MANSFIELD — Comedy tonight! Opening Feb. 21, Emmy Award-winning and Tony-nominated composer, director, and producer Jeff Richmond leads a star-studded revival of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Renaissance Theatre.
Also featuring Broadway’s Kyle Selig and film/television actors Brian Stepanek and John Lutz, this limited run revival includes a 24-piece orchestra and a talented local cast.
Performances are Saturday, February 21 at 7:30 PM; Sunday, February 22 at 2:30 PM; Friday, February 27 at 7:30 PM; Saturday, February 28 at 7:30 PM; and Sunday, March 1 at 2:30 PM.
An Ohio native, Richmond is best known for his work on Mean Girls, Saturday Night Live, and 30 Rock, as well as Netflix’s The 4 Seasons, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Girls5eva.
Since first appearing on the Renaissance stage opposite Broadway’s Jennifer Simard (Tony nominee, Death Becomes Her) in the theatre’s 2023 production of Hello, Dolly!, Richmond has joined an elite group of show business professionals who now call the Renaissance Theatre their home, most recently appearing with comedian Judy Gold and Broadway actors Bruce Sabath and Lisa Fishman in the Mansfield Symphony’s 2025 collaboration of Fiddler on the Roof.
“The Renaissance has created a place which allows professional performers to return to their roots on the stage, where they get the opportunity to collaborate with, mentor, and hopefully inspire young performers to continue their love of the arts in any form. In the end, it would be great if that helped to create a generation who not only loved being directly involved in theatre, but also found it important to support it however they can. And that’s just good for everyone and all the arts, ” Richmond said.
As a benefit for the Renaissance Theatre, this production of Stephen Sondheim’s smash comedy hit features a number of special guest stars known for their roles in film, TV, comedy, and musical theatre:
- Brian Stepanek – Disney’s The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Kim Possible, Nickelodeon’s The Loud House and Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and Dawn; films Transformers, Over the Hedge, the Lemony Snicket Series, and the Academy Award-winning Green Book
- Kyle Selig – Broadway’s Mean Girls, Book of Mormon, Water for Elephants, and Sondheim’s Old Friends, as well as Nickelodeon’s Monster High: The Movie
- John Lutz – Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Seth Myers, 30 Rock, The Good Wife, Mapleworth Murders
Winner of six Tony awards, Stephen Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is built for nonstop laughs. Mistaken identities, outrageous characters, and physical comedy collide with iconic songs like “Comedy Tonight” and a fast-paced story line that’s part-burlesque, part-Vaudeville, and completely fall-out-of-your-seat hilarious.
Sponsors & Opportunities
This production is part of the Park National Bank Broadway Series and sponsored by J&B Acoustical, Metronome Music, and Ohio Mutual Insurance Group. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this special event and provide businesses with a unique opportunity to showcase their brands to thousands of people throughout the run of the show. For more information, contact Renaissance Development/Executive Affairs Coordinator Grace Reigel at grace@mansfieldtickets.com.
Ticket Information
Tickets start at just $15. Special add-ons are also available for an additional cost: VIP tickets include exclusive production swag; a pre-show Opening Night Reception will give special insights into the making of this production as well as a signed cast poster; and the Ren’s signature Date Night package makes any performance special with luxury chocolates and drinks.
Tickets are available now at www.rentickets.org, by calling 419-522-2726, or by visiting the Renaissance Theatre Box Office at 138 Park Avenue West, Mansfield.