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.” It tells the bawdy story of the slave Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. The original production opened in 1962 and played 964 performances – still the longest Broadway run for a Stephen Sondheim-written musical. Co-author Larry Gelbart is perhaps best-known for his Emmy-winning writing for the long-running CBS series M*A*S*H.

The story concerns Frederic, who, having celebrated his 21st birthday (or so he thinks), is to be released from his apprenticeship to a band of tenderhearted pirates. He meets Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, and the two young people fall instantly in love. Frederic finds out, however, that he was born on February 29, and so, technically, he only has a birthday each leap year. His apprenticeship indentures state that he remains apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday, and so he must serve for another 63 years. Mabel agrees to wait for him faithfully, the pirates try to steer clear of the pursuing police, and Mabel’s friends keep things lively and tuneful.