February 16, 2005
Purdue Theatre to perform Stephen Sondheim play
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Theatre will present public performances of Stephen Sondheim's "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" beginning at 8 p.m. Friday (Feb. 18) in Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse.
Evening performances also are scheduled for Saturday (Feb. 19) and Feb. 24-26, with all of those events beginning at 8 p.m. Additionally, a matinee performance is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 20).
Admission for each performance is $12 to $14 for students, $13 to $15 for senior citizens and $17 to $19 for the general public. Tickets for groups of eight or more are available, as well, at $7 for each student and $11 for each member of the general public. Group tickets must be reserved in advance by calling Lori Sparger, Purdue Theatre marketing director, at (765) 494-3084.
Tickets are on sale at the Loeb Box Office in Stewart Center or by calling (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. Tickets also are available online at Ticketmaster.com.
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," which features music and lyrics by Sondheim, is based on a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Inspired by the works of Roman playwright Plautus, the fast-paced farce combines classical humor with the energy of classic American vaudeville.
The play originally opened on Broadway in 1962.
David Swan, from the New York metropolitan area, will be the director. He has compiled directing credits from off-Broadway shows and from the national tour of "They're Playing Our Song" with Erin Moran from the TV show "Happy Days." His wife, Kate Swan, is the choreographer of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." She was dance captain for the Broadway production and national tour of "Beauty and the Beast."
Jonathan Swoboda from the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, Calif., serves as music director. He has directed the music in previous Purdue Theatre shows, including "Into the Woods" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
The production is presented with support from the Tippecanoe Arts Federation, Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Writer: Aaron Martin, (765) 496-3133, martinac@purdue.edu
Source: Lori Sparger, (765) 494-3084, theatre@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Contact Lori Sparger, Purdue Theatre marketing director, at (765) 494-3084, theatre@purdue.edu, for more information.
PHOTO CAPTION:
From left, Marcus Lycus (Asher Byron) invites the young slave Pseudolus (Ryan Sturm) to patronize his "house of love" as Pseudolus swoons under the attention of Vibrata (Christina Mathews) and Tintinabula (Melody Dudding) in a scene from Purdue Theatre's production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." Public performances of the play run Feb. 18-26 in Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse. (Purdue Theatre photo)
A publication-quality photo is available at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/+2005/theatre-forum.jpg
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