the house of Lycus, he concocts a deal whereby he will be freed if he can procure the girl for Hero.

: Composer and Lyricist
Stephen Sondheim

: Librettist
Larry Gelbart

: Librettist
Burt Shevelove

Broadway Premiere

Theatre: Alvin Theatre, Mark Hellinger Theatre, Majestic Theatre

Opening Night: May 8, 1962

Total Performances: 964

Original Cast: Zero Mostel, David Burns, John Carradine, Brian Davies, Jack Gilford, Ron Holgate, Ruth Kobart, Preshy Marker, Raymond Walburn, Judy Alexander, Lucienne Bridou, David Evans, Lisa James, Roberta Keith, Gloria Kristy, Eddie Phillips, George Reeder, Myrna White

Director: Jerry Zaks

Choreographer: Rob Marshall

Producer: Harold Prince

Musical Director: Harold Hastings

Orchestrations: Irwin Kostal and Sid Ramin

Scenic Design: Tony Walton

Costume Design: Tony Walton

Lighting Design: Jean Rosenthal

1972 Broadway Revival

Theatre: Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

Opening Night: Mar 30, 1972

Total Performances: 156

Original Cast: Phil Silvers, Carl Ballantine, Larry Blyden, Pamela Hall, John Hansen, Carl Lindstrom, Lew Parker, Lizabeth Pritchett

Director: Burt Shevelove

Choreographer: Ralph Beaumont

Musical Director: Milton Rosenstock

Orchestrations: Irwin Kostal and Sid Ramin

Scenic Design: James Trittipo

Costume Design: Noel Taylor

Lighting Design: H. R. Poindexter

1996 Broadway Revival

Theatre: St. James Theatre

Opening Night: Apr 18, 1996

Total Performances: 715

Original Cast: Nathan Lane, Jessica Boevers, William Duell, Cris Groenendaal, Mark Linn-Baker, Ernie Sabella, Lewis J. Stadlen, Jim Stanek, Mary Testa

Director: Jerry Zaks

Choreographer: Rob Marshall

Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick

Scenic Design: Tony Walton

Costume Design: Tony Walton

Lighting Design: Paul Gallo

1966 Film Version

Movie Name: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Type: Hollywood Musical

Director: Richard Lester

Screenplay: Melvin Frank, Michael Pertwee

Starring: Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Buster Keaton, Michael Crawford, Jack Gilford, Annette Andre, Michael Hordern

Musical Numbers

Comedy Tonight

Love, I Hear

Free

The House of Marcus Lycus

Lovely

Pretty Little Picture

Everybody Ought To Have a Maid

I'm Calm

Echo Song

Impossible

Bring Me My Bride

That Dirty Old Man

That'll Show Him

There's Something About a War

Click on a song name to listen/purchase it on

CDs

: Original Broadway Cast Album

: Broadway Revival Cast Album

Sheetmusic

: Vocal Selections

Videos

: Original Hollywood Version DVD

: Original Hollywood Version Blu-Ray

Other

1963 Tony Award Nominations

Best Musical
Best Author of a Musical
Best Actor in a Musical - Zero Mostel
Best Featured Actor in a Musical - David Burns
Best Direction of a Musical
Best Producer of a Musical
Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Jack Gilford
Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Ruth Kobart