Roman classicism meets vaudevillian farce!

Lend me your ears! Roman politics meets musical farce in this firm musical favorite, coming to Signature Theatre this fall, with music and lyrics written by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. First premiering in 1962 on Broadway, the show was notable for winning several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Author (Musical). Set around the antics of crafty Roman slave Pseudolus, he sets out to gain the hand of a non-too-bright courtesan for his master, to win his freedom.

Using the works of Roman dramatist Plautus as a guide, his comedy farces are notable for having survived over 2,000 years perhaps even coining the entire genre, situation comedy. Combining the outlandish scene set-ups with Vaudevillian prowess, "A Funny Thing..." is a laugh-a-minute concoction of bawdy puns, slapstick and cases of mistaken identity. First staged between Gypsy and Anyone Can Whistle, the show's super-slick book was written by Burt Shevelove (No, No, Nanette) and Larry Gelbart (Tootsie, MASH).

Sondheim's first musical where he created both the music and lyrics, the raucous score includes songs such as Comedy Tonight, Love I Hear, Free, The House Of Marcus Lycus and Pretty Little Picture.