The Tony-nominated musicalA Year with Frog and Toadhas returned to where it began - theChildren's Theatre. It's been back a few times since its brief 2002 Broadway run and subsequent nominations. I first saw it in 2017, and much of this review is borrowed from what I wrote then, since many of the production elements remain the same. But I had forgotten just how delightful this show is.Based onArnold Lobel's children's booksabout the friendship between a frog and a toad andcommissioned by his daughter Adrianne Lobel, whose original scenic design is used in this production,Frog and Toadis an utterly charming musical. Like many shows at CTC, it's designed with children in mind, but its sweet and simple story is so clearly and entertainingly told that it's a joy for all to behold. This is the final show directed by Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius, who is retiring after 27 years and countless incredible productions, many of them world premieres. This playful, funny, and sweet show is a wonderful swan song for Peter (continuing through June 16).
The musical begins at the beginning of the year, with Frog and Toad waking from hibernation in April (the chirping frogs in the wetlands behind my house have yet to wake up, they must be sleeping in like Toad). We follow them throughout the course of the year - planting a garden, swimming in the pond (even though "Toad looks funny in a bathing suit"), flying a kite, raking leaves, sledding down a hill. Pretty mild adventures, but done with such a sense of fun and friendship that it's impossible not to be charmed by them.
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Frog and Toad (John-Michael Zuerlein and Reed Sigmund)
(photo by Glen Stubbe Photography) |
At the heart of this story is the undying (although at times tested) friendship between Frog and Toad. One dignified and serious, the other a little bit of a mess, they're very different animals but the best of friends, in anOdd Couplesort of way. Longtime CTC company member Reed Sigmund returns to play Toad (the bit-of-a-mess one), and as usual cracks me up with every facial expression and physical comedy choice. He's well-matched in John-Michael Zuerlein as Frog, with a lovely heartfelt performance. The two really are a darling duo and so much fun to watch.
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the birds! (Janely Rodriguez, Ryan London Levin, and
Becca Claire Hart, photo by Glen Stubbe Photography) |
This musical employs a five-person cast, which is just the right size for this intimate story; a large ensemble would just overwhelm it.Busy ensemble members Becca Claire Hart, Ryan London Levin, and Janely Rodriguez are a delight as a multitude of creatures, including a trio of birds whose coming and going marks the turn of the year, with some yummy three-part harmony. They're all so playful with some great animal physicality. The entire show, under the direction of Peter Brosius, is playful and inventive, sweet and touching without being cloying.
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cookies! (Reed Sigmund andJohn-Michael Zuerlein)
(photo by Glen Stubbe Photography) |
The score (by brothers Robert and Willie Reale) is fun and clever and references a range of musical styles, and music co-director Victor Zupanc (with Denise Prosek) and his small pit orchestra keep it humming along. Daniel Pelzig's choreography is perfectly suited to the music and the story, a highlight being a little leaf-raking soft shoe. Adrianne Lobel's scenic design is quite striking, with many different colorful backdrops (like 2-D drawings you might find in the books) and large pieces for the houses and outdoor elements. Flowers growing, kites flying,and sleds sledding are accomplished with some clever and charming practical effects. Martin Pakledinaz's playful and colorful costume design keeps Frog and Toad looking like humans, but in their signature green and brown tones, while the other characters have a few more hints at their animal nature - ears or a tail or feathers. (One wonders how large of a warehouse CTC has to pull these historical productions out of storage!)
Like a year does as we get older,A Year with Frog and Toadzips by and is over before you know it. Clocking in at well under two hours, I would normally be complaining about the intermission. But kids need breaks, and when you throw cookies literally all over the stage (in one of the most delightfully fun moments of the show), an intermission is necessary. This show is a joy for all ages and will leave you with a warm glow, and maybe an urge to send a letter to a friend, or do an unasked-for favor for someone just to make them happy. The show only ran for two months on Broadway, but that doesn't mean it's not successful. Perhaps it's just too small and sweet of a story for the big stage, but that makes it perfect for CTC's stage.
FAQs
Frog remains cheerful and steadfast, while Toad is stubborn and relatable. We thank the author Lobel for teaching us how to not take ourselves too seriously. Nobody's perfect and everybody makes mistakes (even when we try our best!), just like Frog and Toad.
