Hampton Theatre Company Presents 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” one of American theater’s most raucous and irresistible musicals, will conclude the Hampton Theatre Company’s 2023-2024 season when it premieres at the Quogue Community Hall on May 23, with performances running through June 9. The company’s 39th season is dedicated to Don and Judy Gruhn, Quogue residents and longtime friends and supporters of the HTC.

The musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, tells the bawdy story of an upwardly mobile slave named Pseudolus, who schemes to win his freedom by helping his young master, Hero, woo Philia, the naïve beauty who also happens to be one of the courtesans in the house of Marcus Lycus next door. Pseudolus’s efforts are complicated by a series of misadventures involving a colorful collection of Roman denizens, including Hero’s overprotective parents, the long-suffering Senex and his overbearing wife Domina, Hysterium, the aptly named head slave of the house of Senex, Miles Gloriosus, a grandiose Roman warrior with claims on Philia, and the perambulatory Erronius, whose house provides a temporary if not-so-safe haven for would-be lovers.

The story displays many timeless elements of farce, including more than a few groanworthy puns, multiple slamming doors and numerous cases of mistaken identity. The title derives from a phrase attributed to vaudeville comedians when telling a story: “A funny thing happened on the way to the theater.” A line from Sondheim’s memorable opening number sums it all up: “Something for everyone … a comedy tonight!”

Loosely inspired by the farces of the ancient playwright Plautus, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” caused a seismic sensation on Broadway when it premiered in May 1962, winning multiple Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In addition to Sondheim, Shevelove (“No, No, Nanette”) and Gelbart (creator of the TV series M*A*S*H), the original production featured an A-list team both onstage and behind the scenes, including the actors Zero Mostel (who reprised his Tony-winning Broadway role in the hit 1966 film), Jack Gilford and John Carradine; director George Abbott; and producer Hal Prince. An uncredited Jerome Robbins also contributed significantly to the show’s staging and choreography.

One of the most ambitious productions in the history of the Hampton Theatre Company, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” includes a spirited ensemble cast of 15, who bring to life both the show’s irreverent comedy as well as its unforgettable musical numbers, including “Comedy Tonight,” “Free,” “Lovely,” “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid” and “Impossible.”

Featuring seasoned veterans of previous Hampton Theatre Company productions as well as new-to-HTC talents, the cast includes, in alphabetical order: Nicholas Auletti (as Prologus/Pseudolus), Jamie Baio (Hero), Andrew Botsford (Lycus), Esmeralda Cabrera (Tintinabula), Tom Ciorciari (Hysterium), Matthew Conlon (Gloriosus), Mary Conley (Philia), Alissa Dabrowski (Vibratta), Matt Fama (Protean), Melissa Goldberg (Gymnasia), Jessica Howard (Domina), Bob Kaplan (Senex), Dara Lifschutz (Panacea/Domina), George A. Loizides (Erronius/3rd Warrior) and Thomas Milton (Protean).

Directing “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” is Rosemary Cline; co-producers are Cline and Botsford. Music Director Dee Laveglia is the keyboard accompanist; choreography is by Nora Moutrane. Set design is by Ricky Bottenus; lighting design by Sebastian Paczynski; sound design by Jonathan Presto; and costumes by Teresa Lebrun.

Performances of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” will run from May 23 through June 9 on Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. An additional matinee will be offered on Saturday, June 8, at 2:30 p.m. Two talkbacks with the cast immediately follow the May 31 and June 7 performances.

Tickets are $48 for adults ($43 seniors, $27 students) at hamptontheatre.org or 631-653-8955. Quogue Community Hall is at 125 Jessup Avenue in Quogue.