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Weighty affairs will just have to wait!
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A funny thing happens at Venice Theatre April 5-24, 2016
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Venice, FL, March 17, 2016 – Venice Theatre is delighted to present the Tony Award winning musical
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum on its MainStage April 5 – April 24, 2016. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.venicestage.com or by calling 941-488-1115. Prices are $28 for adults, $15 for college students, and $13 for youth through 12th grade. Discounted rates are available for groups of 20 or more.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is the first musical for which Stephen Sondheim wrote both the music and lyrics. It was 1962 when he teamed up with book writers Burt Shevelove (No, No, Nanette) and Larry Gelbart (M*A*S*H) to create this bawdy musical farce. As the catchy opening number says, it has “something for everyone!” It won the 1962 Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical. Of note, every actor who has opened in the role of Pseudolus on Broadway has won a Best Leading Actor Tony Award for his performance. Those three actors are Zero Mostel who originated the role; Phil Silvers who starred in the 1972 revival; and Nathan Lane who starred in the 1996 revival.
The plot is inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus and tells the story of a slave named Pseudolus (played by Rik Robertson) who schemes to win his freedom by helping his young master Hero (Patrick Mounce) win the love of the beautiful Philia who lives next door (Grace Vitale). Next door happens to be a brothel, hence the theatre is giving a mild warning about adult situations. They’re all in good fun, but parents of young children might want to make this a date night rather than family night.
Director Ron Ziegler, Music Director Rick Bogner, Choreographer Dewayne Barret, and Costume Designer Nicholas Hartman have some fun tricks up their sleeves to make this classic Broadway hit fresh and funny.
Again, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opens Tuesday April 5 and will run through Sunday April 24, 2016. The theatre is located at 140 W. Tampa Ave. on the island in Venice. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and one hour before all performances.
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart
PRODUCTION STAFF
Director – Ron Ziegler
Choreographer – Dewayne Barrett
Music Director – Rick Bogner
Stage Manager – Mike Campbell
Technical Director/Lighting Designer – John Andzulis
Scenic Designer – Tim Wisgerhof
Costume Designer – Nicholas Hartman
Sound Designer – Dorian Boyd CAST
Prologus & Pseudolus – Rik Robertson |
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About Venice Theatre
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Venice Theatre is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to making a dramatic impact on all stages of life. The second-largest of 10,000 community theatres in the United States, it is located at 140 W. Tampa Ave. in Venice, FL. Its MainStage offers seating for 432 patrons and features musicals, plays, concerts and special events. Its Yvonne Pinkerton Theatre seats 90 patrons and is home to the theatre’s “Generations,” Stage II and Cabaret Series. In addition to providing entertainment to the community, Venice Theatre offers a wide range of education and outreach programs for children and adults.
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