A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will open at The New Candlelight Theatre on January 10th and will run until March 14th. Armed with the witty lyrics and toe-tapping tunes of legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, this irreverent production is one of the funniest musicals ever written- the perfect escape from our modern day troubles! Inspired by the comedic plays of ancient Roman playwright Plautus (251-183 BC), Forum tells the story of a slave named Pseudolus who attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master, Hero, charm the beautiful virgin girl next door. This farcical story features unforgettable songs like: "Comedy Tonight," "Everybody Ought to have a Maid," and "Lovely."

Leading the cast of Forum is Philadelphia actor Arthur Ryan as Pseudolus, the slave. Mr. Ryan has performed in Philadelphia theatres such as The Media Theatre and the Prince Music Theatre where he played "Chief Sitting Bull" in Annie Get Your Gun, starring Andrea McCardle. Since 1998, Mr. Ryan has entertained thousands of tourist as a historical interpreter and storyteller for Historic Philadelphia Inc.

The supporting cast for Forum features returning Candlelight favorites: Bob McDonald as Hysterium, Lauren Rooney as Philia, Joseph Kinsolving as Senex, AJ Garcia as Marcus Lycus, Melissa Joy Hart as Domina, David Wills as Erronius, Paul Goodman as a Protean, Erica Scanlon Harr as Panacea, Beth Wheeler as Virbrata and Calley Steele as Gymnasia.

New comers of the supporting cast include: Paris Nesbitt as Hero, Daniel Greenwood as Miles Gloriosus, Henry Porreca as Erronius, Mark Murphy and CJ Sikorsi as Proteans, Amanda McCrossin as Tintinabula, and Anna Rose Roisman and Marina Marx as The Geminae.

The production team is lead by director Mickey Sharpe along with Barrymore-nominated choreographer, Jody Anderson Miller. Musical direction is by Steve Weatherman, set and lighting design by Chris Alberts, costume design by A.J. Garcia and Jody Anderson Miller, and production stage management by Betsy Conner.

The New Candlelight Theatre is located in historic Ardentown, DE-five minutes from downtown Wilmington and 30 minutes from Center City, Philadelphia. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will open on January 10, 2009 and run until March 14, 2009. To purchase tickets, please call The New Candlelight Theatre box office at: 302-475-2313. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.newcandlelighttheatre.com.