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Stephen Sondheim has almost never been more popular than in the two years since his passing in November 2021. In that time, celebrated revivals of “Company,” “Into the Woods,” and “Sweeney Todd” have come to Broadway, and successful remounting of “Assassins” and “Merrily We Roll Along” have played Off-Broadway, which is a testament to the enduring appeal of his works.

This fall will once again spotlight Sondheim. The tremendously successful Off-Broadway run of “Merrily” starring Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez, and Daniel Radcliffe opens on Broadway on October 10, which will mark the first remounting since its original, unsuccessful run in 1981. In addition, his final musical “Here We Are,” which is based on two Luis Buñuel films—“The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie” and “The Exterminating Angel”—will have its highly-anticipated world premiere Off-Broadway, opening on October 22.

In honor of another “season of Sondheim,” take a look back at every single Tony...

What do the 76th annual Tonys have in common with the 17th annual awards?

Stephen Sondheim.

The late, great influential composer is represented in this year’s Tonys with the acclaimed, popular revivals of his 1979 classic “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Street” earning eight nominations and 1987’s “Into the Woods” receiving six.

Sixty years ago, it was Sondheim’s musical comedy “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” which dominated the Tony Awards with six wins: best musical, best producer for Harold Prince, best director for George Abbott, best author for Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, leading actor for Zero Mostel and featured actor for David Burns. Ironically, Sondheim failed to earn a nomination for best original score (music and/or lyrics) written for the theater. He would not win for his tunes until “Company” in 1971. Vying in that category were “Stop the World I Wanted...

The great actor Robert Picardo, a frequent Joe Dante collaborator and long time Star Trek hologram, joins Josh and Joe to discuss movies that compel him to sit and watch all the way through any time they just happen to be on.

Also… Josh and Bob discuss the best cheesesteak joints in Philly.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

The Howling (1981)

A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)

A Hard Day’s Night (1964)

The Running Jumping and Standing Still Film (1959)

Swing Time (1936)

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

Cabaret (1972)

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

On The Waterfront (1954)

Some Like It Hot (1959)

Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)

Innerspace (1987)

Ordinary People (1980)

Hollywood Boulevard (1976)

Rock ‘N’ Roll High School (1978)

The Godfather (1972)

The Godfather Part II (1974)

Jaws (1975)

The Wiz (1978)

The Godfather Part III (1990)

Alien (1979)

Star Wars (1977)

Death Becomes Her (1992)

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

I Knew It Was You (2009)

Touch Of Evil (1958)

Citizen Kane (1941)

The Day The Earth Stood Still...

Director Bryan Forbes tries his hand at comedy. His nostalgic Victorian farce features an eclectic choice of Brit stars — established greats John Mills & Ralph Richardson, the freshly-minted Michael Caine, reigning jester Peter Sellers and even a debut for the collegiate pranksters Peter Cook & Dudley Moore. It’s a beaut of a production with a charming John Barry music score… but the result yields more indulgent smiles than out-and-out laughs.

The Wrong Box

Region A+B Blu-ray

Powerhouse Indicator

1966 / Color / 1:75 widescreen / 105 min. / Street Date November 23, 2018 / available from Amazon UK / £14.99

Starring: John Mills, Ralph Richardson, Michael Caine, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Nanette Newman, Tony Hancock, Peter Sellers, Wilfrid Lawson, Thorley Walters, Gerald Sim, Irene Handl, Norman Bird, John Le Mesurier, Norman Rossington, Diane Clare, Tutte Lemkow, Charles Bird, Vanda Godsell, Jeremy Lloyd, James Villiers, Graham Stark, Dick Gregory, Valentine Dyall, Leonard Rossiter, André Morell, Temperance Seven, Andrea Allan, Juliet Mills.

Cinematography:...

Audiences are in for an outrageously hilarious time as Geva Theatre Center presents A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum with a book by Bert Shevelove and Larry Gelbart and music and lyrics byStephen Sondheim and directed by Melissa Rain Anderson in the Elaine P. Wilson Stage from tonight, October 4, through November 6. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below...

Today in 1962, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opened at the Alvin Theatre now the Neil Simon Theatre, where it ran for 964 performances. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus, specifically Pseudolus, Miles Gloriosus and Mostellaria, the musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. The musical's original 1963 Broadway run won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book. A Funny Thing has enjoyed several Broadway and West End revivals and was made into a successful film starring the original lead of the musical, Zero Mostel.

Two River Theater presents A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, the Tony Award-winning musical farce written by comedy giants Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by theater legend Stephen Sondheim. The director is Jessica Stone, the choreographer is Denis Jones, and the musical director is Gary Adler. The press opening is Friday, November 20 at 8pm and performances will continue through Sunday, December 13 in Two River's Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, NJ. BroadwayWorld has a first official look at New York stage stars Christopher Fitzgerald and Michael Urie in action below...

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the full cast and creative team for its production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the Tony Award-winning musical farce written by comedy giants Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by theater legend Stephen Sondheim. The director is Jessica Stone Absurd Person Singular, the choreographer is Denis Jones Honeymoon in Vegas, and the musical director is Gary Adler Avenue Q.

Today in 1962, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opened at the Alvin Theatre now the Neil Simon Theatre, where it ran for 964 performances. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus, specifically Pseudolus, Miles Gloriosus and Mostellaria, the musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. The musical's original 1963 Broadway run won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book. A Funny Thing has enjoyed several Broadway and West End revivals and was made into a successful film starring the original lead of the musical, Zero Mostel.

Today in 1962, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opened at the Alvin Theatre now the Neil Simon Theatre, where it ran for 964 performances. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus, specifically Pseudolus, Miles Gloriosus and Mostellaria, the musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. The musical's original 1963 Broadway run won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book. A Funny Thing has enjoyed several Broadway and West End revivals and was made into a successful film starring the original lead of the musical, Zero Mostel.

Bay Street Theatre presents the final production of the 2013 Mainstage Season with A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, beginning August 6 and running through September 1. The show stars Peter Scolari with Conrad John Schuck and Jackie Hoffman. The book is by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim music direction by Ethyl Will and directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below...

Bay Street Theatre presents the final production of the 2013 Mainstage Season with A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, beginning August 6 and running through September 1. The show stars Peter Scolari with Conrad John Schuck and Jackie Hoffman. The book is by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim music direction by Ethyl Will and directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge.

Bay Street Theatre presents the final production of the 2013 Mainstage Season with A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, beginning tonight, August 6 and running through September 1. The show stars Peter Scolari with Conrad John Schuck and Jackie Hoffman. The book is by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim music direction by Ethyl Will and directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge.

Broadway producer and Sag Harbor community local Stewart Lane has been cast as Eronius in Bay Street Theatre's presentation of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, beginning August 6 and running through September 1. The show stars Peter Scolari with Conrad John Schuck and Jackie Hoffman. The book is by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim music direction by Ethyl Will and directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge.

Bay Street Theatre presents the final production of the 2013 Mainstage Season with A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, beginning August 6 and running through September 1. The show stars Peter Scolari with Conrad John Schuck and Jackie Hoffman. The book is by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim music direction by Ethyl Will and directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge.

Today in 1962, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opened at the Alvin Theatre now the Neil Simon Theatre, where it ran for 964 performances. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus, specifically Pseudolus, Miles Gloriosus and Mostellaria, the musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. The musical's original 1963 Broadway run won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book. A Funny Thing has enjoyed several Broadway and West End revivals and was made into a successful film starring the original lead of the musical, Zero Mostel.

Today in 1962, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opened at the Alvin Theatre now the Neil Simon Theatre, where it ran for 964 performances. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus, specifically Pseudolus, Miles Gloriosus and Mostellaria, the musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. The musical's original 1963 Broadway run won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book. A Funny Thing has enjoyed several Broadway and West End revivals and was made into a successful film starring the original lead of the musical, Zero Mostel.

Larry Gelbart, the legendary, Oscar-nominated writer behind Tootsie, Oh, God!, and the first four seasons of M*A*S*H*, died today at his home in Beverly Hills. Gelbart also won a Tony in 1963 for co-authoring the smash musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum with Burt Shevelove and Stephen Sondheim. In 1997 he released a memoir, Laughing Matters: On Writing Mash, Tootsie, Oh, God!, and a Few Other Funny Things. Before his death, he contributed as a blogger for The Huffington Post. [Los Angeles Times]...

Larry Gelbart, who created the classic TV adaptation of Robert Altman's "M*A*S*H" and whose talented comedy writing stretched from the days of radio to the big screen and cutting-edge cable shows, died of cancer at his Beverly Hills home on Friday. He was 81.

Gelbart, the principal writer on "M*A*S*H" during the first four years of the hit CBS series, was responsible for 97 episodes of the show, one of TV's most literate comedies. He also directed some early episodes.

Beginning as a gag writer in days of radio and honing his comic craft for such talents as Jack Carson and Bob Hope, Gelbart was a versatile stylist who succeeded in a variety of mediums.

Gelbart won an Emmy with co-producer Gene Reynolds for "M*A*S*H" as well as three WGA Awards for the episodes he wrote. He picked up two Tonys for...

Larry Gelbart, the comedy writer who developed the TV series "M*A*S*H" and co-wrote the film "Tootsie," died Friday morning at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 81.

Gelbart was diagnosed with cancer in June, his wife told the Los Angeles Times.

He co-wrote the book "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" with Burt Shevelove and watched the work go on to become a Broadway smash in 1962 with aid from S...

--Amy Kaufman...