What is the moral of frog and toad together? ›
Frog and Toad tackle some pretty big ideas. Perhaps most importantly, they teach children to understand and appreciate their individuality. One story reassures kids that they don't always have to be brave. In “Alone,” we learn that it's okay to want to be have some time by yourself once in a while.
What is the main idea of frog and toad together? ›
The five stories are simple but interesting, practical yet humorous, and never stray from the central theme: The two friends can figure out almost any problem they face. Frog and Toad learn such things as patience, courage, and willpower.
What age is Frog and Toad for? ›
Parents need to know that Frog and Toad is a sweet animated series for preschoolers based on Arnold Lobel's beloved Caldecott and Newbery Honor-winning 1970s book series.
What reading level should a child be at the end of Year 1? ›
7 - Turquoise: Level 7 is the final stage of Year 1 reading levels. These reading books can be spotted on the shelves by the turquoise reading book band on the spine. Level 7 books include words that are chosen for appropriateness and impact rather than their decodability.
What is the theme of frog and toad all year? ›
Along with Lobel's other Frog and Toad books, Frog and Toad All Year is valued by experts in children's literature for its portrayal of the value of friendship.
What is the summary of the frog and the Toad? ›
Frog and Toad are Friends tells the story of two friends of different personalities and the adventures they get into. Each story explains how the friends view the situations they find themselves in and uses humor to help children understand how to accept the different personalities of others.
What is the lesson learned from Frog and Toad? ›
Friendship is everything
It seems simple, but it's important not to forget how important our loved ones are. Frog and Toad may not *always* understand each other because of their different personalities, but they always try to understand and unconditionally accept each other.
What is the spiritual meaning of Frog and Toad? ›
They are associated with supernatural powers, which are deeply ingrained in people's beliefs. Additionally, frogs and toads are believed to represent gods or sacred entities. They symbolize folk beliefs, Buddhism, rain, and abundance.
Were Frog and Toad in love? ›
“[Frog and Toad are] of the same sex and they love each other,” she told The New Yorker at the time. “It was quite ahead of its time in that respect.
Frogs, toads and newts are great pest controllers: they eat slugs, snails, beetles and flies in gardens and in crop fields. Some people call this an “ecosystem service” which just means a free benefit to humans from nature (other examples include pollination by insects, and flood prevention by plants.)
What is the central message of Frog and Toad? ›
The key theme throughout the stories is friendship. This universal theme resonates with early readers, who are simultaneously learning to socialize with other children as they develop their reading skills.
What is the plot of the musical Frog and Toad? ›
Waking from hibernation in the Spring, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding and learn life lessons along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in the differences that make them unique and special.
What does the phrase Frog and Toad mean? ›
frog and toad (plural frog and toads) (co*ckney rhyming slang) Road. I'm just going down the frog and toad to see my old china Dave. (= I'm just going down the road to see my friend Dave.)
What reading level is days with frog and toad? ›
Days with Frog and Toad is a Level Two I Can Read book, geared for kids who read on their own but still need a little help. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play of Level Two books are proven to help kids take their next steps toward reading success.
What level is guided reading for 3rd grade? ›
2nd Grade: 16-24. 3rd Grade: 24-38. 4th Grade: 38-40. 5th Grade: 40-50.
What grade level is level 3 all about reading? ›
AAR Level 3 corresponds with second-grade level reading, with a focus on more complex two and three-letter phonograms, prefixes/suffixes and base words, and longer multi-syllable words.
What reading level should a 3rd grader be at the end of the year? ›
The lettered reading levels correlating to third grade are N, O and P. So, typically, a child should be at a level N in the fall and advance to level P by the end of the year. However, some children may be below or above this range. If a child falls too far below this range, a parent may be concerned.
%20Janely%20Rodriguez,%20Ryan%20London%20Levin,%20and%20Becca%20Claire%20Hart%20in%20Children's%20Theatre%20Company's%202024%20production%20of%20'A%20Year%20With%20Frog%20and%20Toad'.%20Photo%20by%20Glen%20Stubbe%20Photography.JPG "\"A Year with Frog and Toad\" at Children's Theatre Company (3)")
