Children's books are often meant to be read to children by their parents. Those of Arnold Lobel, judging by the material here, seem especially well-adapted to this kind of encounter.
Amiable tales of amphibians
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD Book and lyrics by Willie Reale. Music by Robert Reale. With Mark Linn-Baker, Jay Goede, Danielle Ferland, Jennifer Gambatese and Frank Vlastnik. Sets by Adrianne Lobel. Costumes by Martin Pakledinaz. Directed by David Petrarca. At the Cort. Tickets: $25-$90. (212) 239-6200 Normally, unemployment is not the kind of thing a theater reviewer writes about. If our understanding of economic questions were sharper, after all, we wouldn't be theater reviewers.
But it is almost impossible to write about "A Year With Frog and Toad," a musical based on the popular children's books by Arnold Lobel, without referring to a very specific kind of unemployment.
Children's books are often meant to be read to children by their parents. Those of Arnold Lobel, judging by the material here, seem especially well-adapted to this kind of encounter.
What could be a better way for parents to bond with their young ones than through bedtime stories about friendship and kindness?
My concern is that a musical about Frog and Toad will lead to a dramatic increase in bedtime unemployment of Mommy and Daddy. If you can see your stories acted out on Broadway, who needs the road show?
As it happens, the musical, with book and lyrics by Willie Reale and music by his brother Robert, is entirely amiable.
The book follows two friends, Frog and Toad, through a year. Their adventures depend very much on the seasons.
Apparently Frog and Toad were born when a very young Adrianne Lobel explained the difference between the two to her father, who then wrote a book about them.
Adrianne Lobel has grown up to be a very gifted scenic designer and her sets, based on her father's illustrations, are - along with Martin Pakledinaz's costumes - the most enchanting thing about the show. She is also one of the producers.
The lyrics tend to be coy (leaves that are "swirling" rhyme with squirrels that are "squirreling"), but that's to be expected. The music is straightforward and sweet.
Though these stories often have amusing twists, there's nothing really dramatic about them. Nor does the material ever point to anything deeper, which is why my hunch is that the inflections Mommy or Daddy might give to a reading add considerably to the storytelling.
Frog is played by Jay Goede, Toad by Mark Linn-Baker (who happens to be married to Adrianne Lobel). Both bring a delightful joviality and drollness to their parts.
Danielle Ferland, Frank Vlastnik, and Jennifer Gambatese play all the other parts. Vlastnik is especially funny as a running joke, a snail postman. Ferland brings her trademark mock-nastiness to bear.
"Frog and Toad" is essentially children's theater, but since it is on Broadway, you pay adult prices. For $25, you sit way upstairs. To sit in the orchestra, it's $90.
My understanding of economics may be slight, but it is sufficient to know that it's cheaper and cosier to hear the original material in a familiar voice just before you get tucked in.
Originally published on April 14, 2003
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NYDailyNews.com