Jennifer Haley & Tech Wonders Animate Mystery, Dark Humor

by Mary Lou Herlihy

“Froggy” lifts the two-dimensional world of a dark graphic novel off the page and artfully installs it onstage for us to ponder and enjoy.

Director Matt M. Morrow fills Froggy’s ominous journey with humor, mystery, and ACTION. And like any great graphic novel, shadows lurk behind the dazzling visuals. Jared Mezzocchi’s technical wizardry enhances our understanding of Froggy’s fractured world.

Lonely, young Froggy (charming Maeve Coyne) has no mom and an unavailable Dad (powerful Michael Ray Wisely). While her brother Rusty (resourceful Jed Parsario) risks his life in U.S. wars, Froggy escapes by watching insipid television dramas. When she finally moves to L.A. and falls in love with a struggling actor, he mysteriously goes missing. All the men in Froggy’s life disappear.

Jamella Cross plays grown-up Froggy, poignantly portraying a desperate woman trying to find her missing boyfriend Michael (comical Adam KuveNiemann). When she discovers a video game with clues to Michael’s disappearance, the antics pop and explode. Every time she holds up the game disc, sparks fly and audio bells sound—a delightful, wacky sight gag.

As Narrator, mellifluous Emily Newsome sticks to the facts from her high balcony perch. Newsome provides strong contrast with the emotional highs and lows of the cartoon-like characters.

As Froggy begins her quest, Cross boots up the video, and MATRIX-style projections fill the stage. A ubiquitous synth track booms, as we enter the violent world of “FINAL REDEMPTION.” Video icons fill the stage, while their projections dash through bombed out buildings. We are inside Froggy’s video universe—a unique treat featuring live GOPRO footage from characters’ POVs.

KuveNiemann now plays Tiger, a video character bursting with physical comedy. He wears an orange-striped suit with ammo belts crossing his chest— to fight unseen attackers. In pause mode, his body and limbs gently sway back and forth, awaiting reanimation and eliciting laughs.

The stellar ensemble embraces the dark weirdness with comic joy. As Delia and Celia, the marvelous Nancy Carlin delivers hysterical lines with a wink. When Froggy switches channels on a hotel TV, Carlin provides live voice-over for each absurd sound bite. Actors play double roles and triple as audio artists.

A little sound booth for a radio play catches our attention. Once I discover what’s going on back there, I am hooked. The actors take turns playing instruments and creating live sound effects. From the sounds of hidden video game attackers, through comical whistles and pops, the exaggerated sounds supercharge Froggy’s search for love.

The energy sputters some in a scene that takes place in an old mining town. But Froggy locates the headquarters of Smiley Face Production Company where nefarious activities are unfolding. Now, Froggy must make the most important decision of her life.

Through all the visual and auditory theatrics, we feel the depth of Froggy’s loss and longing, making her triumph that much sweeter. “Froggy” is a unique theatrical experience—full of wonder, stellar acting, and technical artistry. A worthwhile journey!

“Froggy” by Jennifer Haley, creative technology by Jared Mezzocchi, directed by Matt M. Morrow, scenic design by Sibyl Wickersheimer, costumes by Becky Bodurtha, lighting by Spense Matubang, sound/music by Nathan Leigh, at Center REP, Lesher Center, Walnut Creek, California.

Info: centerrep.org – to March 2, 2025.

Cast: Nancy Carlin, Maeve Coyne, Jamella Cross, Adam KuveNiemann, Emily Newsome, Jed Parsario, and Michael Ray Wisely.

Banner photo: Maeve Coyne, Jamella Cross, & Emily Newsome. Photos: Kevin Berne