Phelan (Bernarda Alba, West Side Story tour) — who is also a professional photographer — introduces the hard-working cast and staff members and highlights the many steps and weeks of hard work that it takes to get a brand new show to the big stage.
Join the Frog Kiss team as they learn the material, get fitted for a custom-made wardrobe, unwind after long rehearsals and power through the always grueling tech process.
Welcome to your behind-the-scenes tour of Frog Kiss! Join me as we journey from our first rehearsals to the world premiere Opening Night!
Diane Phelan
We started rehearsals in New York at the Roundabout Theatre rehearsal space off of Times Square. Here we are with the whole gang.
Diane Phelan
This cast liked each other from the start. We snuggle on couches on breaks.
Diane Phelan
Soon after the new year, we left NYC to travel and begin rehearsals at Virginia Stage in Norfolk, Virginia. On hand to greet us are composer Eric Schorr, producer Tamara Tunie, VSC artistic director Chris Hanna, and writer Charles Leipart.
Diane Phelan
Music supervisor Zane Mark & choreographer Lorna Ventura!
Diane Phelan
Upon arriving at Virginia Stage for rehearsal, we discover they had prepared mugs with our names on them. First of many small touches the company gave to let us know how welcome we were:).
Diane Phelan
…And we continue to snuggle on breaks...
Diane Phelan
Rehearsing at Festival Hall- spacious and full of light.
Diane Phelan
A week into rehearsal, we are ready to meet the band for our sitz-probe! It's one my favorite parts of the rehearsal process as we get to hear the music in it's full glory.
Diane Phelan
On our breaks we're treated to jazz concerts by music supervisor Zane!
Diane Phelan
Cutie pie cast mates Katie Hagan & Lisa Finegold during music rehearsal.
Diane Phelan
More snuggling on breaks...
Diane Phelan
Paul Tazewell's team built our costumes from scratch so we get called into fittings throughout the week.
Diane Phelan
After rehearsal we travel as a pack to our apartments- or out for a drink- usually with cruise director Preston Boyd leading the way.
Diane Phelan
Letting Norfolk have it with their fierce post-rehearsal strut.
Diane Phelan
Composer Eric Schorr & writer Charles Leipart see their poster up at the theatre for the first time!
Diane Phelan
I was also onhand the next evening when my castmates saw the show poster for the first time!
Diane Phelan
After weeks of rehearsal, it's finally time to move into the theatre!
Diane Phelan
Getting to work on time is of utmost importance and the team runs a tight ship. Here is PSM extraordinaire Beverly Jenkins ready to spank me as I walk in a minute past call time…
Diane Phelan
However, ASM Phil Perez shows no mercy at the call board and is ready to circle my name in red!
Diane Phelan
At the coffee set up I meet Katrina Epps of the VSC Stage ops- she gives me the full low-down of the rich (and haunted!) history of the 100 year old Wells theatre!
Diane Phelan
Management helps us get acclimated to the new theatre.
Diane Phelan
Music director Bart Kuebler checks out his territory.
Diane Phelan
More cast snuggling as we get our first tour of the theatre.
Diane Phelan
Stage manager Matt Marholin gives us the lay & law of the land.
Diane Phelan
The day we discovered Preston (Claus) and Curtis (the Frog) liked to dress alike.
Diane Phelan
Aisha de Haas and James Beaman (the Queen & the King) share a giggle onstage.
Diane Phelan
Snacktime with pretzels goes wrong and we all try to help how we can.
Diane Phelan
Say hi to our awesome drummer Bob!
Diane Phelan
Wait, I thought it's like this.
Diane Phelan
Curtis & Preston decide it's another day for Twin Day.
Diane Phelan
Tech has begun and the only way to get by is more snuggling... (with Lisa Finegold & Jamie Beaman)
Diane Phelan
…and these... (with PSM Beverly Jenkins & Curtis Holbrook)
Diane Phelan
…and these pants...
Diane Phelan
…and more hugs… (with director Ken Roberson & dance captain Eric Stretch)
Diane Phelan
…And a lovely yummy spread by our amazing company management Kelsey Rudiger.
