For Immediate Release: October 26, 2006
Media Contact: Deborah Fleischman, for Philadelphia Theatre Company, 215.735.7356

Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Philadelphia premiere of THE FROG BRIDE, written and performed by David Gonzalez and directed by Lenard Petit on December 22-30 at 1714 Delancey Street. Performances are Friday, December 22 and Saturday, December 23 at 7:00 PM; Sunday, December 24 at 2:00 PM; and December 26-30 at 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Tickets at $14-$28 are available by calling the Philadelphia Theatre Company Box Office at 215-985-0420 or visiting www.phillytheatreco.com.

When a King sends his three sons to find their brides, two return with fair ladies. The last returns with...a frog?! THE FROG BRIDE is a hip adaptation of a classic Russian tale, told by consummate storyteller David Gonzalez. Two outstanding musicians weave one of Prokofiev's classics with an original jazz-funk score, as David performs every role against a backdrop of stunning live video projection and moving images by painter Wassily Kandinsky. Filled with comic sparkle, THE FROG BRIDE is a "ribbiting" coming-of-age story.

"THE FROG BRIDE is a perfect fit as Philadelphia Theatre Company's first family production. Fresh and imaginative, its high-quality production values are sophisticated enough to appeal to adults, and its delightful fairy tale story will enchant children," said Philadelphia Theatre Company's Producing Artistic Director Sara Garonzik.

Storyteller/musician/poet/actor David Gonzalez was nominated for a 2006 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience for his production of THE FROG BRIDE at Broadway's New Victory Theater. He has created numerous productions including the critically acclaimed shows SOFRIO and MYTHOLOJAZZ, both of which enjoyed sold-out runs at New Victory Theater. Honored with a Helen Hayes Performing Artist of the Year Award, his newest work, MARIEL, was just named winner of the Macy's New Play Prize for Young Audiences. Gonzalez' poetry was featured at Lincoln Center's Out-of-Doors Festival, Bill Moyers' documentary "Fooling with Words" on PBS, as well as on NPR's "All Things Considered."

Philadelphia Theatre Company is Philadelphia's only non-profit professional theater dedicated exclusively to producing world and regional premieres of works by contemporary American playwrights. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director, Sara Garonzik, Philadelphia Theatre Company has had ever-increasing national impact having produced 34 world premieres of new American plays and musicals in its 31 seasons. Recent world premiere productions include: Some Men by Terrence McNally (to be produced at Second Stage Theatre in Spring 2007); Adrift in Macao by Christopher Durang and Peter Melnick (to be produced at Primary Stages, Winter 2007); Bruce Graham's According to Goldman; Jeffrey Hatcher's A Picasso; Daniel Stern's comedy Barbra's Wedding (moved to the Westside Arts Theatre in 2003); John Henry Redwood's No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs; J.T. Rogers' White People; David Ives' Lives of the Saints; three-time Tony Award-winning Master Class by Terrence McNally, starring Zoe Caldwell; Bunny Bunny by Alan Zweibel (Lucille Lortel Award, 1997); and the American premiere of Birdy by Naomi Wallace. A Picasso received its New York premiere at the Manhattan Theatre Club in April 2005. Philadelphia Theatre Company was chosen Best Theatre Company 2003 by Philadelphia magazine, Theater Company of the Year by Philadelphia Weekly in 2005, Best Theater Company in the 2005 City Paper Readers' Choice Awards, and named Best Theater by Philadelphia Style Magazine in 2006. Since 1995, Philadelphia Theatre Company has received 109 nominations and 34 awards from Philadelphia's Barrymore Awards, most recently for Adrift in Macao (Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical [Rachel deBenedet as Lureena], Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical [Orville Mendoza as Tempura], and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical [Michele Ragusa as Corinna]) and Intimate Apparel (Outstanding Costume Design [Janus Stefanowicz]).

Philadelphia Theatre Company has embarked on a groundbreaking Capital Campaign in support of building its new home, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on the Avenue of the Arts, scheduled to open in Fall, 2007 when it concludes its 25-year residence at the historic Plays & Players Theater.

PREVIEW:
Friday, December 22nd at 7:00 PM

OPENING:
Saturday, December 23rd at 7:00 PM

PERFORMANCES:
Friday, December 22 and Saturday, December 23 at 7:00 PM; Sunday, December 24 at 2:00 PM; and December 26-30 at 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM

CLOSING PERFORMANCE:
Saturday, December 30th at 4 PM

LOCATION:
1714 Delancey Street TICKET PRICES:
Children: $14, Adults: $28

PARKING/TRANSPORTATION:
On-street parking is available as well as lot parking at 17th & Pine. The theater is also accessible by taxi, SEPTA buses and trains, and the PATCO Highspeed line.

ACCESSIBILITY:
Limited wheelchair accessibility. Philadelphia Theatre Company provides large print, Braille and audio cassette programs upon request.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT:
Plays & Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Street, Monday-Friday 10:00AM - 5:30 PM, 215/985-0420 or 866/985-0420 or online at www.phillytheatreco.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS:
Post-Show Meet-the-Artists Events on December 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th after 11am performances.

Family Funshops on December 26th and 28th at 3pm on the 3rd floor of the theater. How do you ask a frog to marry you? What happens if the frog says yes? What is the land of "3 times 9"? Call the Philadelphia Theatre Company Education Department for details and reservations at 215.985.1400 x106.

WRITER & PERFORMER:
David Gonzalez

DIRECTOR:
Lenard Petit

MUSICIANS:
Composer, Pianist, Keyboard, Electronics - Daniel Kelly
Violin – Christian Howes

PRESS INFORMATION:
Deborah Fleischman 215/735-7356

TICKET INFORMATION:
215/985-0420 or 866/985-0420 or www.phillytheatreco.com

SYNOPSIS
When a King sends his three sons to find their brides, two return with fair ladies. The last returns with... A FROG?! This hip adaptation of a classic Russian tale is told by consummate storyteller David Gonzalez. Two outstanding musicians weave one of Prokofiev's classics with an original jazz-funk score, as David performs every role against a backdrop of stunning live video projection and moving images by painter Wassily Kandinsky. Filled with comic sparkle, The Frog Bride is a "ribbiting" coming-of-age story.

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