Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts - St. Bonaventure University
Something for Every-bawdy!
By Kelli Frost
From Insights, 1995
From the opening number ("Comedy Tonight") theatre-goers will know what to expect from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: "pantaloons and tunics! Courtesans and eunuchs! Funerals and chases! Baritones and basses! Panderers! Philanderers! Cupidity! Timidity! Mistakes! Fakes! Rhymes! Mimes! Tumblers! Grumblers! Fumblers! Bumblers! No royal curse, no Trojan horse, and a happy ending, of course!" And this is just a sampling of the lyrical gymnastics provided by the genius of Stephen Sondheim who wrote the lyrics and music.
When A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opened on Broadway in May 1962, it was premeditated to offend all. The burlesque qualities inherent in the play were stolen from a variety of sources that included ancient Greek comedy situations, Shakespearean language, stock characters of Italian commedia dell-arte, bawdy antics of Molierè's comedy, and American vaudeville, providing ample gags, puns, farcical characters, and broad comedic schtick.
One of the most entertaining aspects in the play is its cast of characters. Marcus Lycus sets out to sell his collection of courtesans, aptly named Tintinnabula, Panacea, the Gemini twins, Vibrata, and Gymnasia. But more comical than the courtesans are their guardian eunuchs. You get the idea!
Here's a show you're sure to enjoy. Don't miss this raucous and terribly funny romp through ancient Rome!
