Gelbart and Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at The GEM Theatre
The GEM Theater (12852 Main St. Garden Grove, CA 92840)
- Full Price:
- $20.00 - $30.00
- Our Price:
- $10.00 - $20.00*
* Additional fees apply.
All offers for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum have expired.
The last date listed for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum was Sunday December 13, 2009 / 3:00pm.
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- Full Price:
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Free parking next to the theather
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Goldstar Member Reviews
nannarnan
Sadly, this show underlined to me why I shouldn't see Sondheim shows other than in a professional (Equity) production. This was a community-theatre level production in every way - mediocre acting, bad singing, strange sets & costumes, weird lighting and indulgent 'isn't that cute/funny?' direction. Liberties were taken with the script that didn't make sense (why was the courtesan's house titled "Mustang Ranch?" And why was there a pirate courtesan and continued refrences to pirates and Johnny Depp?) I found the gay-themed slant of some of the stage direction vulgar and gratuitous, and that rarely bothers me. This show can be a hilarious salute to burlesque and vaudeville, but this production completely misses the point. Don't bother.Written on Nov 30 2009
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Bryan
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" is one of my all time favorites. It was a fun night. The Gem Theatre was a great venue. I look forward to attending more productions at the Gem. Mahalo.Written on Jan 25 2010
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ocnely
What an entertaining play. The actors were high energy, professional and humorous. The stage was creative and not necessary to change much to make a new environment. The customes were sleak, sexy and appropriate for the time period. My family enjoyed the connection the actors immediately made with the audience. It was great to have the director come out to say a few words to the audience. The intermission was nice too; coffee and dessert was available for a small fee. I liked the idea of the raffle. The seats were very comfortable; seating is easy to find. Small venue, but gorgeous.Written on Jan 28 2010
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Thomas
This was my fourth time to the Gem Theatre and before I review this show may I say BRAVO One More Productions for the new seats in the theatre. Very nice. As to a Funny thing happened on the way to the forum the show was amusing and fun but it was not one of One More Productions better shows. The band was many times too loud for the audience to hear the singers (and on a few occasions thankfully so) and unfortunately many lines and good jokes were simply thrown away and left to dangle. I will say the lead, Kyle Myers, once again shines and was the glue that held this show together. I will also give Kudos to the set crew who once again made a fantastic set with such a small space. Overall if you have seen this show before you may want to skip this round, but if you were like me and had not seen this yet it will make a fun night out.Written on Dec 22 2009
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More Information About A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Website
http://www.onemoreproductions.com/pg200_production.aspx
Description
Book by Burt Shevelove; Larry Gelbart
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
The setting for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a street in ancient Rome, in front of three adjacent houses. First is the brothel of Lycus, who takes his profession of peddler of fresh very seriously. Next is the house of Senex, his wife Domina, and their son Hero. Last is the house of Erronius who continually bemoans the unsolved kidnapping long ago of his son and daughter.
Pseudolus, a slave in the household Senex and the property of Hero, is anxious to obtain his freedom. To do so, he will resort to all kinds of trickery, abetted reluctantly by fellow-slave Hysterium. (“I live to grovel,” he says complacently.) Pseudolus, who is a conniving and quick-witted rascal, has figured that the best way of bargaining for his freedom is to cater to the sex-hungers of the men of the household, especially Hero, who yearns for the beautiful Philia, a still virginal girl who is in basic training for a courtesan’s career in the bawdy house run by Lycus. Hero agrees to give Pseudolus his freedom if he can help him win Philia.
Hero’s aging father, however, lecherously wants to have a last fling and likewise has his eye on Philia. Thus, Pseudolus must also try to give him what he deserves. Finally, as the ultimate complication, Pseudolus is faced with the contracted fact that Philia has already been sold by Lycus to Miles Gloriosus, a soldier momentarily absent from Rome.
Forced to foil all the males who are after the lovely but dumb Philia, Pseudolus has to maneuver with resourcefulness and agility, and the action crosscuts from the chaste to the chase with dizzying speed. Guffaws keep erupting as the schemes of Pseudolus boomerang and get him ever deeper into a mire of deception, entangling everybody who comes near. When the vainglorious and licentious Miles Gloriosus returns to Rome and demands fulfillment of his contract for Philia, Pseudolus is in desperation and quickly declares that she is dead. To help him in this charade, he persuades Hysterium to don a wig and women’s clothes and pretend to be the corpse.
The very much alive Philia, hearing her contracted owner has returned, dim wittedly thinks that old Senex is the man who has purchased her, so Senex excitedly tries to escape his battle-ax of a wife, Domina, in order to enjoy his good luck. In preparation for the anticipated encounter, he oils himself with sweet ointments and begins issuing a gurgling mating call.
The ever-funny comic bit of mistaken identities kicks into high gear as there are suddenly three Philias: the real one, Hysterium in his fright-wig and women’s clothes, and Domina, who, in a similar wig, is attempting to snatch back her husband in the guise of the young courtesan. Suddenly everybody is chasing everybody else, mistakenly and hilariously, as the wily Pseudolus keeps the three unsuspecting Philias from confronting each other.
In the end it is discovered that the real Philia and Miles Gloriosus are long-lost brother and sister, the kidnapped children of Erronius. Since they are siblings, Miles Gloriosus voids his contract for Philia, and she is found of sufficient high birth to become Hero’s bride. And, of course, the scheming Pseudolus wins his freedom.
About the Ticket Supplier: One More Productions
One More Productions is very excited to be able to bring to you such an exhilarating and creative production company. There will be some of the most electrifying performances in the works for you, performances that you will not be able to find anywhere else, but with One More Productions.
OMP has assembled the most talented actors, vocalists, dancers, musicians, and technical artists in both the Orange County and Los Angeles areas to bring to you a stellar season. You are invited to become part of the family as they kick off their first musical season, housed at the beautiful Gem Theatre in Garden Grove, just minutes away from the 22 & 55 Freeways.
Everyone at One More Productions is grateful for your continued support of their efforts. They look forward to sharing with you a new life in Orange County theatre and a new love for the arts!