A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM

Sondheim finally got the opportunity to create both music and lyrics with his show A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. During the out of town tryout, audiences hated it. He rewrote the opening several times, and each time, it was met with responding silence until… Comedy Tonight, one of the most memorable openings of any musical. Finally the audience knew they they were in for an evening of delight. It went on to garner him his first tony award win for best musical.

ANYONE CAN WHISTLE

Anyone Can Whistle was one of Sondheim's first flops, but arguably has some of the best music he has written. Created with book writer and friend Arthur Laurets, the show centers around an economically depressed town who's corrupt mayor decides to create a fake miracle in order to attract tourists. It was touted as a satire on conformity and the insanity of the so-called sane... sound familiar?