Diane Phelan
…who maybe needed a little more sleep.
Diane Phelan
Emily Drennan demonstrates how we employ the use of cat-naps to cope.
Diane Phelan
What tech looks like from the stage.
Diane Phelan
What tech looks like onstage.
Diane Phelan
What tech looks like backstage.
Diane Phelan
All the various design teams (sound, lights, creatives, sets, costumes, management) take up residence in their sector of the house.
Diane Phelan
Cross section of the house, pit, and stage
Diane Phelan
The gorgeous Wells Theatre. It was originally built in 1913 as a Vaudeville house.
Diane Phelan
Good news: Zane's still smiling!
Diane Phelan
Lighting designer Howell Binkley's program board.
Diane Phelan
Princess Clemetime (Stephanie Rothenberg) and The Frog (Curtis Holbrook) get notes from choreographer Lorna Ventura
Diane Phelan
Snacktime! Peanut Butter helps us through long days.
Diane Phelan
View from offstage.
Diane Phelan
What I'm seeing before I make an entrance… that one-sie on DC Eric Stretch is yet another tech coping mechanism.
Diane Phelan
What the ceiling looks like… halfway through the second day of tech I felt this shot was artistic...
Diane Phelan
Why our show rocks: There is flying.
Diane Phelan
Eric, Zane and Lorna check out rehearsal from the house.
Diane Phelan
Our woodwinds section is kind of bad-ass. He betta play all 4 of those instruments. (With Jim Nesbit and Roy Muth)
Diane Phelan
Music supervisor Zane Mark consults with MD Bart Kuebler.
Diane Phelan
Another reason our show rocks: The mylar curtain.
Diane Phelan
The day finally comes when we get into costume! It completely bumps our performances. Another one of my favorite days in the rehearsal process.
Diane Phelan
The King (James Beaman) looking fly.
Diane Phelan
The princess in a moment of solitude backstage.
Diane Phelan
I loved catching Stephanie seeing Jamie's costume for the first time!
Diane Phelan
… And Jamie and Steph seeing Preston's for the first time (for the spoof play within the play).
Diane Phelan
And Katie Lee Hill (Hortense) seeing Preston for the first time...
Diane Phelan
The costume has really bumped up Blakely's offstage persona… guess he's Method.
Diane Phelan
Our props are shiny.
Diane Phelan
Watching from the wings.
Diane Phelan
Joseph Byrd (Tao Master) gets into it.
Diane Phelan
Princess Clementine contemplates her next move.
Diane Phelan
Zane chats with Queen Aisha de Haas & King James Beaman.
Diane Phelan
Meanwhile on break… in my dressing room, castmates rediscover a forgotten memory from the previous night's post-rehearsal festivities.
Diane Phelan
There is some serious movement in this show, and dance Captain Eric Stretch, aptly named, shows us how to prevent injury.
Diane Phelan
Post rehearsal note session with Lorna, Kenny, and director's assistant Emma Stephens.
Diane Phelan
Managing Director Keith Stava poses with a costume piece. He personally comes backstage to wish us a good show every single day, but is so camera shy I was lucky to get this pic!
Diane Phelan
After 4 weeks of rehearsal and an intense (but cuddle-filled) tech, it's the night of the pay-what-you-can dress rehearsal! They call it a dress, but for all intents and purposes: It's the first night we get a paying audience!!
Diane Phelan
Our first run was a success and our gorgeous and generous producer Tamara Tunie threw us a congratulatory party that evening.
Diane Phelan
Cast, crew and company all joined in the celebration including associate artistic director Patrick Mullins, artistic director Chris Hanna, and company manager Kelsey Rudiger.
Diane Phelan
Charles Leipart enjoys some eats with Emily Drennan and James Beaman.
Diane Phelan
One of the hard parts about working outside of NYC is being apart from loved ones! Sweethearts Brett & Stephanie are reunited when he came to see her first performance.
