A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Monologue
| A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum | |
|---|---|
 Playbill from the original Broadway production | |
| Music | Stephen Sondheim |
| Lyrics | Stephen Sondheim |
| Book | Burt Shevelove Larry Gelbart |
| Productions | 1962 Broadway 1963 West Cease 1966 film 1972 Broadway 1986 West End 1996 Broadway 2004 Royal National Theatre 2009 Hong Kong 2009 Stratford Shakespeare Festival 2012 Melbourne |
| Awards | Tony Award for Best Musical Tony Award for Best Author (Musical) |
A Funny Matter Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and volume by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart.
Inspired past the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus (254–184 BC), specifically Pseudolus, Miles Gloriosus, and Mostellaria, the musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his liberty by helping his immature master woo the girl next door. The plot displays many classic elements of farce, including puns, the slamming of doors, cases of mistaken identity (frequently involving characters disguising themselves as i another), and satirical comments on social grade. The title derives from a line frequently used by vaudeville comedians to begin a story: "A funny thing happened on the way to the theater".
The musical's original 1962 Broadway run won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Author (Musical). A Funny Thing has enjoyed several Broadway and West Terminate revivals and was made into a successful picture starring the original lead of the stage musical, Zippo Mostel.
Productions [edit]
Original Broadway [edit]
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opened on Broadway on May 8, 1962, at the Alvin Theatre, and and so transferred to the Mark Hellinger Theatre and the Purple Theatre, where the show closed on August 29, 1964, after 964 performances and 8 previews.
The show'southward creators originally wanted Phil Silvers in the lead part of Pseudolus, but he turned them down, allegedly because he would have to perform onstage without his glasses, and his vision was so poor that he feared tripping into the orchestra pit. He is besides quoted equally turning down the role for existence "Sgt. Bilko in a toga". (Silvers eventually played the role — wearing his glasses — in a 1972 revival. In the flick, he played Marcus Lycus.) Milton Berle also passed on the part. Somewhen, Zero Mostel was bandage.[one]
During the out of town pre-Broadway tryouts the show was attracting little business and non playing well. Jerome Robbins was called in to give advice and make changes. The biggest change Robbins fabricated was a new opening number to replace "Honey Is in the Air" and introduce the show as a bawdy, wild one-act. Stephen Sondheim wrote the song "One-act This night" for this new opening.[one] From that point on, the show was a success.
Information technology was directed by George Abbott and produced by Hal Prince, with choreography by Jack Cole and uncredited staging and choreography by Robbins. The breathtaking and costume pattern was past Tony Walton. This wardrobe is on display at the Costume Globe Broadway Collection in Pompano Beach, Florida. The lighting design was by Jean Rosenthal. Along with Mostel, the musical featured a cast of seasoned performers, including Jack Gilford (Mostel'southward friend and beau blacklist member), David Burns, John Carradine, Ruth Kobart, and Raymond Walburn. The immature lovers were played by Brian Davies and Preshy Marker. Karen Blackness, originally cast as the ingenue, was replaced out of town.
The show won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actor (Mostel), Best Supporting Histrion (Burns), Best Book, and Best Director. The score, Sondheim'southward first Broadway production for which he wrote both music and lyrics, did not earn a nomination.
London [edit]
The show was presented twice in London'due south West End. The 1963 production and its 1986 revival were staged at the Strand Theatre and the Piccadilly Theatre respectively,[2] [3] and starred Frankie Howerd as Pseudolus and Leon Greene equally Miles Gloriosus in both. In the 1963 product, Kenneth Connor appeared as Hysterium, 'Monsewer' Eddie Gray as Senex and Jon Pertwee every bit Marcus Lycus. In the 1986 revival, Patrick Cargill was Senex with Ronnie Stevens as Hysterium and Derek Royle as Erronius.
