A Funny Thing... Forum

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Sondheim's joyous, musical romp through Rome has desperate lovers, scheming neighbors and secrets behind every toga.

Broadway's greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright, Plautus, with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a nonstop laughfest in which Pseudolus, a crafty slave, struggles to win the hand of a beautiful, but slow-witted, courtesan named Philia for his young master, Hero, in exchange for freedom. The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors and a showgirl or two.

This unforgettable, hysterical musical allows a terrific ensemble of comedic actors to shine – "something for everyone, a comedy tonight!"

Full SynopsisMaterials and Orchestration

Concert Selections for A Funny Thing... Forum

MTI is pleased to provide the pre-approved rental materials of select songs for your symphonic concert performance. Please note, MTI is unable to grant the necessary Performance Rights with this material rental. The Performance Rights needed must be obtained separately through the individual song’s respective small rights agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Please email concerts@mtishows.com with any questions.

  • BOWS ("FUNNY THING...FORUM")
    From
    A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    IRWIN KOSTAL & SID RAMIN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    INSTRUMENTAL
    Starting Key
    E♭
    Estimated duration
    3 min 45 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 1 Reed 5, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trombone 2, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone 3, 7 Viola, 17 Violin, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Harp, 3 Percussion, 1 Piano Vocal, 2 Piano Conductor

  • BRING ME MY BRIDE
    From
    A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    IRWIN KOSTAL, SID RAMIN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    MALE VOICE, CHORUS
    Starting Key
    B♭m
    Estimated duration
    3 min 20 sec
    Instrumentation

    5 bass, 6 cello, 7 viola, 17 violins, 1 harp, 3 percussion, 1 reed 1, 1 reed 2, 1 reed 3, 1 reed 4, 1 reed 5, 3 trombones, 3 trumpets 2 Piano Vocal Scores, 2 Piano Conductor Scores, 25 Vocal Books

  • COMEDY TONIGHT
    From
    A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Lyrics by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Orchestrated by
    Sid Ramin, Irwin Kostal & Arthur Beck
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 Voice (Typically Male) and Chorus
    Starting Key
    G
    Estimated duration
    5 min 04 sec
    Instrumentation
    Part Name Doubling Quantity
    FULL SCORE   1
    PIANO/VOCAL SCORE   12
    REED 1 Clarinet, Piccolo, Flute 3
    REED 2 Clarinet 1
    REED 3 Clarinet 1
    REED 4 Bass Clarinet 1
    REED 5 Flute, Clarinet  2
    TRUMPET 1   1
    TRUMPET 2   1
    TRUMPET 3   1
    TROMBONE 1   1
    TROMBONE 2   1
    TROMBONE 3   1
    PERCUSSION 1 & 2

    PERCUSSION 1: Timpani, Bells, Slap-Stick, Xylophone

    PERCUSSION 2: Drum Set, 2 Woodblocks, Cowbell, Chinese Cymbal, Bass Drum

    		 3
    HARP   1
    PIANO (Can also be used as Piano/Conductor) 1
    VIOLINS   17
    VIOLA   7
    CELLO   6
    BASS   5

    Please Note: In some instances (i.e. Reeds, Percussion, etc.), additional copies of parts may be provided, in the event you wish to split out the doublings to multiple players.

  • COMEDY TONIGHT ("SYMPHONIC SONDHEIM")
    From
    A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Arranged by
    Don Sebesky
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (Instrumental)
    Starting Key
    F
    Estimated duration
    5 min 04 sec
    Instrumentation
    Part Name Doubling Quantity
    FULL SCORE   1
    FLUTE 1   1
    FLUTE 2   1
    FLUTE 3 +Piccolo 1
    OBOE 1   1
    OBOE 2   1
    CLARINET 1 B♭ Clarinet, E♭ Clarinet 1
    CLARINET 2 B♭ Clarinet, Bass Clarinet 1
    CLARINET 3 B♭ Clarinet 1
    BASSOON 1   1
    BASSOON 2 +Contrabassoon 1
    HORN 1   1
    HORN 2   1
    HORN 3   1
    HORN 4   1
    TRUMPET 1   1
    TRUMPET 2   1
    TRUMPET 3   1
    TROMBONE 1   1
    TROMBONE 2   1
    TROMBONE 3   1
    TUBA   1
    PERCUSSION 1 & 2 Xylophone, Handheld Cymbal, Glockenspiel, Woodblock, Mark Tree, Flexatone, Tambourine, Tuned Tom Toms, Small Splash Cymbal, Small Triangle, Tuned Woodblock, Finger Cymbal, Vibraphone, Ratchet, Slide Whistle, Ooga Horn 2
    PERCUSSION 3 & 4 Timpani, Tight Snare, Bass Drum, Bell Tree, Mouth Siren, Mounted Cymbal, Rubber Duck, Cow Bell, Sandpaper Block, Chimes, Handheld Cymbal, Firebell, Bulb Horn, Slap Stick, Crow Call 2
    PIANO +Celesta 1
    HARP   1
    VIOLIN 1   8
    VIOLIN 2   8
    VIOLA   7
    CELLO   6
    BASS   5

