A NEW MUSICAL

ANANI& theFROG

WISDOM COMES IN THE MOST UNEXPECTED VOICES.

An original youth musical about friendship, freedom, and the meaning of home — book and lyrics by indie author Soni Mars.

MARCH 2027 WORKSHOP HEAR THE MUSIC

Official poster for Anani and the Frog — a young Ashanti princess faces Bakari, a warrior in frog form holding a spear, before a golden sunset over the water

COURAGE. CURIOSITY. CONNECTION.

THE STORY

A princess. A warrior. A promise.

Anani, a spirited young Ashanti princess, travels from Africa to America with her mother to visit relatives. From the moment she arrives, she is disturbed by the enslavement of African people around her and struggles to reconcile her own freedom with their suffering. Desperately homesick, Anani wants nothing more than to return to Africa.

When she loses a treasured pearl earring given to her by her grandmother, help comes from an unlikely source: Bakari, a talking frog — once a proud Mandinka warrior, captured, enslaved, and cursed into his present form. In exchange for retrieving the earring, Bakari convinces Anani to keep him secretly, carry him home to Africa, and set him free.

The two clash at every turn — she finds him demanding and irritating; he finds the princess spoiled and impossible. But bickering gradually gives way to trust, and trust to true friendship. When Bakari disappears, Anani must find her friend and help him confront the curse that stole his human form.

Their journey becomes about more than breaking a spell. Two young Africans, displaced in very different ways, discover courage in one another, fight for the freedom to determine their own futures, and hold tightly to their shared dream of returning home.

THE COMPANY

Characters

An all-youth company brings the world of Anani and the Frog to life through acting, singing, and movement.

ASHANTI PRINCESS · LEAD

Anani

A 15-year-old Ashanti princess — intelligent, outspoken, proud, compassionate, and fiercely independent. Homesick for Africa and deeply disturbed by the enslavement she witnesses in America.

MANDINKA WARRIOR · LEAD

Bakari

A young Mandinka warrior, enslaved and cursed into the form of a frog. Proud, witty, stubborn, and brave — carrying deep fear and grief beneath his bravado, and a fierce determination to become human again.

ANANI'S MOTHER

Mama

Regal, practical, loving, and protective. She tries to temper her daughter's outspoken nature while growing increasingly concerned about Anani's unhappiness in America.

AMERICAN RELATIVE & HOSTESS

Auntie

Strong-willed and accustomed to a way of life Anani finds deeply troubling. She provides both familial conflict and humor.

ANANI'S RELATIVE

Uncle Kwame

Well-meaning and somewhat oblivious to Anani's secret friendship with Bakari. His decision to remove a frog from her bedroom has unexpected consequences.

YOUNG COUSIN

Ama

A lively member of the household who gives Anani a peer relationship within the family.

CURIOUS COUSIN

Kojo

Funny, persistent, and observant — the first family member to suspect there is something very unusual about Anani's frog.

BAKARI'S FORMER MISTRESS

The Witch

The woman responsible for Bakari's curse. Mysterious, menacing, and powerful; her presence alone is enough to terrify the otherwise fearless warrior.

ALL-YOUTH COMPANY

The Ensemble

Portraying enslaved Africans, members of the community, and other characters who help create the world of the musical through acting, singing, and movement.

THE MUSIC

Songs from the Show

A first listen to two numbers from the original score — book and lyrics by indie author Soni Mars.

How Can It Be

THE OPENING NUMBER

Don't Say Goodbye

ANANI & BAKARI'S DUET

Bakari's Curse

THE TRANSFORMATION

What I Want

ANANI'S YEARNING

SAVE THE DATE

World Premiere Workshop

March 2027

Anani and the Frog will be workshopped in March 2027 — the first step toward its inaugural production with an all-youth company. We are assembling the creative team now, and we would love for you to be part of the journey.

ORIGINAL SCOREALL-YOUTH COMPANYINAUGURAL PRODUCTION

JOIN THE JOURNEY

GET INVOLVED

Bring the Story to Life

Anani and the Frog is an independent production, and it will take a village. Here is how you can help.

Direct or Choreograph

Helm the inaugural show. We are seeking a director and a choreographer to shape the world premiere workshop in March 2027 and guide our all-youth company.

Donate

Fuel the production. Your contribution directly supports the March 2027 workshop and helps bring this original story — and its young cast — to the stage.

In-Kind Donations

Give in kind. Materials, services, space, and expertise are every bit as valuable — every gift helps the show take the stage.

To lend your talents, make a donation, or contribute in kind, reach out to the creative team — every offering helps two young travelers find their way home.