In 2004 there was a limited-run revival at the Regal National Theatre, starring Desmond Barrit every bit Pseudolus, Philip Quast equally Miles Gloriosus, Hamish McColl as Hysterium and Isla Blair every bit Domina (who had previously played Philia in the 1963 production).[4] This production was nominated for the 2005 Olivier Honor, Outstanding Musical Product.[5]
Motion picture adaptation [edit]
Both Mostel and Gilford re-created their Broadway roles for the 1966 musical moving-picture show directed by Richard Lester. Leon Greene reprised his Westward End function (Miles Gloriosus), while Phil Silvers portrayed Lycus, Michael Crawford portrayed Hero, and Michael Hordern played Senex. Buster Keaton made his terminal picture show advent in the role of Erronius.
Broadway revivals [edit]
A revival opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on April 4, 1972 and closed on August 12, 1972 after 156 performances. Directed by co-author Burt Shevelove the cast starred Phil Silvers as Pseudolus (later replaced by Tom Poston), Lew Parker as Senex, Carl Ballantine as Lycus and Reginald Owen as Erronius. Larry Blyden, who played Hysterium, the role created by Jack Gilford, besides co-produced.[six] "Pretty Little Picture" and "That'll Prove Him" were dropped from the evidence, and were replaced with "Echo Song" (sung by Hero and Philia), and "Farewell" (added for Nancy Walker every bit Domina, as she and Senex depart for the country). "Echo Song" and "Farewell" had been added to a production staged in Los Angeles the previous year and were composed by Sondheim. They had to close presently after Phil Silvers suffered a stroke. The bear witness won two Tony Awards, Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Silvers, and All-time Featured Actor in a Musical for Blyden.[half dozen]
The musical was revived once again with great success in 1996, opening at the St. James Theatre on Apr eighteen, 1996 and closing on Jan 4, 1998 subsequently 715 performances. The bandage starred Nathan Lane as Pseudolus (replaced by Whoopi Goldberg and later by David Alan Grier), Marker Linn-Baker every bit Hysterium, Ernie Sabella as Lycus, Jim Stanek as Hero, Lewis J. Stadlen every bit Senex, and Cris Groenendaal as Miles Gloriosus. The production was directed by Jerry Zaks, with choreography by Rob Marshall. Lane won the 1996 Tony Laurels for Best Leading Histrion and the Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Actor in a Musical; the production was nominated for the 1996 Tony Laurels and Drama Desk Award, Revival of a Musical.[7]
Every actor who has opened in the role of Pseudolus on Broadway (Nil Mostel, Phil Silvers, and Nathan Lane) has won a All-time Leading Actor Tony Award for his operation. In improver, Jason Alexander, who performed every bit Pseudolus in ane scene in Jerome Robbins' Broadway, too won a Tony for Best Actor in a Musical.
Other productions [edit]
The original Australian product with American actor Jack Collins every bit Pseudolus opened at the Theatre Imperial in Sydney in July 1964, and toured other Australian cities through 1965.[8]
In 1998, Jon English starred as Pseudolus in Essgee Entertainment's product that opened New year at the State Theatre, Melbourne and toured Australia and New Zealand, closing September 1999.[ix]
The Stephen Sondheim Eye for the Performing Arts produced a limited-run revival of the musical from January 11 to 27, 2008. The production was directed by Randal Chiliad. West, with Justin Hill as musical managing director and Adam Cates as choreographer. The cast featured Richard Kind as Pseudolus, Joel Blum equally Senex, Stephen DeRosa as Marcus Lycus, Sean McCall as Hysterium, and Steve Wilson every bit Miles Gloriosus. It as well featured Diana Upton-Hill, Ryan Gaffney, Stephen Mark Crisp, Jack Kloppenborg, and Margret Clair.[10] [xi] [12]
The Chung Ying Theatre Company in Hong Kong staged a Cantonese version of the musical at Kwai Tsing Theatre, to celebrate the company's 30th anniversary. It was directed by Chung Rex Fai and Ko Tin can Lung and ran from fourteen to 21 March 2009.[13]
The Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario, Canada production ran from June 11 to Nov 7, 2009, with Des McAnuff directing and Wayne Cilento every bit choreographer.[14] Bruce Dow originally performed the office of Pseudolus, but was forced to withdraw from the entire 2009 season due to an injury, and the part was then performed past Seán Cullen every bit of September five, 2009.[15] Stephen Ouimette played Hysterium. Mirvish Productions presented the earlier Stratford production at the Canon Theatre, Toronto, in December 2010 through Jan 2011. Bruce Dow and Sean Cullen were alternates in the lead part.[16]
