FROGZ - Imago Theatre

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®

“a blur of magic”

NY ThEatre.com

DeC 8th

to

Jan 7th

“Sure fire, very fuNNy!” NEW YORK TIMES

"Rare theatrical event, a family-friendly entertainment, lively, inventive, remarkably acrobatic, mysterious, deeply satisfying, sensational, thrilling, hysterical, truly goofy fun ... now that's entertainment." - BOSTON GLOBE

RO S E E . T U C K E R CHARITABLE TRUST

presents

December 8, 2017–January 7, 2018

Creation, Design and Direction by Carol Triffle & Jerry Mouawad Original Music by Katie Griesar Light Design by Jeff Forbes Cowboy Illustrations by George Smith Performed by Pratik Motwani Kaician Jade Kitko Mark Mullaney Kyle Delamarter Understudies Bryan Smith Laura Loy Stage Manager Nathan Hansen With Music by Mark De Gli Antoni

The FROGZ National Tour is sponsored in part by grants from The Regional Arts & Culture Council The Collins Foundation 2 | IMAGO’S FROGZ

PROGRAM Frogs Lizards Paper Bag Windbags Strings Cowboy Sloth Circus

• Intermission • Orbs Larvabatic Penguins Paper Program subject to change.

The taking of photographs and the use of recording equipment is strictly prohibited.

FROGZ is made possible by grants from:

Dear Friends of Imago, After three years of development, including automata engineering, complex fabrication, ingenious effects, song composition and much more, we finally opened La Belle, Lost in the World of the Automaton. Family audiences and critics raved, calling it “a delicious feast for the eyes and ears and nourishing fodder for the soul … It’s all wow factor!”

If you missed it, you can see it in Portland when it returns from its first national tour, in April 2018.

We brought you progressive adult shows like Sam Shepard’s and Joseph Chaikin’s Savage/ Love (“Soars!”), the famous tilting stage from No Exit, this time used to present the Greek tragedy Medea (“Intoxicating”), and the world premiere of The Reunion (“Makes you laugh out loud while it’s quietly breaking your heart”) as Carol Triffle adds to her canon of comedies beyond description.

A selection of short stories by Raymond Carver titled Human Noise (“Uproarious”) were staged, and we were joined on one special evening by the author’s life/writing partner, well-known poet Tess Gallagher.

Our signature work FROGZ returns this holiday season, and will tour nationally next year.

Yes, we are quite busy bringing you adventurous adult works and amazing works for families. In addition, Jerry directed for the Portland Opera the world premiere of two works, never paired together before, by David Lang: The Difficulty of Crossing a Field and The Little Match Girl Passion (“Brilliant”).

More is to come, but is only possible with your support. If you donated before, this is the time to invest in Imago’s future by increasing your contribution, as the challenges to the arts are greater than ever. We want to continue bringing you the most innovative and fun shows in town, but we can’t do it without you.

We look forward to partnering with you to bring world-class theatre to Portlanders and to the world!

Carol Triffle and Jerry Mouawad Artistic Co-Directors

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BIOS CAROL TRIFFLE

KAICIAN JADE KITKO

JERRY MOUAWAD

(Performer) Kyle joined Imago in late 2002 for the first run of Biglittlethings. He has toured internationally with Imago in Canada, China, and Jordan.

(Creator, Artistic Co-director) Carol completed a third year program with Jacques Lecoq in 1997 after studying him for two previous years in 1986-1988. Awards include Best Touring Production by the Independent Reviewers of New England, Oregon Arts Commission Fellowship, New York Dance Film Awards, Portland Theatre Awards for choreography, costume design, and best original play.

(Artistic Co-director) Jerry studied the teachings of Jacques Lecoq at the Hayes-Marshall School of Theatre Arts. He has directed for the Portland Opera, American Repertory Theatre and Hartford Stage Company.

KATIE GRIESAR

(Original Music) Katie’s work with Imago Theatre spans some 20 shows and includes the original music scores for FROGZ, Biglittlethings, and this year’s ZooZoo.

JEFF FORBES

(Light Design) Jeff is a Portland based lighting designer working primarily in theatre and dance. He is a 9-time winner of the Willie and Drammy Awards.

GEORGE SMITH

(Cowboy Illustrations) George was a nationally syndicated cartoonist best known for The Smith Family. He was the proud father of eleven children, one of which is Artistic Co-Director of Imago Carol Triffle.

