Sunday, April 18, 2010

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Watched this play yesterday night. It was lovely, very funny musical. Below is description I got off ASN website.

Inspired by the farces of the Roman playwright Plautus, who lived from 251-183 BC  this Tony Award winning musical tells the story of the slave Pseudolos and his attempts to gain his freedom by helping his young master win 'the girl next door'.

Pure farce the story featurs puns, mistaken identity much coming in and out of doors and satirical comments on social class.. The title derives from the old saying often used in vaudeville in times past that 'a funny thing happened on the way to the theatre.' 

Originally produced on Broadway in 1962 starring Zero Mostel  where it ran for 964 performances it has since been revived  many times . Frankie Howerd & Kenneth Connor starred in the first London production.

The film version was made in 1966, again starring Zero Mostel as Pseudolus.

Comedy Tonight is probably the best known song from the show.

Featuring Ross Bryant as Pseudolus, with Phil Mackenzie, Diana Ryman, Morgan Phillips, Kimberley Harris, Emmet Nichols, Harry Lenthall, Craig Menner, Judith Clark, Niquelle May. Barbara Lovell, Tarryn Bullock, Vicki Kirkman, Stuart Riches, Jeff Hansen, Warren McGrath.

AND- as a bonus we have a wonderful nine piece orchestra,seductively called 'Creatures of the Night' conducted by David Hardie.

Again theatre has brought to me something movies can never bring. It made me feel in a different way that only great movies sort of make me feel. It brings the stage to life, I am drawn into that world. I am there with them and I love every moment of it.

2 comments:

Ken Levin said...

Hey Lawrence,

Great post! There was a really famous revival about 10 years ago on Broadway starring Nathan Lane, but then Whoopi Goldberg took over the part!

If any of your readers are in San Francisco, 42nd Street Moon theater company is going to be putting on our own version this fall, with Megan Cavanagh (the star of A Leauge of Their Own and the voice of Jimmy Neutron's Mom)as our favorite slave!

Lawrence said...

That is awesome! Hope your production goes well!