Collaborators
Original Production Information
Themes and Ideas
Stereotypically Sondheim
Fun Facts & Thrilling Trivia
150

The director of the original Broadway production.

Who is "George Abbot"?

150

The year the original Broadway production opened.

What is "1962"?

150
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" is a "low comedy". It is categorized as this type of musical.

What is a "farce"?

150

The opening number, a last minute pitch by Jerome Robins, that set up the comedic mood & tone for the show and launched its success.

What is "Comedy Tonight"?

150
This is the number of shows Sondheim wrote before "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

What is "2"?

300

The writers of the book the musical was based on.

Who are "Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart"?

300

The amount of Tony wins from this production.

What is "6"?

300

The show combines two ideas to create what is widely regarded as Sondheim's only purely farcical comedy.

What are "Classic Roman Plays & Vaudeville"?

300

The driving force of comedy in this show come from these.

What are "humorous circumstances"?

300

This show was Sondheim's first show as both a lyricist and composer.

What is "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"?

500

What the choreographer, Jack Cole, is known for inventing.

What is "theatrical jazz dance"?

500

The alleged reason established actor, Phil Silvers, turned down the role of leading man, Pseudolus.

What is "he would have to perform onstage without his glasses"?

500

This show utilizes stock characters from this form of theater to get across themes of deception and freedom.

What is "commedia dell'arte"?

500

______ lyrics that move a plot along. 

ex: "I'll never move until I'm free. Such a word, but oh, the difference it makes! I'll be Pseudolus, the founder of a family, I'll be Pseudolus, the pilar of society, "I'll be Pseudolus the man, if I can only be --  Free!"

What is "narrative"?

500

This show won Tony's for Best Musical, Best Actor, Best Featured Actor, and Best Director. This member of the creative team did not receive a Tony. 

Who is "Stephen Sondheim"?

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