PRATIK MOTWANI

(Performer) Pratik is an actor originally from Mumbai, India. He holds an MFA in ensemble-based physical theatre from the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre in Blue Lake, CA and has been touring internationally with Imago since 2014.

4 | IMAGO’S FROGZ

(Performer) Kaician began performing for Imago Theatre in the 2010 production, Stage Left Lost. He has since toured internationally with Imago's production of FROGZ.

KYLE DELAMARTER

MARK MULLANEY

(Performer) Mark has had a joyous time learning ZooZoo and working with a familiar and chummy cast. Previously he has toured with Imago's FROGZ and was seen in the recent Soiree as that crazy guy with the microphone.

LAURA LOY

(Understudy) Laura is an actor-creator-incendiary, and a founding member of award-winning physical theatre company Box of Clowns. Laura has performed in Imago’s BimBamBop and Pimento and Pullman.

BRYAN SMITH

(Understudy) Performed with the Corvallis-based improv comedy troupe The Long Con and in Imago Theatre’s Savage/Love, and Human Noise.

He is pleased to join the troupe of FROGZ. Tour Booking Representation Opus 3 Artists 470 Park Avenue South, 9th Floor North, New York, NY 10016 212.584.7500 www.opus3artists.com

CONTRIBUTORS

STAFF

FOUNDATIONS

ARTISTIC DIRECTORS

Autzen Foundation Bill Healy Foundation Collins Foundation Franklin & Dorothy Piacentini Charitable Trust Jackson Foundation James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation Juan Young Trust Eastern Division Kinsman Foundation Oregon Arts Commission Oregon Cultural Trust Regional Arts & Culture Council Rose E. Tucker Charitable Trust Starseed Foundation The Oregon Community Foundation The Wheeler Foundation Trust Management Services, LLC Work For Art RACC Wyss Foundation

INDIVIDUALS Alison Bailey Cassandra Baisden Suzy Bennett Linda Boekelheide Jerold Bogorad Bob & Chris Brands Sandra Bruce Sandra Bruce Ellyn Bye Walter Cahall Ron & Dora Calhoun Natasia Chan & Thomas Gronke Renee Chauvin & Catherine Egan Robert Conklin Sandra DeMaster Larry Dickerson Glenda Edwards Susan & Terry Egnor Cindy Evans Paisly Fecteau Liz Field Debra & Charles Fleisher Kyle & Charles Fuchs Barbara Gibbs & Robert DiFranco Thomas Giese & Nora Lehnhoff Cynthia Gladen Harold Goldstein Mark & Helena Greathouse Michael Griggs Wanda Halbakken Pauline Hansen & Gregory Oline Lorraine Hanson Gayle Harris Diana & Richard Harris Christine Heycke & Michael Korinek

Diana Hinatsu Gretchen Holden Sandra Hyslop Jeremy & Helen Ives Alan Jones Beverly & Peter Jorgensen Elaine & Edward Kemp Jackie Kraybill Ronni Lacroute Joy Leo Molly Little Judy Lyons Christine Mackert, M.D. Michael & Dixie Manwaring Kathy Marambe Jeanette McDermid JoAnne & Don McLeod Barbara Mills Gary Monahan Mary Oslund Lucinda Parker & Steve McCarthy Dr. Helen Paulus Betty Pendarvis Laura Potter Carolyn Potts Scott Pratt Jennifer Priest Joanna Priestley & Paul Harrod David Ritchie & Lajean Humphries Arlene Schnitzer Erika & Clay Schuster Alan & Gwendolyn Shusterman Sarah Slipper & Scott Lewis Claire-Elizabeth Sloan Walter Smith Bill & Barbara Spears Lynn & Robert Stafford Ross Taylor & Diane Cullison-Taylor George & Nancy Thorn Maureen & Tom Throckmorton Carol Triffle & Jerry Mouawad Melinda Vaughn & Jeff Molander Danielle Vermette Cynthia Wales Shannon Ward & Mark Adamski Mona Warner Frederick Wearn, M.D. Karla Wenzel & Fred Miller Carrie White Carolyn Wieden Frederick Williams & Mary Beth Yosses Carl Wilson & Evan Boone Carla Wiper Anita & Marvin Witt Jena Woodbury Arthur Wright