In October 2012 the play opened at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, Australia, with Geoffrey Rush as Pseudolus, Magda Szubanski equally Domina and Shane Bourne as Senex.[17]
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum was produced at the Two River Theater in Red Depository financial institution, New Jersey from November 14, 2015 to Dec 13, 2015 with an all-male person cast (Paul Castree, Eddie Cooper, Kevin Isola, David Josefsberg, Max Kumangai, Graham Rowat, Manny Stark, Bobby Conte Thornton, David Turner, Michael Urie, Tom Deckman, and Christopher Fitzgerald).[18]
Plot [edit]
Graphic from the original Broadway bandage anthology
In ancient Rome, some neighbors live in three adjacent houses. In the center is the firm of Senex, who lives at that place with wife Domina, son Hero, and several slaves, including head slave Hysterium and the musical's main character Pseudolus. A slave belonging to Hero, Pseudolus wishes to buy, win, or steal his freedom. One of the neighboring houses is owned past Marcus Lycus, who is a buyer and seller of beautiful women; the other belongs to the ancient Erronius, who is abroad searching for his long-lost children (stolen in infancy by pirates).
One day, Senex and Domina go along a trip and get out Pseudolus in charge of Hero. Hero confides in Pseudolus that he is in love with the lovely Philia, one of the courtesans in the House of Lycus (albeit still a virgin). Pseudolus promises to aid him win Philia's love in exchange for his ain freedom. Unfortunately (as the two detect out when they pay a visit on Lycus), Philia has been sold to the renowned warrior Miles Gloriosus, who is expected to claim her very shortly. Pseudolus, an fantabulous liar, uses Philia'southward cheery disposition to convince Lycus that she has picked up a plague from Crete, which causes its victims to grinning incessantly in its terminal stages. Past offering to isolate her in Senex's house, he is able to give Philia and Hero some time lone together, and the two fall in beloved. Merely Philia insists that, even though she is in love with Hero, she must honor her contract with the Captain, for "that is the way of a courtesan." To gratify her, he tells her to look ("that's what virgins practice best, isn't information technology?") inside, and that he will take the captain knock three times when he arrives. Pseudolus comes up with a plan to sideslip Philia a sleeping potion that will render her unconscious. He will then tell Lycus that she has died of the Cretan plague, and will offer to remove the body. Hero will come along, and they will stow away on a transport headed for Hellenic republic. Satisfied with his program, Pseudolus steals Hysterium's book of potions and has Hero read him the recipe for the sleeping potion; the only ingredient he lacks is "mare'south sweat", and Pseudolus goes off in search of some.
Unexpectedly, Senex returns abode early from his trip, and knocks 3 times on his own door. Philia comes out of the firm, and, thinking that Senex is the Captain, offers herself up to him. Surprised only game, Senex instructs Philia to wait in the house for him, and she does. Hysterium arrives to this confusion, and tells Senex that Philia is the new maid that he has hired. Pseudolus returns, having procured the necessary mare's sweat; seeing that Senex has returned unexpectedly and grasping the demand to keep him out of the fashion, Pseudolus discreetly sprinkles some of the horse-sweat onto him, then suggests that the road trip has left Senex in dire demand of a bathroom. Taking the allurement, Senex instructs Hysterium to describe him a bath in the long-abandoned house of Erronius. But while this is happening, Erronius returns home, finally having given up the search for his long-lost children. Hysterium, drastic to keep him out of the house where his main is bathing, tells the old man that his firm has go haunted – a story seemingly confirmed by the sound of Senex singing in his bathroom. Erronius immediately determines to have a soothsayer come and blackball the spirit from his house, and Pseudolus obligingly poses as 1, telling Erronius that, in order to banish the spirit, he must travel 7 times effectually the seven hills of Rome (thus keeping the old man occupied and out of the way for quite a while).
