Synopsis(from the 2001 studio cast recording booklet) Following a brief (Fanfare), the god Dionysos, " an aging juvenile of great charm, "tiptoes on stage, followed by his slave Xanthias. He introduces himself with a few words of welcome and warning (Prologsu: Invocations And Instructions to the audience), then states his mission. Alarmed to find the theatre in such terrible shape, he is resolved to bring George Bernard Shaw back from Hades to write again for the stage. ("The say that art mirrors nature. With Shaw again on earth, perhaps nature may mirror art.") He and Xanthias begin a lengthy trek (Traveling Music) that takes them to the river Styx, where Charon, the aged boatman, ferries the souls of the dead to Hades. Dionysos purchases a round trip fare, and as he and Xanthias make the crossing, the frogs who reside along the river attempt to block their progress (Parados: The Frogs).Once in Hades, Dionysos learns that he has followers there: the Dionysians( "a happy band of men and women who lived the good life, who loved the theatre and never came late'). As they sing his praises (Hymnos: Evoe), Dionysos moves swiftly to complete his task. He arranges a meal with Pluto, god of the underworld, who has all the playwrights to dine with him on a regular basis. ( "They're a better bunch then most.") During his meal, Hierophantes, leader of the Dionysians, addresses the living, applauding Dionysos's dreams and determination; "He sees your outrage turning into disapproval. He sees your love turning into affection. He sees your involvement fading away." Yet to the other Dionysians, what does it matter if chaos might once again rule the earth? (Parabasis: It's Only A Play)
Dinner concludes, and as Dionysos learns the rituals of the underworld (Evoe For The Dead), he manages a conversation with Shaw, who proves even more acerbic than expected. He's pleased to return to the earth, but has little regard for his audiences, whom he finds servile, sheepish and vain. He's particularly merciless in his estimation of fellow playwright William Shakespeare (" a man with an extraordinary way of saying things, and nothing whatsoever to say"), resulting in a war of words between the two. Dionysons imposes order with an (Invocation To The Muses), then persuades Shaw and Shakespeare to engage in a contest in which they quote from their own writings on various topics. First "women," then "man," then "the life force," until the topic "life and death" prompts Shakespeare's song from Cymbeline (Fear No More). As Dinysos studies the transfixed faces of his followers, he knows what his choice must be: "You loose Bernard." Although Shaw argues that he stands '"for the great abstractions: conscience, virtue, integrity." Dionysos is forced to conclude: "But you are not a poet."
Dionysos makes his case to Pluto, who allows Shakespeare passage to earth. The Dionysians wish them well (Exodos:The sound Of Poets), swayed by their hero's dream to "bring the taste of wisdom in a feast of dreams to a hungry earth." Even the frogs watch in muted awe as the pair cross the river Styx. As the boat docks on earth, the music swells, and Dionysos introduces Shakespeare to his new audience, And the poet sets to work.
