The Frogs

Greece was left without a first-rate tragic poet, so Bacchus set out for Hades to find Euripides. The trip is a fearful one, and Bacchus, one of the less godly gods, dies a thousand comic deaths along the way. Unfortunately, nearly all of Aristophanes' allusions to the writers of his day are meaningless to modern audiences. To simulate the author's satirical stabs at the inferior poets of Ancient Greece, we have replaced the Grecian literary allusions with references to current television programs and popular songs. This is not an attempt to rewrite an immortal classic, but rather an effort to help modern audiences (especially young ones who may have a tendency to regard classics as stuffy) to understand Aristophanes' satire. Directors have permission to update the references. A delightful introduction to Greek comedy and an outstanding contest play for high schools, junior highs and colleges.