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Tad! or, The Frog Prince
Type of Show
Short Play
Performance Type
Live
Digital
Acts
1 act
Duration
35 min
60 min
Performing Groups
Theatre for Young Audiences
Tech Requirements
Flexible
Cast Summary
Longer version: 5m, 4f, 3-10+ any gender. Shorter version: 3m, 3-4f, 0-1 any gender.
License it
Overview
Things we love about the Frog Prince fairy tale: it's a prince that turned into a frog! Kissing a frog is funny! Metamorphosis!

Things we don't love about the Frog Prince fairy tale: powerless princesses pining away. The uh...bit about manipulating others to fall in love with you so a curse can be lifted.

Tad! or, The Frog Prince takes the good parts, gets rid of the uncomfortable plot chunks, and adds a healthy dose of comedy and cleverness to the old tale. Audiences are treated to a message about redemption and kindness, all dressed up in witty and fast-paced dialogue. 

Audience participation alert: there's a vote to determine who should be king! Important business!
Plot
Prince Tad is just the worst: selfish, power hungry, and reluctant to change; he doesn’t appreciate the good people around him, including his loyal servant, Fred, or his easygoing brother, Ernest. On the eve of his engagement to his soon-to-be princess, Sylvia, and finding out that he will shortly inherit the kingdom, a witch turns Tad into a frog, and the only way he can change back into a human is to become selfless. Things get worse for Tad when he is presumed dead and his brother, Ernest, inherits the kingdom and marries Tad’s former fiancé. Can a new companion, Helen, help Tad understand what it means to be selfless? And if he can prove he isn’t dead, can Tad get his kingdom back? Spoiler alert: yes to all of the above. 
Script Versions
Tad! or, The Frog Prince: 50-60 minutes
Tad! or, The Frog Prince (a tad shorter): 35-40 minutes

Casting
Longer version: 5m, 4f, 3-10+ any gender. Shorter version: 3m, 3-4f, 0-1 any gender.
Female Principals
Longer version: 2. Shorter version: 2.
Male Principals
Longer version: 3. Shorter version: 3.
Supporting Females
Longer version: 2. Shorter version: 2.
Supporting Males
Longer version: 2. Shorter version: 0.
Supporting: Any Gender
Longer version: 4. Shorter version: 0.
Ensemble
Longer version: 3-10+ any gender. Shorter version: 1+ any gender.
TAD
Principal
A selfish prince who is turned into a frog.
FRED
Principal
Tad’s helpful servant.
SYLVIA
Principal
The princess; smart and a capable leader.
ERNEST
Principal
Tad’s easygoing younger brother.
HELEN
Principal
A peasant who seeks a better life.
WITCH
Supporting
A witch who uses her powers for good.
LADY FROG
Supporting
A princess from another land who has also been turned into a frog.
FISH
Supporting
One or more try to eat Tad.
GUARD 1, AKA MILDRED
Supporting
A new guard who aspired to greatness (longer version only).
GUARD 2
Supporting
An experienced guard who is content to stay where they are (longer version only).
PHIL
Supporting
An elderly guard who will do anything for the king (longer version only).
THE KING
Supporting
An elderly leader who despises change (longer version only).
PEASANT
Supporting
A peasant who is trying to avoid jail time for theft (longer version only).
HEALER
Supporting
An aging, disgraced healer living “off the grid” (longer version only).
MARGE
Supporting
A fellow healer (longer version only).
RABBIT
Supporting
A rabbit who is being hunted (longer version only).
PROTESTERS
Supporting
Various protesters who oppose the way the kingdom is being run (longer version only).
AUDIENCE LEADERS
Supporting
People who help lead the audience during the interactive bits (longer version only).
Uproar Theatrics 2024