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The SLO Rep Theatre Presents: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Originally produced on Broadway by Harold Prince

August 10 – September 9, 2018
Wed-Sun @ 7 pm
Sat & Sun @ 2 pm

Winner of the 1963 Tony Award for Best Musical

Sondheim’s joyous, musical romp through Rome has desperate lovers, scheming neighbors and secrets behind every toga!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a nonstop laugh-fest in which Pseudolus, a crafty slave, struggles to win the hand of a beautiful 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 of course, a showgirl or two along the way.

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 the time-tested, 2000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright, Plautus, with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville, incomparable music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and hilarious book by Larry Gelbart and Burt Shevelove.

This show is available by season subscription only until July 16th. Season Subscriptions include tickets for all six mainstage season shows at one low price. For more information about purchasing a Season Subscription, click HERE.

Valley Queen at SLO Brew

Opening Support: Black Match

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The full-length debut from Los Angeles-based band Valley Queen, Supergiant takes its title from the most massive and luminous yet fastest-burning stars in the universe. “The song ‘Supergiant’ is about how we’re all made up of the same stuff as stars, and I liked the idea of tying the whole album together with that metaphor,” says Carol. “It takes all the drama you hear on the record—the aggressive, chaotic moments, and the more beautiful or quieter moments—and puts it all into a more galactic perspective.”

The first iteration of Valley Queen formed not long after Carol moved to L.A. and crossed paths with Neil Wogensen through the local music scene. With Shawn Morones and drummer Gerry Doot later joining the lineup, the band named themselves Valley Queen in a nod to the region where ancient Egyptians buried their deceased matriarchs. They released the singles “In My Place” and “High Expectations,” as well as 2017 EP Destroyer to widespread critical acclaim. The band also supported artists including Laura Marling and Thao & the Get Down Stay Down on tour. Musically and creatively, they were in a place they never dreamed of.

The growing success earned them a record deal—a dream finally coming to fruition—but Carol was unable to find the creative cohesiveness she knew she needed to make the record. “I wondered how to record the record. I believed in myself but I had also believed in the people around me. I write these songs in solitude but Valley Queen is not my solo project. I thrived in the collaboration. I came back from these new tours feeling creatively depleted, like something important was missing.”

Carol knew ultimately what needed to happen. Like a parent knowing what’s best for their child, she understood that Valley Queen was more than lyrics and sessions musicians. It was about people, chemistry and the relationships that created such a powerful musical force to begin with.

“I knew nobody else could record this record with me but our original line up. They had grown into the arrangements, had a personal understanding of what the songs were about.” Doot couldn\\’t rejoin—the strain touring had put on his newborn baby and wife was too much for him to reconsider—and Mike DeLuccia came forward, which was a godsend. Then Carol called Morones. The time on the road had strained their relationship significantly and there was healing that needed to happen. After long discussions and sharing, they all decided it would be worth the risk to try to create this album and tell the story of what had happened. Two months later, Valley Queen was in the studio.

The result is Supergiant, produced by Lewis Pesacov (Best Coast, Fool’s Gold, Nikki Lane, FIDLAR). Not surprisingly, the album emerges with raw production and relentless intensity. It’s a record that could not have been made any other way, each member bringing their own creative force and energy to every song. It’s about self-exploration, not just as an individual, but also as a collective whole.

Race SLO to Co-Host US Trail Running Conference 2018

California Central Coast’s leading endurance sports event producer will be hosting the 6th US Trail Running Conference, sponsored by The City of San Luis Obispo, from August 28-31, 2018.

The annual educational conference attracts trail running industry leaders, race directors, sponsors, athletes and running brands, and for the first time, the interactive three and a half day conference will be held outside Colorado. The international confab will be held in conjunction with the SLO Ultra & MTB trail run and mountain bike event, set for September 1-2, 2018.

“We are fired up to be hosting the US Trail Running Conference which will be an ideal addition to our SLO Ultra trail run and mountain bike race weekend of events, as we showcase our county’s extensive trail system, collaborate with industry leaders, then celebrate the fast-growing sport of trail running. As a past attendee and guest speaker at this conference, I know first-hand the power of connection with peers and how bringing this national sport conference here will help put Endurance Town USA on the map!,”, said Samantha Pruitt, Race SLO Founder & CEO.

For more information and to register as either an industry professional or an athlete for the conference, go to: ustrailrunningconference.com