# Tad! or, The Frog Prince

## Metadata

- Slug: tad-or-the-frog-prince
- Type: Short Play
- Genre: Comedy
- Acts: 1 act
- Duration:
  - 20–40 minutes
  - 40–60 minutes
- Cast:
  - Medium (7-14)
  - Large (15+)
- Cast Summary: Longer version: 5m, 4f, 3-10+ any gender. Shorter version: 3m, 3-4f, 0-1 any gender.
- Technical Requirements: Flexible
- Performing Groups: Theatre for Young Audiences
- Primary Image: https://content.uproartheatrics.com/x6un83zwbpon9sh4ivtlrzxz65cv

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## Authors

- By James Mainard O’Connell (author slug: james-mainard-oconnell)

## 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

## Cast

| Name | Role | Description |
| ---- | ---- | ---- |
| 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). |

## Materials

### Available for additional fee:

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ----------- |
| 60-Minute Talkback with the Creators | A 60-minute Zoom/Google Meet with one or more of the show's creator(s). Licensees and guests can ask questions, share experiences, and hear about the artistic journey of the show and creative team. This can be scheduled before or after the performances. If we are unable to make scheduling work, the cost will be refunded. |
| Video Recording License | License to create an archival recording of the show that may be distributed to the cast and crew. This does not allow publicly posting the performance. |

## Production Images

| URL | Caption | Credit |
| --- | ------- | ------ |
| https://content.uproartheatrics.com/imx3uo0vqberhyvw4ge2tir523zy | Emma McGraw, Charlie Johnson, and Weston Leacock: Episcopal Collegiate School 
 | Anna Snow |
| https://content.uproartheatrics.com/r6nykuy2nsd6f6w3jphtbmg7lls7 | Juliana Neesvig: Episcopal Collegiate School  | Anna Snow |
| https://content.uproartheatrics.com/91gvyik254ri1x95pv08pn14cb69 | Claire Lammers and Toni Little: Episcopal Collegiate School 
 | Anna Snow |