Philadelphia Theatre Company Presents First Family Theater Production

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.

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.

By www.phillytheatreco.com