Broadway April 18, 2003

A Year With Frog and Toad

Reviewed By David Sheward

If you are a parent, uncle, or aunt, "A Year With Frog and Toad" is a perfect treat and introduction to the theatre for your young relative. Based on Arnold Lobel's charming "Frog and Toad" books, this wafer-thin entertainment follows the titular amphibians through the four seasons as they rake leaves, tell scary stories, swim, and sled. Hundreds of cookies are tossed about, snow falls over the audience, and there's even a Christmas scene. What more could a kid want?

Mark Linn-Baker is all befuddled buffoonery as the childish Toad, given to emotional outbursts and fits of enthusiasm. Jay Goede is the perfect sane foil as the more mature Frog, who teaches his best friend bravery and patience. Frank Vlastnik nearly steals the show as the determined Snail with the jazzy "I'm Coming Out of My Shell." Danielle Ferland and Jennifer Gambatese also have twinkly spots as various moles, squirrels, mice, turtles, birds, and other creatures.

David Petrarca's staging is as light and bouncy as the cute songs and book by Robert (music) and Willie (book and lyrics) Reale. There are plenty of catchy tunes with simple lyrics, just right for the small-fry theatregoers. The colorful sets by Adrianne Lobel (daughter of Arnold) and clever costumes by Martin Pakledinaz bring the books to joyous life.

The one sour note here is the price of tickets. At a top ducat tariff of $91.25, even with a substantial discount, a family of four will have to dip into their kids' college funds to see the show.

On the other hand, this show will probably turn up on many a theatre's roster for its children's schedule, so for actors, a visit would be a good idea.

Snagged from:
BackStage.com