When Miles Gloriosus arrives to claim his courtesan-bride, Pseudolus hides Philia on the roof of Senex's house; told that she has "escaped", Lycus is terrified to face up the Captain's wrath. Pseudolus offers to impersonate Lycus and talk his way out of the mess but, his ingenuity flagging, he ends up merely telling the Captain that Philia has disappeared, and that he, "Lycus", volition search for her. Displeased and suspicious, Miles insists that his soldiers accompany Pseudolus, only the wily slave loses them in Rome'south winding streets.
Complicating matters further, Domina returns from her trip early, suspicious that her husband Senex is "up to something low." She disguises herself in virginal white robes and a veil (much like Philia's) to try to catch Senex beingness unfaithful. Pseudolus convinces Hysterium to assist him past dressing in drag and pretending to be Philia, "dead" from the plague. Unfortunately, it turns out that Miles Gloriosus has just returned from Crete, where there is of course no actual plague. With the ruse thus revealed, the main characters run for their lives, resulting in a madcap chase across the phase with both Miles and Senex pursuing all three "Philia"due south (Domina, Hysterium, and the actual Philia – all wearing identical white robes and veils). Meanwhile, the courtesans from the house of Marcus Lycus – who had been recruited as mourners at "Philia"'s ersatz funeral – have escaped, and Lycus sends his eunuchs out to bring them all back, adding to the full general pandemonium.
Finally, the Helm'south troops are able to round everyone up. His plot thoroughly unraveled, Pseudolus appears to be in deep trouble – but Erronius, completing his 3rd circuit of the Roman hills, shows upward fortuitously to discover that Miles Gloriosus and Philia are wearing matching rings which mark them as his long-lost children. Philia's betrothal to the Captain is nullified by the unexpected revelation that he's her brother, and, as the daughter of a complimentary-born citizen, she'southward freed from Marcus Lycus. Philia weds Hero; Pseudolus gets his freedom and the lovely courtesan Gymnasia; Gloriosus receives twin courtesans to supplant Philia; and Erronius is reunited with his children. A happy ending prevails for all – except for poor Senex, stuck with his shrewish wife Domina.
Characters [edit]
- Pseudolus: A Roman slave, owned past Hero, who seeks to win freedom by helping Hero win the heart of Philia. The slave proper noun Pseudolus means "Faker". While originally written as a male role, information technology has been performed by female person actors equally well.
- Hero: Young son of Senex who falls in love with the virgin, Philia.
- Philia: (Greek for "love") A virgin in the house of Marcus Lycus, and Hero's love involvement. Her proper name is also a homophone of the Latin give-and-take "Filia", which ways girl. This foreshadows her status as the daughter of Erronius.
- Hysterium: (Latin for "Hysterical", or "Anxious", the suffix "-um" makes the name neuter, and the grapheme's gender is oft mistaken throughout the piece) The main slave in the house of Senex.
- Senex: (Latin for "old homo") A henpecked, sardonic Roman senator living in a less fashionable suburb of Rome.
- Domina: (Latin for "mistress") The wife of Senex. A manipulative, shrewish woman who is loathed past fifty-fifty her hubby.
- Marcus Lycus: A purveyor of courtesans, who operates from the house to the left of Senex. (Proper name based on Lycus, the pimp in Plautus's Poenulus.)
- Miles Gloriosus: (Latin for "boastful soldier", the classic of the braggart soldier in Roman comedies) A helm in the Roman army to whom Marcus Lycus has promised Philia.
