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MNfusion: 'The Frog Bride' Playwright David Gonzalez Discusses CTC Adaptation

Children's theater is characterized by bright colors, whimsical stories, vibrant characters and bold music.

It tells stories in a big way that often isn't seen in shows intended for more adult audiences.

But behind these big presentations is often a bigger message. In fact, many children's shows tell the most memorable and important messages for audiences.

"The Wizard of Oz" taught us there's no place like home. "Akeelah and the Bee" taught us to have courage when faced with adversity. And "The Frog Bride" teaches us to be ourselves.

David Gonzalez's "The Frog Bridge" tells the story of a king who sends his three sons to go and find brides. Two return with beautiful women and one returns with a frog.

Adapted from a Russian folktale, Gonzalez, an awarded storyteller, poet, musician and actor, tells the story of the third son's quest to find himself in adulthood using bright colors, beautiful imagery and vibrant music.

While Gonzalez said that each artistic element helps elevate the story, at its core the folktale has lived on because of its message of personal strength and individuality.

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What drew you to the story of "The Frog Bride?" Why did you want to adapt that tale specifically?

Gonzalez: I first heard the story from the poet Robert Bly and became fascinated with its mysterious characters and dramas. Next, I began researching versions of the tale in books of Russian folk literature and it continued to grow on me. I believe that stories are like dreams that we inherit from culture, and I felt compelled to discover answers to the questions that this classic fairy tale offers. [For example] marriage to a frog in particular is a fertile image. How, where, when does that happen in life?  Do we appreciate our gifts? What do we do when we feel separate from our deeper selves? What can save us? All these questions were the motivation for exploring, and finally performing, "The Frog Bride."

Those themes all seem very metaphysical and rather hard to understand, let alone explain. Why do you think, especially with themes like those, that the story speaks to children?

Gonzalez: On the outer level, there is a colorful cast of characters, a bit of magic, high drama, danger, adventure and resolution. On a deeper level, children resonate with the sense of quest, and perhaps the feeling of not quite fitting into the mold that the world expects. Ivon, our protagonist, doesn't either, but he finds his way.

That is a really wonderful message to share with children. So, how do feel the different artistic elements tell share that message and tell this story?

Gonzalez: Each artistic element functions differently. The text drives the drama, the performance brings it to emotional life, the music gives a deep soulful dimension and the artwork opens the imagination beyond logic. Me and my collaborators worked hard to find the right elements and to make sure they fit together just right.

Knowing that each element plays such an important role, wow did you decide what types of elements (music, art, dance, etc) to use in this production?

Gonzalez: My love of story is matched by my love of music, and I wanted to have a non-literal, expressionistic, visual world that would support the imagination world of the tale. Prokofiev's "Five Melodies for Violin and Piano" was suggested by the concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic for its intelligence, beauty and brevity. Kandinsky's paintings were chosen from the Guggenheim Museum's collection for their spontaneity, vitality and breadth of form and color.

Sounds like you had a wonderful group of collaborators to help with making those decisions! So, why do you think this show is a good fit for Minneapolis' Children's Theatre Company?

Gonzalez: CTC is known for the respect it gives to the mind of the child. With "The Frog Bride" I wanted to bring great western art to young people without any didactic explanation, but with great care. I think of it as high art for short people (i.e. kids).

I love that! Finally, what about this story has helped it last generation after generation and become an integral part of a culture?

Gonzalez: "The Frog Bride" presents us with ageless wisdom but, as with a dream, we have to dig for it.

"The Frog Bride" opens Jan. 12 and runs through Feb. 28. Tickets cost $10 to $48. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Children's Theatre Company online.

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