When Offshoot Productions holds the premiere of The Frog Prince on May 12 and 13 at the Roger Spencer Community Center in Tyrone, children in the audience will be contributing to the action of the play.

The audience members become the confidantes of the three characters, played by professional actors:  Princess Celia, the Queen, and the Frog Prince himself.  They provide information to the actors from their seats, and they join the actors on stage as swamp animals, palace guards, and young lords and ladies.

Penned by Paige Steadman, who also provided original music and lyrics, the show is a delightful variation on the classic tale, filled with energy and humor.

The play runs Friday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 13, at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.  The Saturday evening performance is a benefit for Promise Place (formerly, the Fayette Council on Domestic Violence). Following the Tyrone performances, the show embarks on a tour of the metro Atlanta area and beyond.

Tickets, which include a beverage and snack, cost $10 for the general public, and $8 for children 10 and under and may be purchased in advance at the Peachtree City Library, 201 Willowbend Road, (770) 631-2520, and the Tyrone Recreation Department, located at the Roger Spencer Community Center, 145 Commerce Drive, Tyrone, (770) 487-4694. Tickets will also be available at the door.

The play is directed by Susan M. Steadman, Ph.D., Offshoot producing artistic director, and choreographed and stage managed by Fracena Byrd. Byrd, who appeared in Offshoot’s “The Comedy of Errors” and “The Tempest,” holds a theatre degree from Spelman College and has recently performed at the Springer Opera House and for the Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Program. Set design is by Harley Gould, who served as technical director for last summer’s “Tempest“ and is currently working at the Atlanta Lyric Theatre. Jane B. Kroessig, who holds degrees in Fine Arts and Elementary Education, is the costume and props designer.

The cast includes Paul McClain as the Frog Prince, Dawn Peterson as Princess Celia, and Betty Mitchell as the Queen, a role shared with Wendy Fulton Adams.   

For additional information, including group rates, contact Offshoot Productions at (770) 631-2362 or offshootpr@aol.com.

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