Saint Louis University Theater opens its production of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum this weekend. The show promises to be an evening of zany vaudeville comedy.

The music and lyrics for the show were composed by Stephen Sondheim, well-known for his work on other popular musicals, such as Sweeny Todd and Putting it Together. Commenting on Sondheim’s reputation for creating quality shows, SLU Theater Director Greg Horton said, “People know when they see a Sondheim musical, they’ll have fun.”

Horton, an assistant professor in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, went on to praise this particular production for its “really strong cast.”

Horton added that the show is fun with lots of laughs, so that adults will enjoy it and “kids will really get a big kick out of it.”

The story is set in ancient Rome and revolves around a young boy, Hero, and his slave, Pseudolus. In an attempt to win his freedom, Pseudolus agrees to help his master win the favor of a certain girl, Philia.

In the course of doing this, several lies are told by Pseudolus-small ones which lead to larger ones which necessitate even larger ones. This behavior, in good musical comedy fashion, leads to several instances in which Pseudolus is nearly found out by the others.

One particularly important example of such an experience happens when Hero’s father, Senes, comes home unexpectedly when he is supposed to be out of the city to find Philia in his house.

This creates a need for yet another lie to be told, and this time it is in the form of what Horton refers to as a show-stopping song titled “Everybody Ought To Have A Maid.” The song involves Pseudolus trying to convince Senex that Philia is his maid and not Hero’s girlfriend.

Sean Hill, who plays Senex, credited the complex web of lies that serve as the basis of the plot for creating “a show everybody can come to and have a good time.”

Eventually, everything is resolved, but not before a few surprises.

Performances will take place on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18 and 19 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25 and 26 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $8 for general admission, $7 for seniors, and $5 for all students.