    Please Note: In some instances (i.e. Reeds, Percussion, etc.), additional copies of parts may be provided, in the event you wish to split out the doublings to multiple players.

  • ENTR'ACTE ("FUNNY THING...FORUM")
    From
    A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    IRWIN KOSTAL & SID RAMIN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    INSTRUMENTAL
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    2 min 50 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 1 Reed 5, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trombone 2, 1 Trombone 3, 5 Bass, 6 Cello, 17 Violin, 7 Viola, 1 Harp, 3 Percussion, 1 PV, 2 Piano Conductor

  • EVERYBODY OUGHT TO HAVE A MAID
    From
    A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Lyrics by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Orchestrated by
    Irwin Kostal & Sid Ramin
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    4 Male Voices
    Starting Key
    D
    Estimated duration
    3 min 47 sec
    Instrumentation

    Reed I (Flute, Alto Saxophone 1), Reed II (Clarinet 1 in Bb, Alto Saxophone 2), Reed III (Clarinet 2 in Bb, Tenor Saxophone), Reed IV (Bass Clarinet), Reed 5 (Piccolo, Baritone Saxophone), 1 Oboe, 1 Bassoon, 3 Horns in F, 3 Trumpets in Bb, 1 Trombone, (3) Percussion (Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Drums), 1 Harp, 1 Guitar, 1 Piano, (8) Viola, (6) Violoncello, (5) Contrabass. Your rental materials also include 1 Full Score and 4 Piano-Vocal Scores.

  • FINALE ULTIMO ("FUNNY THING...FORUM")
    From
    A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    IRWIN KOSTAL & SID RAMIN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    CHORUS
    Starting Key
    G
    Estimated duration
    1 min 25 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 1 Reed 5, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trombone 2, 1 Trombone 3, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 17 Viola, 3 Percussion, 1 Harp, 2 Piano Conductor, 1 Piano Vocal, 25 Chorus books

  • FREE
    From
    A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    IRWIN KOSTAL & SID RAMIN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    2 MALE VOICES
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    3 min 35 sec
    Instrumentation

    (1x) Full Score; (3x) Piano/Vocal Score; (2x) Reed 1: Clarinet, Piccolo; (1x) Reed 2: Clarinet; (1x) Reed 3: Clarinet; (1x) Reed 4: Bass Clarinet; (2x) Reed 5: Piccolo, Flute; (1x) Trumpet 1; (1x) Trumpet 2; (1x) Trumpet 3; (1x) Trombone 1; (1x) Trombone 2; (1x) Trombone 3; (3x) Percussion 1&2 (Percussion 1: Timpani, Xylophone, Vibraphone; Percussion 2: Drum Set); (1x) Harp; (2x) Piano/Conductor; (17x) Violins; (7x) Viola; (6x) Cello; (5x) Bass

  • IM CALM
    From
    A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    IRWIN KOSTAL & SID RAMIN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 MALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    G
    Estimated duration
    3 min 00 sec
    Instrumentation

    (1x) Full Score; (2x) Piano/Vocal Score; (1x) Reed 1: Flute; (1x) Reed 2: Clarinet; (1x) Reed 3: Clarinet; (2x) Reed 4: Bass Clarinet, Clarinet; (2x) Reed 5: Piccolo, Clarinet; (1x) Trumpet 1; (1x) Trumpet 2; (1x) Trumpet 3; (1x) Trombone 1; (1x) Trombone 2; (1x) Trombone 3; (3x) Percussion 1 & 2 (Percussion 1: Xylophone, Timpani, Bells; Percussion 2: Drum Set); (1x) Harp; (2x) Piano/Conductor; (17x) Violins; (7x) Viola; (6x) Cello; (5x) Bass

