A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Applause Musical Library) [Paperback]

Stephen Sondheim (Composer)

Book Description

Series: Applause Musical Library | Publication Date: April 1, 2000

Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart Introduction by Larry Gelbart "This brazenly retro Broadway musical, inspired by Plautus, is as timeless as comedy itself." -Vincent Canby, The New York Times "The most urbane and literate musical comedy text ever conceived." -John Simon, New York magazine

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'The funniest, bawdiest and most enchanting musical that Plautus, with a little help from Stephen Sondheim..., ever wrote... The American theatre has not had a lyricist like this since Hart or Porter' New York Times" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Stephen Sondheim made his name writing the lyrios of West Side Story and Gypsy, before going on to create Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, Assassins and Passion. All are published or distributed by NHB. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Applause Books; First edition. edition (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557830649
• ISBN-13: 978-1557830647
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Composers > Sondheim
  • #24 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Historical Period > Modern Popular
  • #24 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Forms & Genres > Musicals

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captures the Essence of Forum, and then some!, June 21, 2001

By 

"psyges" (Indiana, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Applause Musical Library) (Paperback)

"Forum" is one of those rare musical comedies...one of those we hardly ever stuble across. "Forum" is actually funny. And I don't just mean "haha" funny. I mean roll in the aisles and laugh until it hurts funny. The jokes just never stop coming-even during the musical numbers!

Here, one can see the springboard for three Tony award winning broadway productions: the script. This is the foundation of "Forum's" comic genius, with a combination of low-brow vaudeville and high-brow wordplay. Comedy in this show hits you at every level in every direction!

The best part is that several songs cut from the show are included in an appendix. There is also a great introduction that explains that long and rough journey "Forum" took before it became a huge hit.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Whole LOT of FUNNY things happen on the way to the forum!, October 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Vocal Selections) (Sheet music)

True love, true lust, a pimp, a pauper, fun and frolic, mystery and mayhem, and just when you think there is no hope for a fairytale ending (as they say in the play "we'll never find happiness!""Well, we'll just have to be happy without it!") a happy ending (A total surprise to everyone including the cast!)!

Based on a Greek comedy (think B.C!), and revamped in the early 60's with music by Sondheim (Into The Woods, West Side Story), and script by Gelbart (*M*A*S*H*), the play stays true to it's root's (with every male in a dress, O.K. toga!) but throws in a lil' of that almost, but not quite to the edge 60's humor (take for instance when three cast members all end up in a wedding gown, but one was not exactly born to be a bride-if you know what I mean!)

If you love Shakespeare, and Austin Powers, or if you're looking for something in-between, try "Funny Thing"!

This play keeps you on your toes with it's many twists and turns, hilarious cases of mistaken identity, and out right tummy ticklers.

It's sheer fun!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, January 17, 2011

By 

alias76 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Applause Musical Library) (Paperback)

This book was in great condition when I got it. Easy to read, no written notes or highlights, and no tears on any of the pages! Like new