A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1996 Broadway Revival Cast)
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the first Broadway show for whichStephen Sondheimwrote both music and lyrics, has proven to be one of the master's most enduring creations, appearing in community theaters and, in 1996, in this full-scale Broadway revival. In the role of the scheming slave Pseudolous, Tony-winnerNathan Laneisn't the maelstorm that was Zero Mostel in the1962 original Broadway cast, giving a subtler, neurotic performance. While one might miss the sheer force of Mostel's personality driving these madcap antics (based on theRoman comedies of Plautus), Lane's approach allows the show to become more of an ensemble vehicle. In a gender- and race-neutral move, Lane was subsequently replaced on Broadway by Whoopi Goldberg.--David Horiuchi