By Carina Reed

I spent this past Saturday night partaking in the wacky world of FROGZ at Salem’s Historic Elsinore Theatre . The production was produced by Imago Theater in Portland and has been on Broadway twice. This was the third time it has been in Salem, and the first time in 5 years.

This play was a great theatrical event, suitable for the whole family. The varied program provided nearly two action packed hours of fun. It started out with three performers doing acrobatics in stretchy green suits and detailed frog masks. I was amazed at how realistic they made the creatures.

Next was a skit called “Alligators & Lizards” featuring gators & Gila monsters with glowing red eyes, rolling and frolicking about on stage. My favorite part was called “Strings.” The performers used a black light, rubber-band like strings, and a white shirt to create blue flames and undulating waves of light that flitted and skittered across the stage to a musical score. The protean blue “whatchamacallits” floating here and there were simply breathtaking. The evening was rounded out with many other visual treats including a huge paper bag (10 feet plus) that miraculously came to life, penguins playing musical chairs, an acrobatic larva (the performer’s feet were forelegs and head and torso was a tail), dancing orbs and playful accordions.

FROGZ was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday night. I would encourage everyone to venture to a production next time they get the chance. For more information on Frogz, please visit the Imago Theater .

-Carina Reed