THE FROG PRINCE AND THE PRINCESS Gets World Premiere at Theatre at the Center

A Florida Everglades swamp fortune teller and her scheming alligator, along with a forked tongue gossiping 20-foot long purple Burmese python form the villainous trio helping young audience learn about life's dos and don'ts in a new stage story having a world premiere at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster.

Titled "The Frog Prince and the Princess: A Hoppy Tale," the live performance with both human and puppet cast, is a 55-minute adventure written and directed by Philip Potempa.

It is a new, fun updated story for stage adaptation of "The Frog Prince" original work written and published by The Brothers Grimm in 1812 Germany. The new storybook "from page to stage" telling is for families and audiences of all ages, with 11 performances all this week at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. through Saturday, May 23, 2026 at Theatre at the Center at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster.

"I wanted to dream-up a spring stage story that was funny and exciting for young audiences, but also filled with important lessons teachers and adults can equally appreciate," said Potempa, who began working on the script last year.

The plot concerns Princess Adrianna's educational and entertaining adventure as she searches for Prince David on a quest through a swampy and mysterious kingdom. She is unaware her princely pal is now a croaking yet crafty frog after being transformed by the infamous marsh magical fortune teller, the Mistress Carara, assisted by Nero, her web-footed and always hungry helper pet alligator. Fortunately, Queen Mum Buscia and her faithful lop-eared royal subject Benny the Beagle can guide the Princess to a mythical fountain for a sunny and enlightening finale.

The cast features Dave Innes as The Frog Prince and Adrianna Alvarez as The Princess, with the return of Carolyn Kruszynski as Queen Buscia Mum, Tony Panek as Benny the Beagle and Tina Stasny as fortune teller Mistress Carara. Phil Potempa produces and directs the show, as well as a cameo appearance in the show as Nero the alligator and providing puppeteer engineering and his vocal talents as Hector the Owl and Priscila the Python.

During the course of the adventure, audiences participate in a frog jumping race in the theater aisles without ever having to leave their seats and receive a golden wiching coin to toss into the beautiful fountain of floating swans. Favorite scenes include the magical transformation of a crowned prince into a frog and back to his royal princely status while surrounded by a magical strange and fascinating stage landscape where guests witness giant glowing mushrooms and mystical fog swireling a full-size row boat.

"I used my own imagination to write this script, thinking back to the fairytales I was read while I was growing up and the vivid and clever cartoons I remember watching during my own youth," Potempa said.

"It's a special feeling to be able to invent characters and have them come to life. Sometimes, it's the characters who like to cause trouble that can be the most fun to invent. I credit as my mentors and inspiration, Jim Henson and his Muppets, the era of Saturday morning cartoons and a dash of Walt Disney influence."

Potempa said his new play also includes a fond nod to live action children show innovators, the late brothers Sid and Marty Krofft, who created Tv series like "H.R. Pufnstuf," "Land of the Lost" and "Lidsville." Sid Krofft died last month on April. Sid Krofft just died last month on April 10 at age 96 and brother Marty died in November 2023 at age 86.

More on The Center for Visual and Performing Arts

Upcoming Shows

"The Frog Prince and the Princess: A Hoppy Tale"

5/18 - 5/23/2026

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