Love, Friendship and Individuality

A Year With Frog and Toad

I want you to meet two great friends. Toad is short, brown and a little on the stout side. While just as caring as his friend, Toad is more uptight, serious and a bit pessimistic. Frog is taller, green,  considerably more cheerful and easy going. While it would appear that these two couldn’t be more different from each other, you know what they always say? Opposites attract. In this delightful one-act musical that celebrates brotherly love, friendship and individuality, they do indeed. We get to share a full year with this pair of endearing amphibians who are different, but deeply devoted to each other. 

Based upon the popular series of Caldecott and Newbery Award-winning children’s books by author and illustrator, Arnold Lobel, this charming musical adaptation broke new ground. In 2003, A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD became the first professional children’s theatrical production to play Broadway. Commissioned by Mr. Lobel’s daughter Adrianne, and beautifully adapted by the Reale brothers, Robert (music) and Willie (book & lyrics), this enchanting and engaging musical became a huge hit and was nominated for three Tony Awards.

Here in Chicagoland it’s July and a great time to dive into Marriott’s delightful Summer offering in their Theatre for Young Audiences. Children and their grownups will love discovering the adorable and amiable Frog and Toad, two woodland neighbors who are the very best of friends. Together they share with the audience an entire year of everyday, laugh-out-loud adventures that kids will both identify with and enjoy watching. From baking cookies to frolicking at the beach, from raking Autumn leaves to sledding down a snowy hillside in Winter, Frog and Toad, along with their forest friends, enjoy their lives together in the woodland. As the year goes by, lessons are learned and problems are solved and we see how much these two close friends truly care about each other. Theatergoers young and old will be warmed by the sincere joy and honest camaraderie found in their deep friendship.

A veteran of many productions at the Marriott (HEARTBREAK HOTEL, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN) Karl Hamilton plays Toad with so much vim, vigor and vivacity. Handsome Callan Roberts (SOUTH PACIFIC, Paramount; Tom Sawyer, Mercury Theater) is his calmer, more optimistic friend, Frog. Together they provide the Yin and Yang of the devoted friendship,  each complementing the other perfectly. Both actors bring to their roles a sparkling personality, trained vocals, delightfully executed dancing and finely-honed comedy skills. The two actors also radiate with an abundance of professionalism. The pair delight the audience with songs like the catchy title song, “Getta Loada Toad,” “Cookies,” “He’ll Never Know” and the touching “Merry Almost Christmas.”

Frog and Toad are beautifully supported by petite Sunnie Eraso (ARTHUR AND FRIENDS, Marriott; WHITE ROOSTER, Lookingglass), belter Marta Bady (THE COLOR PURPLE, Goodman; WAITRESS and FROZEN, Paramount), and funny, fantastic song-and-dance man Tommy Rivera-Vega (FINDING NEMO, IN THE HEIGHTS, Marriott; THE MUSIC MAN, Goodman). They portray Frog and Toad’s many woodland neighbors. The trio open and close the show playing colorful, twittering birds returning home from their migration, but they soon morph into a mouse, a turtle, a lizard and other animals. Sam is particularly hilarious and sensational as Snail, whose job it is to deliver “The Mail.” Upon successfully completing his task, Tommy sings the rousing, “I’m Coming Out of My Shell” that absolutely brings down the house.

The fast-paced, hour-long production is artistically and skillfully directed and choreographed by Elizabeth Romero, with superb musical direction by the always reliable Ryan Nelson. Marriott’s production is charming, often hilarious and even touching, at times. Scenic designer Wynn Lee has created Arnold Lobel’s imaginary world in a colorful setting. The show is nicely lighted with seasonal sensitivity by Conchita Avitia. Sound effects and mic amplification are provided by Michael Daly, while Cecilia Chan has masterfully designed all the oversize props. The actors’ expressive and chromatic costumes come courtesy of designer, Christina Leinicke, accented by Miguel Armstrong’s wig, hair and makeup designs. Grownups should be aware that after the show, there’s a short talk-back. The actors introduce themselves to the audience and then encourage young theatergoers to ask their own questions about the cast and how the production came together.

We are fortunate to have so many excellent theaters in Chicagoland. We’re particularly lucky that many of them offer polished professional productions aimed at younger theatergoers and their families. At the opening performance of A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, every child and his accompanying adult were held completely captive by the incredible energy and antics of this cast. There’s never a dull moment in the stories, sights and sounds created by this likable and talented cast. All I  can say is that I’m sure the late author and illustrator, Arnold Lobel, would’ve been very proud of the Marriott’s theatrical production of his most popular books. Please do not miss this captivating musical that celebrates love, friendship and individuality.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented July 10-August 9 by the Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 847-634-0200 or by going to www.MarriottTheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Photos by Justin Barbin