A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

  • Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
  • Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart

A Funny Thing Happened...
Director

Geva Theatre Center

Geva's ‘Forum’ a bawdy, madcap success
Everything turns into mayhem in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum to the Forum, the madcap farce that delivers on every one of its promises — especially the one promising “Comedy Tonight.”
Director Melissa Rain Anderson takes full advantage of the frenetic pace and the highly talented cast, which includes Broadway actor (and Rochester native) Steve Rosen as the slave Pseudolus and a team of acrobatic wunderkinds known as 2 Ring Circus.
Gleefully saucy, it’s hard to argue Forum’s success. It makes us laugh, which makes for a miraculously happy ending for the audience.

Marcia Morphy, Theater Critic
Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

A funny "Forum"
Under the capable and imaginative direction of Geva favorite, Melissa Rain Anderson, this Forum is vivid, fast-paced and zany. The show's slapstick, vaudevillian roots are on ample display. Anderson has even added a new, entertaining bonus to the Broadway chestnut — four circus gymnasts who she weaves cleverly into the nonstop stage action.

Jack Garner, Columnist
Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

Comedius Maximus
Cheery, tuneful, and packed with gags, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum offers nothing less than a night filled with rollicking fun and non-stop laughs.
Melissa Rain Anderson directs Forum on Geva’s Wilson Stage with cirque-esque staging complete with hula-hoops, juggling and tumbling by the multi-talented Proteans ​...​ and Adam Koch’s colorful and clever set is worth the price of a ticket by itself.​ It’s a show crammed with smiles and good vibes. Worry tomorrow. Go see a comedy tonight. ​

Michael Galvin
Kids Out And About

Something for everyone
Director Melissa Rain Anderson is known and loved by Geva audiences for her sold-out directing success of last year's "Spamalot," and 2013's "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." Anderson excels with works that rely on comedic timing, and this production is another such achievement.

Leah Stacy
City Newspaper Rochester

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Geva Theatre Center
The cast...delivers the still-hysterical story with a tight pace and clean look under the direction of Melissa Rain Anderson the most jaw-dropping part of this production is its inclusion of actual circus performers who fill the stage with tricks and antics that bring classic gag comedy to the next level (sometimes literally in the case of aerial work).
. . .if you’re looking for “comedy tonight,” or tomorrow, or next weekend, Geva’s latest production is one to catch.

Marisa Caruso
NY Theatre Guide

  • Set Design by Adam Koch
  • Costume Design by Devon Painter
  • Lighting Design by Brian J. Lilienthal
  • Choreography by Rommy Sandhu
  • Circus Direction by 2 Ring Circus

Cast: Starring Steve Rosen with Mark Bedard, Anna Bucci, Lani Corson, Joshua Dean, Nicole Eras, Ben Franklin, Jessica Murphy, Elyse Niederee, Bill Nolte, Dennis O'Bannion, Michele Ragusa, James Michael Reilly, Rob Riordan, Tim Rogan, John Shuman, Mackenzie Warren, Kenneth Ziegler