Carol Triffle Jerry Mouawad ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS Michael Cavazos Bronnie Rice Nathan Hansen Ken Hansen Mona Huneidi Sarah Andrews Anna Sell BOOKEEPING Portland Bookkeeping ACCOUNTING Rick Hug and Associates GRAPHIC DESIGN David Deide IMAGO THEATRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Molly Little Carol Triffle Richard Segura Katherine Grey Paul Harrod Paisly Nejal RESOURCE COUNCIL Lynn Stafford George Thorne Cynthia Furman Tour Booking Representation for La Belle Opus 3 Artists 470 Park Avenue South, 9th Floor North, New York, NY 10016 212.584.7500 www.opus3artists.com

IMAGO’S FROGZ | 5

A grimy engine room of a steamship becomes an enchanted theatrical playground where Beauty and the Beast comes to life with puppetry, shadow theatre, a multitude of effects, song, drama and comedy. Imago’s long-awaited spectacle will dazzle your eyes, enchant your heart and intrigue your imagination. A spectacle like no other. A story-within-astory-within-a-ship.

SEE WHAT CRITICS ARE SAYING “Populated with 100 astonishingly detailed automata, puppets and other dazzling non-digital effects... a nonstop eye-popper. After several years in the making, Imago Theatre’s tricky, visionary new take on Beauty and the Beast arrived this past weekend. And what a landing. It’s all wow factor. ..”

Lee Williams, The Oregonian “A triumph! A beauty of a Beauty… Imago’s La Belle is a creature of a rare and wonderful sort, a show you may well want to see over and over again, both to marvel at its graceful mechanics and to soak in its symbolic resonances about the human, animal and spiritual in us all…. with a tone that’s often whimsical but never cutesy, finding that sweet spot of family entertainment that’s really for the adults, even if the kids are so enthralled that they won’t notice. .” Marty Hughley, Oregon Arts Watch PUPPETRY, SHADOW THEATRE, AMAZING EFFECTS - A DAZZLING IMAGO SPECTACLE

“Should be at the top of your holiday to-do list!

Creative! Engaging! I loved the story, theatrics, and its comedic charm… ” Debbie Tofte, PDX Parent “Masterpiece..Alluring!.. a complexity that engages adults but just the sort of magic and suspended reality that appeals to little ones. A story synopsis would not do this production justice; in fact, you could walk into the theater knowing nothing about Sam, Rose or Beauty and the Beast and find yourself instantly enchanted. Vadala and Davis expertly command the stage, theater and your attention with every word and movement, drawing you into their world aboard La Belle and then into the fairy tale land of Belle and Beast, and the intricacy of moving set pieces and elegant puppets are a continual feast for the eyes....

Karel Chan, NW Kids Magazine “Triffle and Mouawad have outdone themselves with this production… And it all works together to perfection… a masterpiece …. raised to an infinite degree. A delicious feast for the eyes and ears and nourishing fodder for the soul… a cornucopia of sights and sounds that burrow through the hard shell of adulthood to the child-like wonder of innocence and imagination, too long buried. The creators of the music and songs, the sound designer, and all the many designers/builders of the set, costumes, lighting and, of course, the puppets, are to be highly commended.

This is a work of Art, make no mistake about it…”

Dennis Sparks, All Things Performing Arts TICKETS: Tickets 503.231.9581or TicketsWest.com 503.224.8499 $17.50 Kids, $29.50 Youth/Senior $37.50 Adults Recommended for ages 4 and older.

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HOTEL GONE

DEC 14 TO 23

HOTEL GONE

Where identities shift, love is uncertain, and souls search for substance.

A MASH-UP OF DANCE AND LIVE MUSIC

THE REUNION JAN 12 TO 20

BY CAROL TRIFFLE

“Makes you laugh out loud while it’s quietly breaking your heart...”

Bob Hicks, Oregon Arts Watch

IMAGO THEATRE - 17 SE 8TH -TICKETSWEST.COM or 503.231.9581

FROM THE CREATORS OF FROGZ AND ZOOZOO

LO S T I N T H E WO R L D O F T H E AU TO M ATO N

APRIL 6 - APRIL 29, 2018 T I C K E T S W E S T. C O M o r 5 0 3 . 2 3 1 . 9 5 8 1