A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a Broadway musical comedy (with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim) set in ancient Rome. Winner of several Tony Awards when it debuted in 1962, it blends aspects of farce (which do date to Greek and Roman theater), wordplay (punning names like the frantic Hysterium and consummate liar Pseudolus), and even vaudeville (with its title alluding to a standard comedian's opening).

The best known song, the opening number "Comedy Tonight" (reprised as an epilogue) was added to more clearly indicate to the audience that the following show would be a broad, bawdy comedy. A cover version against an even less comedic backdrop, filled with furtive criminals and monsters, was used to open The Muppet Show episode 103.

A film version was released in 1966, with a cast including original star Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers (who would later play Mostel's role in a revival), and Buster Keaton in his final role. The show has been revived multiple times and is still a staple of community dinner theater.

References[]

• An audition resume by "Penguin #4," for the 2016 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, lists A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Igloo as among the tuxedoed thespian's credits.

Connections[]

• John Bentley was a replacement as Pseudolus in the 1972 Broadway revival
• John Bluthal played one of Miles Gloriosus' soldiers in the 1966 film
• Larry Blyden played Hysterium in the 1972 Broadway revival
• Larry Gelbart co-wrote the musical's book
• Jack Gilford played Hysterium in the original Broadway cast and 1966 film
• Whoopi Goldberg was a replacement as Pseudolus in the 1996 Broadway revival
• David Alan Grier was a replacement as Pseudolus in the 1996 Broadway revival
• Michael Hordern played Senex in the 1966 film
• Justine Johnston played Domina in the 1964 national tour and other productions
• Nathan Lane played Pseudolus in the 1996 Broadway revival
• Jerry Lester was a replacement as Pseudolus in the original Broadway run and in the 1964 national tour
• Mark Linn-Baker played Hysterium in the 1996 Broadway revival
• Rob Marshall choreographed the 1996 Broadway revival
• Donna McKechnie played Philia in the 1964 national tour
• Zero Mostel played Pseudolus in the original Broadway cast and 1966 film
• Ricardo Palacios played a eunuch in the 1966 film
• Mickey Rooney played Pseudolus in the 1987 national tour
• Dick Shawn was a replacement as Pseudolus at the end of the original Broadway run
• Arnold Stang played Hysterium in the 1964 national tour