A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
by Georgetown Palace Theatre
Dec. 15 - Dec. 17
Broadway’s greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville.
It's a nonstop laughfest in which Pseudolus, a crafty slave, struggles to win the hand of a beautiful, but slow-witted, courtesan named Philia for his young master, Hero, in exchange for freedom. The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors and a showgirl or two.
This unforgettable, hysterical musical allows a terrific ensemble of comedic actors to shine – “something for everyone, a comedy tonight!”
Initial Auditions for The Georgetown Palace’s production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will take place from Sunday, December 15 and Monday, December 16 with callbacks on Tuesday, December 17 on the PLAYHOUSE Stage.
The production is scheduled to open on Friday, March 21, 2025 and close on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Rehearsals are scheduled to begin on Monday, January 27, 2025.
- This show’s ASL performance is scheduled for March 29, 2025.
- Due to Easter, this production will have 2 performances on April 19. One matinee and one evening performance.
- There will not be a performance on Easter, April 20.
Director: Emily Taylor
Music Director: Lucas Lindberg
Choreographer: Jesee Smart
We are looking for talented and diverse performers of all ethnicities for all roles. We are looking for up to 18 actors aged 18 and above. In addition to the named roles, we are looking to cast 2-4 understudies. At this time in the process, we are unsure if our designated understudies would be guaranteed performances. Any guaranteed performances would be noted in an offer letter.
The Georgetown Palace desires to be as inclusive as possible and we enthusiastically encourage gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender and nonbinary actors to submit to audition for any roles listed. We also seek all races,ethnicities and abilities. Our character descriptions on the following pages are gender binary and are written with he/him or she/her. While they are limited in their writing, we hope that anyone who identifies with any of the roles, will come out and audition.
The Auditions:
Initial auditions will take place on the PLAYHOUSE Stage on December 15 from 6:30-10 pm and on December 16 from 6:30-10:00 pm.
Please note that at any time, these auditions could be video recorded for casting purposes only.
Participants will be singing and dancing in one visit. Please plan to be at the Palace for about 90 minutes once your audition time begins.
We will see 15 performers per 90 mins. The first part of the audition will be your song for the production team. The second part of your time slot will be learning the dance combination.
Performers will be able to sign up for Sunday evening or Monday evening, December 15 and 16, respectively.
Depending on where you fall in the order, you may not have much time to change between singing and dancing, so please come in your dance audition outfit so that we can get you in and out on time. Please dress in clothing that you can dance and move freely in. Please refrain from wearing jeans or restricting clothing for your dance audition. If auditioning for a female presenting role, we ask that you wear/bring jazz or ballet shoes for the dance portion. If auditioning for a male presenting role, please wear/bring jazz or ballroom shoes for the dance portion. If you do not have the requested shoes, sneakers will be acceptable.
Due to this format, it is imperative that you show up 15 mins before your audition time. Example: Your audition time is 6:45p, please show up by 6:30p to get signed in.
The vocal audition should consist of no more than one minute (16-32 bars) of a song of your choice keeping with the style of the show. Please factor that into your song choice as you prepare your audition. Singing something from the show is completely acceptable if you so choose, but we want to see what song you choose to highlight your talents. An accompanist will be provided, and we will also be able to connect pre-recorded music if you bring that with you. We will not accept an acapella audition. If using pre-recorded music, please make sure to have the exact cut you will be using cued up prior to entering the audition room and it shouldn’t include vocals. If using sheet music, please make sure it is in the correct key, with any cuts clearly marked and in a binder for the accompanist.
While we would like you to pick your own song, we understand it can sometimes be daunting for some people. If you are unable to pick a song, our music director has picked a song for you to sing should you want/need to use it.
General Male Facing Audition Cut
General Female Facing Audition Cut
A PDF of the sheet music is available for the music audition sides. Accompaniment files of the music will also be available soon to assist you in preparing for your audition (we will email everyone who has submitted their audition form when the accompaniment files are available). Please note that your audition side does not need to be memorized.
Callbacks:
Callbacks will take place on Tuesday, December 17 by invitation only from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM on the PLAYHOUSE Stage. Callbacks will be posted on the Georgetown Palace website as soon as possible after initial auditions are completed, and an email will be sent to all audition participants at the time of posting. Specific cuts of songs will be provided for callbacks for all characters.
A link to the website that holds the sides will be provided in the email.
Audition sign ups can be found HERE
If none of the auditions times listed work for your schedule, please fill out the form and add yourself to the waitlist. Send productions@georgetownpalace.com an email, and we’ll arrange an alternate audition time. If you are on the waitlist, please send an email explaining why – please don’t slip through the cracks if on the waiting list. Please follow up with an email. The list isn’t moderated daily.
When signing up for an audition slot please note any conflicts during the rehearsal or performance dates. Please note: conflicts do not necessarily negate the opportunity to be cast, but we must know about them up front to factor that into the casting decisions. Barring emergencies, additional conflicts added/disclosed after casting could result in dismissal from the production. Sunday rehearsals will only be planned for tech rehearsals immediately prior to opening, but please include Sunday afternoon conflicts for the rehearsal period so that in the event a Saturday must be canceled due to cast conflicts we will know whether a reschedule on Sunday is an option. Adding all of your conflicts after casting could result in your removal of the production.
Rehearsals:
Rehearsals begin Monday, January 27, 2025. Scripts and scores will be available at the first rehearsal. But those offered roles will receive a link to a digital copy. Rehearsals will typically be held Monday-Thursday evenings from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Sunday afternoon will only be an option in the event a Saturday must be canceled due to cast conflicts.
Performances:
Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p, and Sundays at 2p. Sometimes ticket demand causes us to add Saturday Matinee performances at 2p.
- This show’s ASL performance is scheduled for March 29, 2025.
- Due to Easter, this production will have 2 performances on Saturday, April 19. One matinee and one evening performance.
- There will not be a performance on Easter, April 20.
Casting:
Once casting is completed (typically 2-3 days after callbacks), emails will be sent to the actors that will be offered a role in the production. Once the full cast has accepted, everyone else who auditioned will be notified via email.
Compensation:
All actors will receive 2 comp tickets for the production.
All actors 16 and above who are offered a role in the show will be paid a non-union stipend.
(We are only looking at performers 18 and up for this production)
Health and Safety Protocols:
Everyone should stay home if they do not feel well. If you test positive for COVID 19, or suspect you have the flu, you should stay home and away from others until for 24 hours. Please monitor your symptoms for improvement and fever free (without meds). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.
We still recommend wearing a mask in rehearsals the day after you return from travel.
The Georgetown Palace Theatre is committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment in which all community members feel a sense of belonging and does not discriminate in casting practices on the basis of an individual’s ethnicity, age, gender, physical and cognitive ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, country of origin, or other factors. We strongly encourage candidates of all ages, abilities, gender, and ethnicities to audition.
Please see our operating standards at the following link:
Georgetown Palace Operating Standards
Everyone involved with the production must complete a background check, every 3 years at the Palace’s expense. If you are cast, you will receive a secure link where you can fill it out. There is no cost to you.
If cast, please note that we may ask you to provide your own show shoes unless we deem it is a specialty shoe. Personal undergarments will also be asked of the cast to provide for their own bodies.
The Georgetown Palace Theatre is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
If you have any questions, please email productions@georgetownpalace.com.
