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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
by Stephen Sondheim, Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart
About the Musical
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.
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
CDs
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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
1972 Tony Award Nominations
Best Actor in a Musical - Phil Silvers
Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Larry Blyden
Best Direction of a Musical
1996 Tony Award Nominations
Best Actor in a Musical - Nathan Lane
Best Revival of a Musical
Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Lewis J. Stadlen
Best Direction of a Musical
1996 Drama Desk Award Nominations
Outstanding Actor in a Musical - Nathan Lane
Outstanding Musical Revival
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