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Croaker: The Frog Prince Musical
Croaker: The Frog Prince Musical is a musical comedy with music by Jason Marks and book/lyrics by Debra Clinton. A fresh, modern retelling of the classic Frog Prince story by the Brothers Grimm, it had its world premiere in 2012 with SPARC in Richmond, Virginia. It won the 2016 Artsie Award for Outstanding Original Work from the Richmond Theatre Critic's Circle (RTCC).

Productions
The world premiere production of Croaker was on May 3, 2012 in Richmond, Virginia at the Gottwald Playhouse, presented by SPARC (School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community), and was directed by Taylor Bernard. The production featured 30 middle school students from across the metro Richmond area. Following the success of its initial inception, "Croaker in Concert" took place in September 2012, featuring 11 professional adult actors, and was used as a launch for a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to record the original demo CD to help with future marketing of the show.

In 2016, Croaker received its first professional regional premiere with Virginia Repertory Theatre's production at the Children's Theater of Virginia. It opened March 11, 2016 and ran until April 17, 2016. The production was directed and choreographed by Debra Clinton, with music direction by Jason Marks, and featured Alexander Sapp, Christie Jackson, Kathy Halenda, Mark Persinger, Geoff Morgan, Austin Janke, Todd Patterson, Caleb Wade, Grey Garrett, Cariel Surman, and Brianne Oltermann White. In the fall of 2016, Croaker was nominated for 6 Artsie Awards by the Richmond Theatre Critic's Circle, including Best Musical, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Direction, Best Costume Design and Outstanding Original Work.

In July of 2016, fresh off the success of the regional premiere, Croaker was chosen by Three Act Theatre Company in New York City to receive a production as part of their summer programming. It ran for 4 performances at SoHo Rep's Walkerspace Theatre, and was directed by Eric Mark Olson.

Croaker has received several other productions at middle schools across the country.

Other professional productions include performances with Endicott Performing Arts (New York), and Riverside Center (Fredericksburg, VA).

In 2023, Croaker had its official TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) adaptation, retitled Princess & Frog with The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati.

Plot
Long ago and far away in the kingdom of Astorya, a palace prepares for the royal birthday celebration of Princess Acrimonia ("It's Your Birthday Day"). Her father, King Arnold presents her with a beautiful golden ball, but it is not to the princess' liking, and she tosses it out the window and into the garden. When her stepmother, Queen Helene, commands her to go and fetch it, she storms out angrily and self-laments about how difficult it is to be a princess ("What Do I Want?").

Inside the well, the ball has landed on the head of a talking frog named Croaker, who challenges Acrimonia and says he'll give the ball back to her if she can keep her word to help him become a prince once again ("Promise"). Acrimonia lies, and takes the ball and runs off, leaving Croaker dejected. Knowing how sad he his, his frog friends, Fritz, Frank, and Fred try to cheer him up, reminding him of the benefits of being an amphibian ("Croaker"). With newfound motivation, Croaker and his friends head up the hill to crash dinner ("Croaker Reprise").

The birthday dinner celebration starts, but is interrupted when Croaker and his friends appear, sending everyone into a tizzy. King Arnold, ever the diplomat, invites these guests to stay for dinner ("Pull Up a Chair"). Acrimonia, furious that her father expects her to keep a promise to a slimy green frog and marches off to bed, leaving Croaker to contemplate his future ("Now or When").

In the royal bedchambers, the aggrivated Queen begins to reveal much of her own dark past to her magic mirror. King Arnold enters and expresses his frustration with the task of raising a teenagern("Tango Parental"). When the King brings up how much he misses his son, Queen Helene sends him off to bed as she concepts a plan to ensure the demise of Croaker, once and for all ("Ugly Tonight").

