A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, now playing at Florida Rep through March 16, is a nine-time Tony Award-winning musical farce that takes audiences back to the zany streets of Ancient Rome with a witty book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart and music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
"This is the show that put comedy back in musical comedy," said Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo, "and we're very happy to have the cast with us to celebrate our 10th anniversary at the Roman Forum event."
Florida Rep's Forum stars Stephen Mo Hanan, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the original cast of Cats in 1983, and joining Hanan are a handful of Florida Rep regulars (Mark Chambers, Margot Moreland and Jason Parrish) as well as some faces brand new to southwest Florida from New York and around the country. Also featured in the cast is Douglas Ullman, Jr. who comes to Florida Rep after a long run in the current Off Broadway revival of The Fantasticks.
Inspired by the Rep's production of Forum, Roman Forum 2008 is a toga party that encourages guests to embrace the theme and come dressed in classic Roman wear. The event begins at 6:30pm, and shortly after the gates open, the cast will kick off the event with performances of two of the play's most memorable, show-stopping musical numbers, "Comedy Tonight" and "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid."
In addition to the Roman-themed festivities that include auctions, toga models and games of chance, there will be no shortage of food and wine. On one end of Bay Street guests will sample wine and spirits, party at the frat house with the boys of Delta Theta on the other end, and right in the center of it all, dance under torchlight in the Roman Coliseum.
Roman Forum 2008 takes the River District by storm on Saturday March 1st from 6:30 to 10:30pm on Bay Street between Jackson and Hendry under the Florida Rep marquee.
A Table of Ten is $1,500 and individual tickets are available for $150. Tickets are now available online at www.floridarep.org, or by calling the box office at 239-332-4488 or toll free at 877-787-8053.
Roman Forum 2008 is generously sponsored by: FineMark National Bank & Trust, Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency, Arthur Zupko, John & Marjorie Madden, Dan & Shirley Valentine, Hotel Indigo, Julie K. Smith and Steven B. Smith, E. Bruce Strayhorn, Stilwell Enterprises and Gerald & Jan Roberts. Additional sponsorship comes from Florida Weekly, Noise, Inc., The News Press, Red Salon & Spa and Mr. Foamy. |
