The Frogs

Dionysus, George Bernard Shaw and Shakespeare collide in Sondheim's satirical tribute to Greek comedies.

From the writers behind A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum comes the hilarious send up of Greek comedy and satire, The Frogs. Loosely based on a comedy written in 405 B.C. by Aristophanes, The Frogs playfully explores the great challenges of human existence: confronting our fears, understanding life and death and challenging the distractions that can prevent us from achieving our goals.

This boisterously hilarious, yet poignant, musical follows Dionysos, Greek god of wine and drama, and his slave, Xanthias, on a journey to Hades to collect renowned critic and playwright, George Bernard Shaw, so that he may enlighten the easily misled and coerced masses of Earth. Along this journey, Dionysus and Xanthias meet Chekhov, Congreve, Ibsen, Brecht and, of course, the chorus of frogs. Then, Shakespeare shows up and starts declaiming his greatest hits; before long, he engages in a battle of words with Mr. Shaw. Who will win the honor of becoming reincarnated: The Bard or Bernard?

The Frogs stays true to its heritage, mixing Aristophanic pratfall satire with a Sondheim score that swings from witty to pretty to rambunctious, but it also mirrors the Greek original for the serious issue of the role of the arts in a world beset by war and folly. This musical is ideal for a regional theatre looking to inject a bit of Greek satire into its season.

Full Synopsis Materials and Orchestration

Concert Selections for The Frogs

MTI is pleased to provide the pre-approved rental materials of select songs for your symphonic concert performance. Please note, MTI is unable to grant the necessary Performance Rights with this material rental. The Performance Rights needed must be obtained separately through the individual song’s respective small rights agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Please email concerts@mtishows.com with any questions.

FROGS, THE

From
The Frogs

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Stephen Sondheim

Lyrics by
Stephen Sondheim

Orchestrated by
Jonathan Tunick

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Starting Key
B
Estimated duration
7 min 27 sec
Instrumentation

2 Bb Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 2 Trumpet, 3 Trombone, 1 Piano, 2 Percussion, 1 Harp, (8) Violin I, (8) Violin II, (7) Viola, (6) Cello, (5) Bass, 22 Piano-Vocal Scores.
HADES

From
The Frogs

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.
HYMNOS: EVOE! (PARTS 1 & 2)

From
The Frogs

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Stephen Sondheim

Lyrics by
Stephen Sondheim

Orchestrated by
Jonathan Tunick

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Starting Key
D

Estimated duration
6 min 00 sec
Instrumentation

(1x) FULL SCORE; (22x) PIANO/VOCAL SCORE; (1x) CLARINET 1; (1x) CLARINET 2; (1x) BASSOON 1; (1x) BASSOON 2; (1x) TRUMPET 1; (1x) TRUMPET 2; (1x) TROMBONE 1; (1x) TROMBONE 2; (1x) TROMBONE 3; (3x) PERCUSSION: Bell Tree, Gong, Cymbals, Hand Drum, Finger Cymbal, Triangle, Tambourine, Timpani, Snare Drum; (1x) PIANO; (1x) HARP; (8x) VIOLIN 1; (8x) VIOLIN 2; (7x) VIOLA; (6x) CELLO; (5x) BASS
INVOCATION AND INSTRUCTIONS TO THE AUDIENCE

From
The Frogs

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Stephen Sondheim

Lyrics by
Stephen Sondheim

Orchestrated by
Jonathan Tunick

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Starting Key
D♭
Estimated duration
3 min 45 sec
Instrumentation
(1x) FULL SCORE; (2x) PIANO/VOCAL SCORE; (1x) REED 1: Bb Clarinet, Eb Clarinet; (1x) REED 2: Bb Clarinet; (1x) REED 3: Bassoon; (1x) REED 4: Bassoon; (1x) TRUMPET 1; (1x) TRUMPET 2; (1x) TROMBONE 1; (1x) TROMBONE 2; (1x) TROMBONE 3; (3x) PERCUSSION: Gong, Timpani, Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Cymbal, Gran Casa, Temple Blocks, Snare Drum; (1x) PIANO; (1x) HARP; (8x) VIOLIN 1; (8x) VIOLIN 2; (7x) VIOLA; (6x) CELLO; (5x) BASS
OPENING FANFARE ("FROGS")

From
The Frogs

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Stephen Sondheim

Orchestrated by
Jonathan Tunick

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Starting Key
C

Estimated duration
1 min 25 sec
Instrumentation

1Trumpet 1, 1 Trumpet 2, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trombone 2, 1 Trombone 3. 2 Percussion(Timp, Snare drum, Bass drum, Cymbal), 1 Full Score