The Frogs

#1

The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 1:49pm

Hi, I just recently auditioned for this musical and have a call-back coming up. I really don't know much about this musical. Did anyone get a chance to see it on broadway? What was your opinion? Any information about the show would greatly appreciated? What were the set and costumes like? Dancing? Any memorable moments?

#2

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 2:02pm

It depends on which version you're talking about. There was a Sondheim version with a book by Nathan Lane and a Sondheim version with a book by Burt Shevlove. (sp?) I've only seen the one that Nathan wrote and it was fantastic! A hilarious show with to many memorable moments!

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"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey

#3

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 2:08pm

I've never seen the show, but I love it because it's Stephen Sondheim and I will recommend you to buy the Broadway Cast Recording (2004) with Nathan Lane to listen and there are also pictures of the show in the booklet. There's also a studio cast recording (2002) also with Nathan Lane and there are a few pictures of the original production back in the 70s at Yale.

It's an adaptation of The Frogs by Aristophanes, the ancient Greek playwright. It's about Dionysos, the God of Theatre's journey to Hades. Most of the songs are in chorus for Burt Shevelove's version. The Nathan Lane's version added more songs in solo.

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Somebody sit in my chair, and ruin my sleep, and make me aware of being alive!

Updated On: 11/11/06 at 02:08 PM

#4

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 2:09pm

the Nathan Lane version.. the recent broadway production version

#5

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 2:10pm

May I ask you a question? How do you get the book? It isn't even published yet. I guys bought the copyright?

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Somebody sit in my chair, and ruin my sleep, and make me aware of being alive!

Updated On: 11/11/06 at 02:10 PM

#6

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 2:15pm

i'm not really sure... my college is doing... they have pretty good connections, so i'm sure something was worked out

#7

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 3:01pm

I saw the show in 2004 and loved it. Why wasn’t it a big hit like everyone expected? Nathan Lane! Susan Stroman! Roger Bart! How could it have “failed” .

#8

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 3:07pm

I don't know. Also Daniel Davis! It was a great show! Brilliant cast, writing, score, and direction/choreography! I loved it!

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"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey

#9

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 3:09pm

I LOVE the OBCR of this show! I hope to play Xanthias someday, I envy you.

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I have several names, one is Julian2. I am also The Opps Girl. But cross me, and I become Bitch Dooku!

#10

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 3:32pm

I believe the answer was a mix of Nathan Lane Ego trip and Susan Stro ruining it with her boringness

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"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed

#11

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 3:37pm

Has anyone else noticed Nathan hasn't had a big hit since The Producers? No doubt The Odd Couple made money but I mean critical success.

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"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey

#12

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 4:02pm

I would say Butley's doing respectable business

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"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed

#13

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 4:04pm

I saw this in previews and this was one of the worst things I have ever seen. Maybe they improved it....

#14

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 4:04pm

you didn't like it? I've only read it, but really enjoyed it nonethless

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"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed

#15

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 4:16pm

I knew the trumpet player in the pit, so I got a copy of the score, it actually is a very good score, I was suprised. I saw it on b-way and loved it!

#16

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 4:41pm

It was a huge let down. Daniel Davis and Roger Bart were the high lights of the show. The book fell flat, the songs were not at all memorable or that enjoyable and the show on a whole was ridiculous and boring.

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Whatever happened to class?

#17

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 6:13pm

Agree, Elphaba. The book is the worst thing of the show. And of course, Horton, Sondheim's score never been bad!

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Somebody sit in my chair, and ruin my sleep, and make me aware of being alive!

#18

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 6:14pm

The book was great in my opinion. But everyone has different tastes...some people love Lestat...

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"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey

#19

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 6:20pm

It was enjoyable but by than Nathan Lane fatigue was starting to set in

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Poster Emeritus

#20

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 6:43pm

Yeah, by the end of the run Nathan was counting the empty seats. A great score but an utterly unmemorable show.

#21

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 6:43pm

...but the most witty one, and damn hard!

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Somebody sit in my chair, and ruin my sleep, and make me aware of being alive!

#22

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 6:48pm

The show is memorable. But mybe that's just for me.

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"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey

#23

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 6:57pm

Well, to me, every Sondheim's show is memorable, except Bounce.

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Somebody sit in my chair, and ruin my sleep, and make me aware of being alive!

Updated On: 11/11/06 at 06:57 PM

#24

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 7:02pm

It's not THE Bounce Just Bounce. And I liked Bounce to. I HATE Follies. Not memorable to me.

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"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey

#25

re: The Frogs

Posted: 11/11/06 at 7:09pm

Well, Nathan had a lot to count!