SEE IT: Delightful and impactful, we all should spend “A Year with Frog and Toad” (UnProfessionally Recommended!)
As mentioned in my review of Here There Are Blueberries:
“I consider the best theatre to be the kind where you leave your seat changed in some way…”
That feeling of change within you can manifest in all kinds of ways, and it is a very special and distinct experience that surpasses the satisfaction of simply being entertained. I am so thrilled that there is a production in our area that offers this special experience for audiences of all ages.
Our world has never been more divided, and the news shared from across the globe is so tragic and devastating. Especially post-pandemic, there has never been more need to actively show compassion and care for one another. I almost get emotional writing this because I find Imagination Stage’s A Year with Frog and Toad to be the perfect show for this moment. Not only is it an exquisite theatrical treat, but it is a beautifully endearing story of friendship with thoughtful life lessons for all to learn.
Let’s set the scene: follow a year of adventures with best friends Frog (Deimoni Brewington) and Toad (Evan Casey), with plenty of laughs and cookies along the way!
Based on the beloved series of children’s books by Arnold Lobel, this musical adaptation by brothers Willie and Robert Reale flows like a chapter book, with each scene covering a new adventure as the year goes by. With witty songs and a vibrant array characters and scenarios, there is so much in A Year with Frog and Toad for audiences to delight in. I was already quite satisfied with how incredibly cute everything was, but I was in no way prepared for how artistically and thematically sophisticated this show would be.
Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) shows can sometimes be overly on-the-nose about what they want to teach or communicate to children. What I found so astounding about A Year with Frog and Toad was how simply and succinctly it integrated valuable lessons of friendship into these stories. Within scenes of flying kites or going sledding are fantastic examples of encouragement and support, acts of kindness and generosity, being considerate of each other’s needs, and so much more. Frog and Toad’s actions were all motivated by the love and respect they share for each other, and I found these demonstrations of care and connection enormously effective and incredibly moving. Even as a somewhat jaded adult, I was inspired to be a better friend, and I am grateful that this production reminded me of how influential theatre can be.
This 2003 Tony Award nominee for Best Musical is elevated to further artistic excellence by an impressive production from Imagination Stage. The creativity of the staging and design elements captured the imaginative visual thrill of storybooks so stunningly. Director and choreographer Ashleigh King accessed the show’s heart and reached its every potential for a joyously impactful experience. Sarah Beth Hall’s scenic design, with vaudeville inspirations, is zestfully theatrical with impressive ingenuity. Debra Kim Sivigny’s costume design brought these illustrated characters to life with beguiling curation. Andrea “Dre” Moore took every opportunity for imaginative props design, such as acorn mugs or a lily pad leaf umbrella. The level of detail that went into every element of this production left me in awe.
These wonderful characters are in excellent hands with this exuberantly talented cast. An animated storyteller, Deimoni Brewington bring great playfulness to the outgoing and jovial Frog. As his foil, Evan Casey finds great comic variety in the grouchy, nervous, lovable Toad. Their chemistry onstage is sweet and sincere, further enriching the show’s lessons of friendship and connection. In their variety of supporting roles, Sydney Dionne, Quincy Vicks, and Karen Vincent light up the stage with buoyant enthusiasm and silliness, especially as the three birds. Vincent in particular steals the show as the hilariously determined Snail.
I wish it didn’t take this long for me to experience these beloved characters, but I could not have asked for a better introduction. As an adult, I adored this production and was moved by its life lessons. If I were a child, I personally would have begged to see it again AND would have been inspired to pursue theatre. I encourage you all to go see this production — not only because it is gorgeously entertaining, but because it demonstrates the kind of healthy, supportive, loving relationships we should strive for. Brilliantly conceived and enchantingly executed, it is my UnProfessional Opinion that you SEE A Year with Frog and Toad — and it is UnProfessionally Recommended!
A Year with Frog and Toad
Based on the books by Arnold Lobel
Book and lyrics by Willie Reale; music by Robert Reale
Directed by Ashleigh King
Imagination Stage
November 15, 2023 — January 7, 2024
