A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
At the breakneck speed of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Rome could have been built in a day
Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, based on the plays of Plautus. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
September 1 – October 11
We’ve wrapped up a season of six musical theatre gifts for 2009, added a funny bone side splitter, and kept the biggest surprise of our 23 years for Christmas!
In ancient Rome, Pseudolus, a lying, cheating, dishonorable slave, endlessly connives to obtain his freedom, despite the fact that his master, Senex, is tolerant of his sloppy and insubordinate conduct. When Pseudolus learns that young Hero, son of Senex, loves one of the slave girls from a house of ill repute operated by Lycus, he agrees, in exchange for his freedom, to help the somewhat stupid Hero win the maiden's love. But this girl, Philia, has already been sold to a roguish soldier, Miles Gloriosus. Pseudolus blackmails a timorous fellow slave, Hysterium, into assisting him by donning a wig and gown and impersonating the corpse of Philia, who Pseudolus claims has died of the plague. Philia, who is alive, is mistaken by Senex for his new servant, while she believes him to be her purchaser. Pseudolus, however, prevents the two from ever getting together, and when Philia's real suitor arrives, she despairs and decides to sacrifice herself at the temple.
Confusion leads to pandemonium and eventually mayhem culminating in a wild chariot chase. When it is all over, Erronius, an old man who has spent years searching for his two children stolen by pirates, discovers that they are none other than Philia and Gloriosus. Hero wins Philia, and Pseudolus gains both his freedom and a buxom courtesan. The madcap caper is accompanied by "Comedy Tonight”, " "Lovely", "Everybody Ought To Have a Maid", and "Bring Me My Bride".
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