Froggie Went a Courtin At the Childrens Theater in Waycross Ga

I am passing this on to you if you have'nt been you need to go. We all need to support the arts in our communities


Please see message below from Flying Dragon Arts Center. Thanks




Heather Markle

Waycross-Ware County

Chamber of Commerce

Phone 912-283-3742

Fax 912-283-0121





Jacqueline Johnson and Willie Character bring their children's

musical to Flying Dragon Arts Center. The local authors have

in-trusted this delightful show to the local children's theater. Ms.

Johnson formerly of Waycross moved to Hahira, a few years ago, to be

near her children. She is formerly employed with Waycross College,

where the show premiered in the early 90's. Jacqueline Johnson wrote

the script to go with the classic folk song "Froggie Went A Courtin'

".Jackie is the twin sister of local artist Bobbie Johnson.

Mr. Willie Character, long time Waycross resident and music

educator, wrote the beautiful score and lyrics for this musical comedy

set in the Okefenokee swamp.. Ten songs were written for the show,

some of which will be heard for this first time on stage. Director

Chris Jeffords states; " Mr. Character has written some of the most

beautiful music I have seen in any show." He went on to add; " Ms.

Johnson and Mr. Character take children's theater seriously and have

produced an outstanding musical."

The cast of 20 includes many returning actors, and a few new

faces. Featured in the role of Froggie is Millwood resident Jason

Arnold. Jason's wife Tanya is stage director and their son Ethan plays

numerous roles in the show. Ethan was a lobster in our August

production of Alice In Wonderland. Jason Arnold started performing at

a very young age. His mother, Nella Arnold, was an accomplished

country and gospel singer. Jason was hired for his first professional

singing job at the age of 15 and was nominated for several awards by

his peers. He has also been honored to perform on some of the most

prestigious stages in the country in more that 1000 live shows by the

age of 21. At which time he met is wife, Tanya Cardwell Arnold from

Pierce County. Ethan Arnold is 6 years old. They attend his home

church, Zion Hill Free Will Baptist Church in Millwood. Jason is also

a talented pianist and guitarist with a variety of abilities from

classical to

bluegrass, and has accompanied some of the most talented people in

the music industry. We are very honored to have the Arnold family in

Froggie Went A Courtin'.

Returning actors include Debbie Ratliff as Mousie, Amy Allen as

Farmer Brown, Rachel Cardwell as Mother Goose,and Victoria Wasdin as

Lady Blue. Melaine Tucker is making her debut at the arts center as

Miss Kitty. A large group of children will be representing the many

animals of the Okefenokee as well as famous nursery rhyme characters.

All are invited to this special show with so many local

connections. There will be only four performances and seating will be

limited due to the elaborate set. The theater has been rearranged to

offer everyone a seat close to the stage. Froggie Went A Courtin' the

next two weekends at the arts center. Saturday's at 7pm and Sunday's

at 3pm. Price is $10.00. CAll 912-816-8164 for more information and

visit our website at www.livethearts.com . Flying Dragon Arts

Center 534 Plant Avenue Downtown Waycross