According to the authors, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is based on the plays of Plautus. The director, upon choosing this musical as his production thesis, made a study of the comedies upon which the musical was based. The study begins with the influences on Plautine writing and considers the indigenous drama of Rome prior to and including 240 B.C. as described by Livy. The director analyzed the influence of Greek New Comedy on Roman drama as well as the influence of the Roman stage on Plautus and his writing. The personality and personal life of Plautus were also analyzed in considering the influences on Plautine style. From these stylistic considerations, the director related the significant influences of Plautus on the modern musical in the areas of dialogue, plot structure, staging, and music
