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Overview

Synopsis

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a fast-paced farce that promises to have audiences rolling on the floor. Taking straight from the roots of comedy, Forum combines the ancient comedies of Plautus with a vaudevillian delivery. Pseudolus schemes to win the heart of the beautiful virgin, Phelia, for his young master, Hero. In exchange, Hero will grant Pseudolus his freedom once and for all. However, things are never as easy as they seem. Chaos ensues with hair-brained schemes, cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors and convoluted plot twists. One of the funniest musicals ever written, Forum promises: “Something for everyone: a comedy tonight!”

Show Information

Book
Larry Gelbart , Burt Shevelove
Music
Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics
Stephen Sondheim
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1962
Genres
Comedy, Farce, Romance
Settings
Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
8th century bc
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
Musical Staging
Licensor
Music Theatre International
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, High School, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen, Elderly Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Philia

Lead

Female

Soprano

Hero

Lead

Male

Tenor

Pseudolus (Also Prologus)

Lead

Male

Baritone

Hysterium

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Senex

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Domina

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Marcus Lycus

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Miles Gloriosus

Supporting

Male

Bass

Erronius

Featured

Male

Spoken

Gymnasia

Featured

Female

Silent

Tintinabula

Featured

Female

Silent

Vibrata

Featured

Female

Silent

The Geminae

Featured

Female

Silent

Panacea

Featured

Female

Silent

The Proteans

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Act One

  • "Comedy Tonight" – Pseudolus and Company
  • "Love, I Hear" – Hero
  • "Free" – Pseudolus and Hero
  • "The House of Marcus Lycus" – Lycus and Pseudolus
  • "Lovely" – Philia and Hero
  • "Pretty Little Picture" – Pseudolus, Hero, and Philia
  • "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid" – Senex, Pseudolus, Hysterium and Lycus
  • "I'm Calm" – Hysterium
  • "Impossible" – Senex and Hero
  • "Bring Me My Bride" – Miles Gloriosus and Company

Act Two

  • "That Dirty Old Man" – Domina
  • "That'll Show Him" – Philia
  • "Lovely" (reprise) – Pseudolus and Hysterium
  • "Funeral Sequence" – Pseudolus, Miles Gloriosus and Company
  • "Finale" – Company

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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