MONMOUTH – The Theater At Monmouth will close its 2005 season with Shevelove, Gelbart and Sondheim’s musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

The writing is a creative mix of orchestrated chaos and comic genius, accompanied by entertaining music.

Directed by Jeri Pitcher, with musical direction by Rosalea Kimball, the cast will feature several summer-company favorites, including David Greenham, Bill Van Horn, Dennis A. Price, Mark S. Cartier and Dustin Tucker. In addition, local favorite performers Kathleen Nation, Frank Omar and Andy Tolman are scheduled to appear.

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” based on the comedies of Plautus, opened on Broadway in 1962. It won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Starring Zero Mostel, Jack Guilford and Michael Crawford, the show ran for more than three years, still the longest run of a Stephen Sondheim musical on Broadway.

The play tells the story of Pseudolus, a Roman slave who longs to buy his freedom. When his owner, Hero, spies the girl of his dreams, Pseudolus strikes a deal with him: the girl for his freedom. Never mind that the girl is a courtesan who has been sold to a boasting captain, Miles Gloriosis, and that Hero’s parents would forbid such a romance. The plan is set, and Pseudolus, his fellow slave, Hysterium, and a zany cast of characters lie, cheat and steal their way into a ridiculous and hilarious mess.

Since some of the situations might be unsuitable for young children, the show should be considered a PG-rated production, according to the theater.

The performance schedule for the show is Sept. 22-24, 29, 30, and Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m., and Sept. 25, and Oct. 1 and 2 at 2 p.m. Call 933-9999 for tickets.

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