Composer

:

Stephen Sondheim

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

Compose Date

:

1974

Average_duration

:

32:37

"The Frogs" is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Burt Shevelove. The show is based on an ancient Greek comedy by Aristophanes, and it was first performed in 1974. The plot follows the god Dionysus, who is unhappy with the state of the world and decides to travel to Hades to bring back a great playwright to improve the quality of contemporary drama. The show was originally commissioned by the Yale Repertory Theatre, and it premiered there in 1974. It was later revised and performed on Broadway in 2004, with Nathan Lane in the lead role of Dionysus. The Broadway production featured additional songs and a revised book by Nathan Lane and Susan Stroman. The musical is divided into two acts, with several musical numbers in each. The first act introduces Dionysus and his slave Xanthias, who travel to Hades to find a great playwright. Along the way, they encounter various characters, including Charon, the ferryman of the underworld, and a chorus of frogs. The second act takes place in Hades, where Dionysus and Xanthias meet several famous playwrights, including George Bernard Shaw and William Shakespeare. The play ends with a debate between the playwrights over the merits of tragedy and comedy. The music of "The Frogs" is characterized by Sondheim's signature wit and wordplay, as well as his use of complex harmonies and rhythms. The show features several memorable songs, including "Invocation and Instructions to the Audience," "It's Only a Play," and "Fear No More." Overall, "The Frogs" is a clever and entertaining musical that combines elements of ancient Greek comedy with modern humor and satire. Its memorable songs and witty dialogue have made it a favorite among fans of Sondheim's work, and its themes of the importance of art and the power of comedy continue to resonate with audiences today.

More....