Diane Phelan
Handsome guys Paul Castree & Curtis Holbrook.
Diane Phelan
The King and I. #sorrynotsorry
Diane Phelan
The Tao letting AJ Gators in downtown Norfolk have it with their ginger and ambiguously-ethnic selves.
Diane Phelan
Dream team Eric Schorr & Charles Leipart.
Diane Phelan
Hanging with Ken Roberson & Zane Mark before they cut out early to another production meeting. These guys bring such light to this show. Their smiles are contagious.
Diane Phelan
Our beautiful choreographer Lorna with Katie Hagen & Lisa Finegold. Watching each of these ladies dance is breathtaking!
Diane Phelan
Our set designer Neil Patel and his associate Caleb Levengood join the post-dress revelry.
Diane Phelan
Not so subtly photobombing Stephanie & Miss Beverly Jenkins' photo with dresser Jenn Watson.
Diane Phelan
Zane and the ladies! With Emily Drennan and Katie Hagen.
Diane Phelan
Curtis & Katie Lee ham it up.
Diane Phelan
Stephanie, Lorna & Blakely (whose hilarious characters are reasons #11 & #23 to see FROG KISS).
Diane Phelan
And Then… it was OPENING NIGHT!!! On each of our dressing stations was an outpouring of love in the form of flowers, notes, and froggie paraphernalia! The energy backstage was tangible. One of the best parts of opening a never-before-seen show.
Diane Phelan
Hapa ladies represent! Quick kudos shout-out to casting for there being two of us in one show. Hanging with the lovely Katie Lee Hill (Hortense).
Diane Phelan
The opening night party was held at BITE in downtown Norfolk, and featured bubbling green drinks and cute touches like the signature napkins advertising our show in all downtown restaurants!
Diane Phelan
Lorna Ventura with Eric Stretch and Katie Hagen.
Diane Phelan
Curtis Holbrook and gorgeous wife Patti Murin looking fly at the opening party.
Diane Phelan
With producer Susanne Adamski, Aisha de Haas, Stephanie Rothenberg and Chris Hanna.
Diane Phelan
General Managers Scott Newsome & Laura Janik Cronin of Brierpatch Productions pose with Katie Lee Hill (Hortense), choreographer Lorna Ventura, and Curtis Holbrook (the Frog).
Diane Phelan
With the lovely Tamara Tunie.
Diane Phelan
Til next time, Playbill! Thanks for joining me… it's been a blast and I can't wait to see where this gorgeous jewel of a production goes next!
Diane Phelan
Frog Kiss is presented Jan. 15-Feb. 3 at the Wells Theatre in downtown Norfolk.
Directed by Kenneth L. Roberson, the cast features Curtis Holbrook as The Frog, Stephanie Rothenberg as Princess Clementine, James Beaman as King Frederick, Aisha deHaas as Queen Margot, Preston Truman Boyd as Claus, Katie Lee Hill as Hortense and Joseph Anthony Byrd, Paul Castree, Emily Drennan, Diane Phelan, Lisa Finegold, Katie Hagen, Eric Stretch, Blakely Slaybaugh, Beverly Jenkins and Matthew G. Marholin.
Frog Kiss has book and lyrics by Charles Leipart and music by Eric Schorr.
Based on the novella "The Frog Prince, A Fairytale for Consenting Adults" by Stephen Mitchell, the show, according to press notes, is a "saucy 'n' swinging new musical featuring a scientific-minded princess who is determined to turn her frog into a prince to save her kingdom."
The creative team also includes musical supervisor Zane Mark, choreographer Lorna Ventura, scenic designer Neil Patel, costume designer Paul Tazewell, lighting designer Howell Brinkley, sound designer Peter Fitzgerald and orchestrator Daryl Waters.
The production is by special arrangement with producers Tamara Tunie and Susanne Adamski.
Frog Kiss made a splash at the New York Musical Festival, where it earned more NYMF Award Citations for Excellence than any other musical, at the Crossroads Festival in Kansas City, and at the famed Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2005.
For more information visit vastage.com.