- Erronius: (Latin for "wandering") Senex's elderly neighbour in the business firm to the right. He has spent the past 20 years searching for his two children, kidnapped in infancy past pirates.
- Gymnasia: (Greek for "Athletic", with the connotation of nakedness) A courtesan from the house of Lycus with whom Pseudolus falls in love.
- Tintinabula: (Latin for "Bells") A jingling, bong-wearing courtesan in the business firm of Lycus.
- Vibrata: (Latin for "Vibrant") A wild, vibrant courtesan in the house of Lycus.
- Geminae: (Latin for "Twins") Twin courtesans in the business firm of Lycus.
- Panacea: (Greek for "Cure All") A courtesan in the house of Lycus.
- Proteans: Choristers who play multiple roles (slaves, citizens, soldiers, and eunuchs). They accompany Pseudolus in "One-act Tonight". On Broadway, three people played all of these roles.
Bandage [edit]
| Function | Original Broadway | Original London | 1966 film | 1972 Broadway Revival | 1996 Broadway Revival | 2004 London Revival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prologus/Pseudolus | Zero Mostel | Frankie Howerd | Cipher Mostel | Phil Silvers | Nathan Lane | Desmond Barrit |
| Hero | Brian Davies | John Rye | Michael Crawford | John Hansen[xix] | Jim Stanek | Vince Leigh |
| Philia | Preshy Mark | Isla Blair | Annette Andre | Pamela Hall | Jessica Boevers | Caroline Sheen |
| Hysterium | Jack Gilford | Kenneth Connor | Jack Gilford | Larry Blyden | Marker Linn-Baker | Hamish McColl |
| Senex | David Burns | Eddie Gray | Michael Hordern | Lew Parker | Lewis J. Stadlen | Sam Kelly |
| Domina | Ruth Kobart | Linda Grey | Patricia Jessel | Lizabeth Pritchett | Mary Testa | Isla Blair |
| Marcus Lycus | John Carradine | Jon Pertwee | Phil Silvers | Carl Ballantine | Ernie Sabella | David Schneider |
| Miles Gloriosus | Ronald Holgate | Leon Greene | Leon Greene | Carl Lindstrom | Cris Groenendaal | Philip Quast |
| Erronius | Raymond Walburn | Robertson Hare | Buster Keaton | Reginald Owen | William Duell | Harry Towb |
Songs [edit]
| Act I
| Act Ii
|
Cut Songs: [xx]
- "Love Is in the Air" – Prologus (Played by Senex) and Proteans (Originally intended equally the opening number, replaced with "Comedy Tonight".[21] The song was afterward featured in the film The Birdcage (1996) where information technology was performed by Robin Williams and Christine Baranski.)
- "Invocation and Instructions to the Audience" (Some other version of the opening number. Used in subsequent revues of Sondheim songs and was sung by Nathan Lane in the musical The Frogs.)
- "I Practise Like Yous" – Pseudolus and Hysterium
- "There's Something About a State of war" – Miles Gloriosus
- "Repeat Song" – Philia
- "Your Optics Are Blue" – Hero
- "The Gaggle of Geese" – Erronius
- "What Practice You Do With a Woman?" – Hero
Notes:
"Pretty Picayune Picture" is frequently dropped from productions of the show, and i poetry of "I'grand Calm" is also frequently trimmed. A vocal for Domina entitled "Farewell" was added for the 1972 Revival as she and Senex depart for the land. "Repeat Song" was reinstated in the same revival.
