A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the popular Broadway musical comedy about love and chicanery in Ancient Rome, will be presented by Coastal Carolina University Theater on Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. in Wheelwright Auditorium. Admission is $10 per person, and $5 for all students under the age of 18.

The show, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, is drawn from the works of the ancient Roman satirist Titus Maccius Plautus (254-184 B.C.), who practically invented "low" comedy and established many of the characters and situations that became the staples of slapstick - the domineering wife, the hen-pecked husband, the self-important braggart, the crafty liar, etc.

The plot revolves around Pseudolus, a slave who will do almost anything to gain his freedom. Pseudolus is left in charge of his owner's young son who has fallen madly in love with a beautiful courtesan. The young boy promises Pseudolus his freedom if he can arrange a marriage before his father returns. Pseudolus agrees, but not even the conniving slave can foresee the tangled web that he is about to weave.

Coastal's production features a large cast led by music professor David Bankston as Pseudolus, plus more than a dozen students. The show is directed by Coastal theater instructor Greg London. Other Coastal professors who have major responsibilities in the production are Philip Powell, conductor; Anne Denbow-Gilbert, musical director; Robin Stephens, choreographer; Tymberley Wittrig, scenic design; Melanie Schuessler, costume design; and Holly Littlejohn, lighting design.

For ticket information, contact the Wheelwright Box Office at (843) 349-2502.