  • LOVE, I HEAR
    From
    A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Lyrics by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Orchestrated by
    Irwin Kostal, Sid Ramin
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    G
    Estimated duration
    2 min 51 sec
    Instrumentation
    (1x) FULL SCORE, (2x) PIANO/VOCAL SCORE, (1x) REED 1 (Flute), (1x) REED 2 (Clarinet), (1x) REED 3 (Clarinet), (1x) REED 4 (Bass Clarinet), (2x) REED 5 (Flute, Clarinet), (1x) TRUMPET 1, (1x) TRUMPET 2, (1x) TRUMPET 3, (1x) TROMBONE 1, (1x) TROMBONE 2, (1x) TROMBONE 3, (2x) PERCUSSION 1 & 2 (Percussion 1: Timpani, Percussion 2: Drum Set), (1x) HARP, (2x) PIANO (can also be used as Piano/Conductor), (17x) VIOLINS, (7x) VIOLA, (6x) CELLO, (5x) BASS
  • LOVELY
    From
    A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    IRWIN KOSTAL & SID RAMIN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE, 1 MALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    G
    Estimated duration
    3 min 10 sec
    Instrumentation

    (1x) Full Score; (2x) Piano/Vocal Score; (1x) Reed 1: Flute; (1x) Reed 2: Clarinet; (1x) Reed 3: Clarinet; (1x) Reed 4: Bass Clarinet; (2x) Reed 5: Clarinet, Flute; (1x) Trumpet 1; (1x) Trumpet 2; (1x) Trumpet 3; (1x) Trombone 1; (1x) Trombone 2; (1x) Trombone 3; (2x) Percussion: Timpani, Drum Set; (1x) Piano (Optional Piano/Conductor); (1x) Harp; (16x) Violins; (7x) Viola; (6x) Cello; (5x) Bass

  • OVERTURE ("FUNNY THING...FORUM")
    From
    A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    KOSTAL, IRWIN RAMIN, SID
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    D♭
    Estimated duration
    3 min 15 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Flute 1, 1 Flute 2, 1 Oboe, 1 English horn, 1 Clarinet 1, 1 Clarinet 2(Tenor sax), 1 Bass clarinet(Baritone sax), 1 Opt Tenor sax, 1 Opt,Baritone sax, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trombone 2, 1 Trombone 3, 17 Violin, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Harp, 3 Percussion(TimpAb-Eb, Bells, Bongos, Vibes, Xylo, Drum set), 2 Piano Conductor

Show Essentials

Book by
Burt SheveloveBurt Shevelove
Larry GelbartLarry Gelbart
Music and Lyrics by
Stephen SondheimStephen Sondheim
Full Billing

Songs

That Dirty Old Man

That'll Show Him

Funeral

Overture

Comedy Tonight

Love, I Hear

Free

Lovely

Pretty Little Picture

Everybody Ought to Have a Maid

I'm Calm

Bring Me My Bride

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Questions & Answers

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By DJCHORUS
December 03, 2018
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Related shows or resources: A Funny Thing... Forum
Gender Switch?

Does the licensing agreement allow for gender switching as has been allowed in the past? I’m specifically referring to Whoopi Goldberg as Pseudolus. Thanks for the help! 

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By helen59169
August 08, 2016
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Related shows or resources: A Funny Thing... Forum
If a show is currently restricted, does it say so on the website?
Just wondering if the individual shows' pages are updated to reflect whether or not they are restricted, or does one have to request a license in order to find that out. May not want to bother requesting a show if it's restricted. Thanks!
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By Ken Getz
December 30, 2010
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Related shows or resources: A Funny Thing... Forum
Optional instrumentation for Forum
Getting ready to MD a community theater production of Forum. I've seen the orchestration list online. Can anyone comment on the following questions: * are any of the books optional? * are the woodwind doublings cued for optional instruments (I live in a small community, and it's difficult to find folks that double as indicated) Thanks. Any other words of wisdom from a conductor that has done the show would be appreciated! -- ken
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