Awards and honors [edit]
Original Broadway product [edit]
| Year | Honour ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Outer Critics Circle Accolade | Special Award | George Abbott | Won |
| 1963 | Tony Laurels | Best Musical | Won | |
| All-time Producer of a Musical | Harold Prince | Won | ||
| All-time Author | Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart | Won | ||
| Best Performance by a Leading Histrion in a Musical | Goose egg Mostel | Won | ||
| Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical | David Burns | Won | ||
| Jack Gilford | Nominated | |||
| Best Operation past a Featured Extra in a Musical | Ruth Kobart | Nominated | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | George Abbott | Won | ||
1972 Broadway revival [edit]
| Year | Honour | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Tony Award | All-time Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical | Phil Silvers | Won |
| Best Operation by a Featured Actor in a Musical | Larry Blyden | Won | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Burt Shevelove | Nominated |
1996 Broadway revival [edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Tony Award | Best Revival of a Musical | Nominated | |
| Best Operation by a Leading Actor in a Musical | Nathan Lane | Won | ||
| Best Functioning by a Featured Actor in a Musical | Lewis J. Stadlen | Nominated | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Jerry Zaks | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Nathan Lane | Won | ||
| Outer Critics Circumvolve Award | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Nathan Lane | Won | |
| Outstanding Director of a Musical | Jerry Zaks | Won | ||
| Drama League Award | Distinguished Product of a Revival | Nominated | ||
.
References [edit]
Notes
- ^ a b Green, Stanley and Greenish, Kay."A Funny Affair Happened on the Way To the Forum" Broadway Musicals, Testify By Show (1996), Hal Leonard Corporation, ISBN 0-7935-7750-0, p. 198
- ^ "Listing, 1963 production" Guidetomusicaltheatre.com, retrieved December nine, 2009
- ^ "Listing, 1986 production" Thisistheatre.com, retrieved December nine, 2009
- ^ Inverne, James. "Thoroughly Modern Millie Closes in London equally New Musicals Prepare to Open". Playbill, June 7, 2004, accessed December 25, 2016
- ^ "Olivier Winners, 2005". olivierawards.com, accessed December 27, 2016
- ^ a b " 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' 1972" sondheimguide.com, accessed December 25, 2016
- ^ " 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Mode to the Forum' Broadway 1996",. Playbill (vault), accessed Dec 26, 2016
- ^ "AusStage - A Funny Thing Happened on the Style to the Forum". world wide web.ausstage.edu.au . Retrieved 2017-09-21 .
- ^ "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum".
- ^ "News" gazettonline, January fourteen, 2008] Archived January 23, 2015, at the Wayback Automobile
- ^ Lipton, Brian Scott."Richard Kind to Star in Fairfield Center's 'Forum'" Theatermania.com, January iv, 2008
- ^ Gans, Andrew."Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy This night: 'Forum' Begins Run at Sondheim Center" Archived December xi, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Playbill.com, January 11, 2008
- ^ "Funny Matter" chungying.com Archived June 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ (no writer)."Stratford Product History" Stratfordfestival.ca, accessed August 16, 2011
- ^ Bacalzo, Dan."Sean Cullen to Replace Injured Bruce Dow in Stratford 'Forum' " Theatermania.com, August 17, 2009
- ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly."Theatre Review. 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' withal brings the funny, but not as much" The Earth and Mail, Dec 20, 2010
- ^ "A Funny Thing Happened on the Manner to the Forum Archived October 28, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Australian website
- ^ Kennedy, Marina. "BWW Review: 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Fashion to the Forum' at TRT-Musical Comedy at its Very Best" broadwayworld.com, November 24, 2015
- ^ "A Funny Affair Happened on the Way to the Forum – Broadway Musical – 1972 Revival | IBDB".
- ^ Gelbart, Larry (1990). A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: Introduction. Adulation. pp. 1–x. ISBN1557830649.
- ^ (no writer)."Cut songs, 'A Funny Thing Happened'" Sondheim.com, accessed August 16, 2011
Bibliography
- "'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' plot summary & character descriptions" from StageAgent.com
- "Plot and production information", guidetomusicaltheatre.com
External links [edit]
- A Funny Affair Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Internet Broadway Database
- ''A Funny Affair Happened on the Way to the Forum Sondheim Guide
- "Libretto for the Broadway play". Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
- A Funny Matter Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Music Theatre International website
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Funny_Thing_Happened_on_the_Way_to_the_Forum
0 Response to "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Monologue"
Post a Comment