April 11th through the 12th, 2003, at the Proscenium Theatre, Humanities Fine Arts, University of Minnesota, Morris.
The University of Minnesota, Morris theater discipline announces its annual children's theater production, "Hyronomous A. Frog: The Frog Prince," by Edith Weiss. This contemporary adaptation of the classic fairy tale follows Hyronomous A. Frog on his journey to become a human prince. As in past years, the theater will present not only public performances of the production, but will also host over 2,500 area elementary school children for special student matinees.
Hyronomous A. Frog performs in the Proscenium Theatre located in Humanities Fine Arts on the UMM campus, at 7 p.m. Friday, April 11, and at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children under 12. Special student matinees for area schools will be performed April 10-16.
Hyronomous A. Frog tells the story of a larger than average frog who finds out that he was put under a spell at a young age. He is actually a prince! After learning this news from an eccentric witch, he journeys to the kingdom of "Spamelot," where he meets some rather interesting residents. This simple, yet hilarious journey contains a duel, comedic raps, chase scenes and even lessons in table manners. It also offers a strong lesson about treating people fairly and with respect, no matter who they are or what they look like.
For this final production of the UMM theater season, theater major and UMM alumna Kimberly Gamradt '02 (Wells) returns as the director. Gamradt directed last year's production of "The Little Prince" and is excited about her latest UMM project. "It feels great to be back here," she says, "Morris is my second home." When asked why she chose a play titled "Hyronomous A. Frog, her reply is simple. "The play reminded me so much of a cartoon that I knew it would appeal to the younger crowd, and what college student doesn't like cartoons? Basically I want to give my audience 45 minutes of pure fun." Assisting Gamradt is Nick Menzhuber (St. Joseph) who will serve as assistant director and stage manager for this year's production. Menzhuber recently appeared as Greg in the winter production of Sylvia.
Additional collaborators with Gamradt will be Kaitlyn Maurer (Champlin) for costume design and Kristina Goebel (Plymouth) for sound design. The production will also utilize the talents of Jeni Long (Duluth). Long, a senior theatre major, assumes the task of designing the lights for her senior project. These students, along with theater professor Tap Payne will help Gamradt create the "bubble gum Medieval" look she is hoping to bring to the fantasy kingdom of "Spamelot." This year alone Payne has taken theater-goers to the rural countryside of Ireland in "Dancing at Lughnasa," and to the urban skyscrapers of New York City in "Sylvia."
The cast of Hyronomous A. Frog includes both newcomers to and veterans of the UMM stage. Tim Connors (Eden Valley) assumes the title role. Connors was in last year's production of The Little Prince, as was Teresa Sayles (Clinton), who here plays Delphinium the fair maid whose kiss breaks the spell. Other UMM veterans are Margaret Dobie (Mapleton), who recently appeared in the fall production of Dancing at Lughnasa, as Princess Gladiola and Johanna Farmer (Spearfish, SD), seen in last season's Medea, as Queen Bea and the Good Witch Gloria. Newcomers to the UMM stage include Derek Desens (Litchfield) as Sir Lancelot Pancelot and Jeff Creen (Chisago City) as his sidekick Arthur.
"Hyronomous A. Frog: The Frog Prince" is funded in part by a grant from the Lake Region Arts Council through a Minnesota State Legislative appropriation. For more information about tickets and student matinees, contact the theater box office at (320) 589-6249 or 589-6267.
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