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The Chicago Traveler

The Frogs

by Matt B on May 14th, 2007

It’s almost summer, and soon we’ll all be chillin’ poolside. One pool you can check out right now is actually indoors at Truman College. The Pegasus Players have revived the musical “The Frogs” by composer Stephen Sondheim and writer Burt Shevelove which takes place on and in the swimming pool.

“The Frogs” first premiered in 1974 at Yale University, loosely adapted from the comedy written by Ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes. It was revised and expanded by Stephen Sondheim for Broadway in 2004. Now it graces an Olympic-sized pool in the Uptown neighborhood.

“The Frogs” may not be the most memorable of Sondheims works, but it certainly carries a few of his trademarks, including delightful disagreements and clever lyrics. Although originally written by an Ancient Greek, the play makes use of current and recent pop culture references.

The story is about a journey into Hades by Dionysus, a god with a phobia of frogs. He’s accompanied by his slave Xanthias, who is smarter, stronger, braver, and more arrogant than Dionysus. The god’s mission is to retrieve George Bernard Shaw, his favorite playwright, who gets into an intellectual debate with William Shakespeare about whom is the better artist.

Tickets are $15-$30. The show runs through June 3, for about 2 ' hours, including intermission. And be warned, depending on where you sit, you may get a little wet.

Truman College ($$): 1140 W Wilson Ave; 773-878-9761
Showtimes
Sun: 3:00 p.m.
Thurs - Sat: 8:00 p.m.
Street parking available, free lot
Public trans: Bus #36, 78, 145, 148 or Red Line train (Wilson)
http://www.pegasusplayers.org/

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POSTED IN: Entertainment

1 opinion for The Frogs

  • Maricar
    May 15, 2007 at 8:41 am

    Hi Matt,
    Welcome to b5! I love Chicago. I’m within driving distance (4-5 hours) and have relatives in the area. I’m looking forward to reading about this great city. :)

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