"Dates for Sondheim-Stroman-Lane Frogs Set"

[Lorelai]

Posted: 12/2/03 at 3:16am

Looks like it's official. I'm not familiar with the show but I think I'll get a ticket anyway...whenever they come out

From Playbill

"The new Lincoln Center Theater production of one of oddest entries in the Stephen Sondheim oeuvre, The Frogs, has set its dates. The show, piloted by director-choreographer Susan Stroman and starring actor Nathan Lane, will have its first preview June 17, 2004, open July 15 and run until Oct. 3, according to a casting notice.It was previously announced that Lane, not known as an author, was trying his hand at rewriting the piece, which was originally adapted by Burt Shevelove from Aristophanes' 405 B.C. play.

Composer-lyricist Sondheim and librettist Shevelove wrote the show for a production staged in the Yale swimming pool in 1974. That cast included newcomers Christopher Durang, Meryl Streep and Sigourney Weaver, among others. The ancient play focuses on a debate between Aeschylus and Euripides, to determine who is the greater artist. The winner of the contest returned to Earth with Dionysus to save civilization.

In Sondheim and Shevelove's version, the story is updated with a debate between William Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw and has traditionally required elaborate special effects, a large cast of actors skilled in both acting and swimming and an exhibition pool in which they perform.

Lincoln Center atistic director Andre Bishop told the industry paper, Variety, "Nathan has done some reworking of the book. He has fleshed out the script." Bishop also added, "Sondheim might write some more songs for this version, to make it more of a full evening."

The Chicago troupe, Pegasus Players, has announced that it would stage the work (in an unrelated production) April 8-May 25, 2004—just before the Lincoln Center production, which will play the Vivian Beaumont Theatre.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 12/2/03 at 8:14am

Why do I have the odd forboding that THE FROGS will be postponed indefinitely?

[Alex the Cat]

Posted: 12/2/03 at 8:13pm

When I read this yesterday, I was really glad I've already gotten my $40 worth out of my Lincoln Center Theater membership with my tix to 'Henry IV' and the upcoming 'King Lear'! Have to say it's the best $40 I've spent, nonetheless...