The next morning in the garden, the ladies-in-waiting gossip about the dinner from the night before, and Frank, Fred, and Fritz show up to demonstrate how suave and debonair they can be ("Froggy Savoir Faire"). Acrimonia, still unhappy with everything shoos them away, and Croaker repremands her bad behavior, asking her why she's so unhappy. In a moment of genuine connection, they discover they have more in common than they thought ("Nobody Understands Me"). With a newly blossoming friendship at hand, Acrimonia invites Croaker to the royal kissing dance.

Back at the castle, the Royal Page helps prepare for the festivities. Queen Helene fumes about getting rid of this toady interference. When Croaker finally arrives, he's greeted by the King, who compliments his manners and for being so polite and nice. Croaker confides that he feels stuck in his life, and isn't sure where he fits in. The King reminds him that even rulers have to face difficult moments ("A King's Gotta Do What a King's Gotta Do").

The Kissing Dance official begins, with everyone trying to kiss using elbows, knees, heads, and noses ("The Kissing Dance"), but when Croaker accidentally gets bumped into Princess Acrimonia, the kiss she plants on his nose transforms him back into a human in front of everyone's eyes. The King recognizes him - it's his long-lost son, Lucas. But the Queen isn't finished meddling yet, and rolls up her sleeves to finally get rid of him for good ("Ugly Tonight Reprise"). As she begins to cast her spell, Acrimonia steps in front of her, using her own magic mirror to reflect the Queen's ugly spirit right back at her, and she transforms into a tiny frog herself, breaking the spell forever.

With much having happened so quickly, Acrimonia processes that she may have lost her mother - but has gained a brother! Prince Lucas tells her that he doesn't want to interfere with her destiny - but Acrimonia decides that maybe she and Lucas could rule together and go on a big adventure, discovering who they truly are ("Who I Am").

Characters

 * Princess Acrimonia - A beautiful but spoiled princess who struggles to be kind and fit in. She doesn't want to be a princess, and goes on a journey of self-discovery to find out who she truly is.
 * Croaker - A kind-hearted, sassy, and earnest frog living in the garden well. He befriends Acrimonia, and teaches her about the value of friendship.
 * Queen Helene - Princess Acrimonia's mother. A strong woman with a dark secret.  She carries a magic mirror, and wants to get rid of Croaker forever.
 * King Arnold - Acrimonia's step-father. A kindly King who remains slightly oblivious to the Queen's sinister plans.  Feels a strong connection to Croaker, and appreciates him befriending Acrimonia.
 * Royal Page - The over-worked, under-appreciated hapless lackey of the castle. Carries a trumpet, and plays - badly.  Always running around, always sweating, always trying to please everyone.
 * Frank, Fred & Fritz - Croaker's 3 frog pals. His frog posse.  His "frosse."
 * Isabella, Adella & Carmella - Acrimonia's 3 ladies-in-waiting. They attempt to give the princess terrific gifts for her birthday.  They ultimately find out that frogs aren't so disgusting, and could be more than just friends.
 * Ensemble - Cooks, servants, royal guests, other Lords & Ladies. May be played by the same actors as Frank, Fred, Fritz, Isabella, Adella, and Carmella.

Songs

 * Prologue/It's Your Birthday Day - Entire Company
 * What Do I Want? - Acrimonia
 * Promise - Croaker & Acrimonia
 * Croaker - Croaker, Frank, Fred, Fritz, Frog Ensemble
 * Croaker (Reprise) - Frank, Fred, Fritz
 * Pull Up a Chair - Entire Company
 * Now or When - Croaker
 * Tango Parental - Queen Helene & King Arnold
 * Ugly Tonight - Queen Helene, Dark Spirits, Disco Divas
 * Froggy Savoir Faire - Frank, Fred, Fritz, Isabella, Adella, Carmella
 * Nobody Understands Me - Acrimonia & Croaker
 * A King's Gotta Do What a King's Gotta Do - King Arnold & Croaker
 * The Kissing Dance - Entire Company
 * Ugly Tonight (Reprise) - Queen Helene
 * Who I Am - Entire Company