A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
The curtains part to reveal the set as our narrator introduces the characters and the location for the play: the street in Rome on which sit, in a row, the houses of Erronius, Senex and Lycus. Scenic design by Erik D Diaz (www.designbydiaz.com), who is also Production Manager for TriArts.
A brief synopsis —
One of the longer titles on Broadway, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” has a meaty plot to match, so pay close attention! This is a farce, evident from the moment Pseudolus, joined by the rest of the cast, open the show with “Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight”. Pseudolus, a slave in the house of Senex, will do practically anything to gain his freedom. Senex’s son, Hero (what else?), is just discovering girls and falls in love with Philia, the beautiful but low-witted girl next door. The problem is, the girl next door is a courtesan owned by Marcus Lycus. Hero promises Pseudolus his freedom if he arranges a meeting between Philia and him. Second catch: Roman soldier extraordinare, Miles Gloriosus, is on his way to retrieve Philia, who he has purchased as a “mail order bride”. Senex and his domineering wife, the appropriately named Domina, leave town with strict orders for Pseudolus to guard and protect their beloved son. When the randy Senex returns unexpectedly, Philia mistakes him for her betrothed Roman Soldier. Phew, and we’re not even to the end of Act One! Throw in three Proteans, who play a variety of characters, with bits of pantomime and clowning during the musical interludes, Erronius, an old man searching abroad for his son and daughter stolen by pirates, and stir it up with a nervous wreck of a slave, Hysterium, and you have all the ingredients for a fast-paced, witty and irreverent comedy—one of the funniest musicals ever written! With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart (one of the main forces behind the creation of the TV series MASH), it’s no surprise the show was a huge hit!
TriArts invites you to a…
Cocktail Party & Sneak Preview
to benefit TriArts Sharon Playhouse
Join us for highlights from A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, High School Musical 2 and The Music Man. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and this one of a kind 45-minute revue at the Sharon Playhouse.
Saturday, June 20th from
4:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Curtain rises at 5:00 PM
After the Cocktail Party, you can choose to enjoy dinner at one of several spectacular homes! Dinners start at 7:30 pm.
Please call 860-364-7469 (SHOW) X. 100 for more details and to reserve your
place! Reservations are filling up quickly!
Memorable quote
Kate Mostel addressing her husband Zero Mostel’s initial reluctance to take the role of Pseudolus: “If you don’t take this part, I’ll stab you in the balls. It’s our first chance at security and you’re blowing it.”
Family Friday on Friday June 19!
Tickets still available, only $20 for parents and $10 for children. Call the Box Office Now!
Purchase Your Tickets Today
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
When
June 18, 25, July 2 @ 7:00PM
June 19, 20, 26, 27, July 3 @ 8:00PM
June 21, 28, July 4 @ 5:00PM
June 24, 27, July 1 @ 2:00PM
TriArts is grateful to our sponsors of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”: Best and Cavallaro Real Estate, The White Hart Inn and WKZE, 98.1 FM
