James Corden officially out of Sondheim revival
As previously reported, Tony winner James Corden was in negotiations to play Pseudolus in an upcoming Broadway revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. However, it has now been confirmed that Mr Corden will indeed replace Craig Ferguson as the host on CBS' "The Late Late Show" when the former host departs in December.
This unfortunately means that Corden is now unavailable and it looks as though this has caused the revival to come to a screeching halt. Chris Boneau, a spokesperson for the musical, released a statement saying: "Despite the total commitment from Stephen Sondheim, our director, Alex Timbers and our entire creative team... we have decided to postpone the production this season."
The Nederlander Theatre had up to this point been on hold for the musical revival and has now been freed up for possible alternative Broadway shows looking to debut on the Great White Way in Spring 2015.
Corden was initially lined up to play the scheming slave Pseudolus, who has in the past been portrayed on Broadway by actors such as Zero Mostal, Phil Silvers, Nathan Lane, and even Whoopi Goldberg. All three actors who originated the role on Broadway went on to win the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. It follows the slave Pseudolus as he attempts to win his freedom from the henpecked Senex and his overbearing wife Domina. Just as he learns that his master's idiot son has fallen in love with a courtesan, he uses the opportunity to negotiate his release.
The musical first opened on Broadway on 8 May 1962 at the Alvin Theatre. The show earned six Tony Awards including Best Musical. It marked Sondheim's first musical as both composer and lyricist.
James Corden in 'One Man, Two Guv'nors'Originally published on