Inspired by the comic farces of ancient Roman playwright Plautus, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics written by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart.

It tells the story of slave Pseudolus, as he attempts to win his freedom by helping his master to woo the girl next door. It displays classic elements of farce (slamming of doors, mistaken identity involving characters disguising themselves as one another), puns and satire on social class.

The musicals title derives from a famous line used by vaudeville comedians to begin a story: “A funny thing happened on the way to the theatre”.

Its original Broadway run in 1962 won several Tony awards and it has since enjoyed several revivals on both Broadway and in the West End.

Opening on 8 May 1962 at the Alvin Theatre, it then transferred to the Mark Hellinger Theatre and the Majestic Theatre, closing after 964 performances and 8 previews on 29 August 1964.

Phil Silvers was originally wanted for the lead role of Pseudolus, but turned it down because he would have to perform on stage without his glasses. His vision was so bad that he was worried that he would trip into the orchestra pit.

The original costumes, designed by Tony Walton, are on display at the Costume World Broadway Collection in Pompano Beach in Florida.

Directed by George Abbott and produced by Hal Prince, the original cast included Zero Mostel as Prologus/Pseudolus, Brian Davies as Hero, Preshy Marker as Philia, Jack Gilford as Hysterium, David Burns as Senex, Ruth Kobart as Domina, John Carradine as Marcus Lycus, Ronald Holgate as Miles Gloriosus and Raymond Walburn as Erronius.

A 1996 revival on Broadway saw Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg and David Alan Grier all playing the role of Pseudolus.

The most famous song from the show is ‘Comedy Tonight’.

The show enjoyed a run in London’s West End in 1963 at the Strand Theatre and starred Frankie Howard as Pseudolus, Isla Blair as Philia, Leon Greene as Miles Gloriosus, Linda Gray as Domina, Kenneth Connor as Hysterium, Eddie Gray as Senex and Jon Pertwee as Marcus Lycus.

A film adaptation of the musical was released in 1966, directed by Richard Lester and included Phil Silvers, Michael Crawford, Roy Kinnear, Michael Hordern and Buster Keaton.   

FACTS:

Music: Stephen Sondheim

Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim

Book: Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart

Theatre: Alvin Theatre, Mark Hellinger Theatre and Majestic Theatre, Broadway

Run:  8 May 1962 - 29 August 1964

TONYS:

(1963) WON: Best Musical, Best Producer of a Musical (Harold Prince), Best Author (Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart), Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Zero Mostel), Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (David Burns), Best Direction of a Musical (George Abbott).

NOMINATED: Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Jack Gilford), Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Ruth Kobart).

(1972) WON: Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Phil Silvers), Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Larry Blyden).

NOMINATED: Best Direction of a Musical (Burt Shevelove).

(1996) WON: Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Nathan Lane).

NOMINATED: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Lewis J. Stadlen), Best Direction of a Musical (Jerry Zaks).

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966) – Comedy Tonight Scene: