A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum starring James Corden?

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 11:42am

From Baz Bamigboyes Twitter


Baz Bamigboye ?@BazBam 2h

Stephen Sondheim so keen to get @JKCorden for Funny Thing.Ace designer Bob Crowley will design the production .All deals about to be signed


Baz Bamigboye ?@BazBam 2h

Alex Timbers who directed brill Here Lies Love @PublicTheaterNY ,also headed to@NationalTheatre ,will direct @JKCorden in A Funny Thing...


EXCLUSIVE James Corden @JKCorden negotiating to play Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum on Broadway in Spring 2015
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Updated On: 5/22/14 at 11:42 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 11:43am

His name was bandied about as an ideal Pseudolus in a prior Forum thread. He really is ideal.

[Kad]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 11:44am

No idea who Baz Bamigboyes is, but I very much like the idea of a Timbers-directed production starring James Corden and hope it's true.

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 11:46am

He is the showbiz correspondent for the Daily Mail in the UK.

Pretty reliable source of theatre gossip

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 11:46am

You've never heard of Baz? REALLY?!

BTW actual link: https://twitter.com/BazBam/status/469468704930295808

[Brick]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 11:53am

What perfect casting.

The idea of Timbers directing throw me a bit. Not because I'm not a fan - I am very much so - but the style of humour seems so different. Wonder how that came about.

[dreaming]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 12:01pm

I'm sick of Timbers' style. He never does anything different-I can tell he's the director (it's become a little like Doyle was for awhile-you knew what was going to happen). Corden is a fine choice. (I am not a big fan of this show as it is, but I'm not sure I'll be any more interested if Timbers directs. Bloody Bloody was exciting, I detested Rocky, and Here Lies Love has its moments. But overall I find his style highly predictable.)

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 12:02pm

It does seem a bit odd for Timbers to now be attached, especially since Roundabout had shown interest in bringing in the all-male production from Williamstown. But whether it's that production or a new one I agree with those who think James Corden is an excellent choice.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 12:17pm

I'm sick of Timbers' style. He never does anything different

That is, simply put, moronic. The directing styles for Rocky and Peter and the Starcatcher are completely different Bloody Bloody (which I hated) was also very different.

I can tell he's the director (it's become a little like Doyle was for awhile-you knew what was going to happen)

And how is this different than any other director? I can tell a Des McAnuff, Rob Ashford, Kathleen Marshall, Susan Stroman, or Jack O'Brien show a mile away. They all have pretty signature styles and techniques they use over and over again. I actually think Timbers is one of the few who DOESN'T rely on the same tricks every time he directs.

[dreaming]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 12:22pm

I am NOT a fan. Calling me moronic does not make you look more intelligent. I could sure tell in Rocky it was the same person who'd done "Bloody Bloody" and "Peter and the Starcatcher" (particularly "Bloody Bloody"-the frenetic movement and the design elements are very similar.)

The only things of his I liked as pieces anyway were Peter and Bloody Bloody.

I can't ALWAYS tell a McAnuff, actually.

I think I'm just a little frustrated that no director ever tries a different style-and I think Timbers is overrated and all wrong. (But he's the "Flavor of the Moment".)

[Kad]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 12:35pm

I think Timbers is one of the few directors currently working who is genuinely able to consistently surprise and innovate- even in his misses like Love's Labour's Lost.

[chrisampm2]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 12:45pm

Dreaming, please describe the giveaways that let you know Rocky, Peter & the Star Catcher, and Bloody Bloody...were directed by the same person.

Updated On: 5/22/14 at 12:45 PM

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 12:46pm

I can't ALWAYS tell a McAnuff, actually.

Well then your eye can't be too sharp, can it? McAnuff is probably the MOST recognizable. Jersey Boys, Farnsworth Invention, Guys and Dolls, and Jesus Christ Superstar all had the exact same aesthetic. And yet you think there are glaring similarities in Timbers' completely different approaches to the aforementioned shows? Hilarious.

Updated On: 5/22/14 at 12:46 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 12:50pm

A revival of a old-fashioned musical comedy like Forum would be an excellent challenge for Timbers to demonstrate his skill, too - given that he has only directed new works in NYC. His most indulgent flourishes were in Bloody Bloody or Love's Labour's, which he also co-wrote.

But Rocky, Starcatcher, and Here Lies Love are extremely dissimilar, from each other and the aforementioned two other shows.

And there was also Pee Wee's Playhouse, which was its own thing.

I think Timbers has proven that he create a theatrical experience unique to what the piece needs.

Updated On: 5/22/14 at 12:50 PM

[dreaming]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 1:03pm

Oh bjh, you know I exist only to amuse you.

Much as I love Sondheim typically, this is probably my least favorite musical of his. I never got the love for it aside from "Comedy Tonight".

It would be lovely if they could find a way to make it less about the objectification of women (through Philia) and the annoying wife stereotype. I mean part of why I detest this musical so much is it feels OLD and sexist.

Updated On: 5/22/14 at 01:03 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 1:07pm

So your problem with Timbers isn't really his ability, or use of design or movement.


Edit: I see you removed your statement about the musical being the perfect piece for Timbers, because it is "a sexist piece for MEN."

Updated On: 5/22/14 at 01:07 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 1:07pm

"A sexist piece for men?" What the what the what the WHAT?

James Corden would be wonderful in Forum.

Alex Timbers would have to have a lot of fun with low comedy.

[dreaming]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 1:10pm

I saw it twice in its last revival-and both times was struck as a woman by how negatively the female characters are portrayed. It's really offensive.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 1:44pm

Blame it on Aristophanes.

[Kad]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 1:46pm

Well, blame it on Plautus. And commedia dell arte, where all the stock character really come from.

Updated On: 5/22/14 at 01:46 PM

[dreaming]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 1:46pm

Oh, I do. I've read the original piece. It's just not funny here and now. (Well to a woman it sure isn't.)

[Kad]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 1:49pm

I've never actually seen feminist critique of the musical before.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 3:22pm

I never saw a purple cow either.

Baz Bamigboyes was clearly onto something. It's it the NY Times now, with confirmation by Chris Boneau.


NY TIMES: James Corden in Talks to Return to Broadway in ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 3:36pm

I'm glad they listened to my suggestion on this board. yuk, yuk.

[WayTooBroadway]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 4:10pm

As long as they don't use a stamp to sign my Playbill, I'll be okay with Corden and Timbers.