Generations of children and their parents and grandparents have been delighted over the years with the charming tales of a kind and friendly Frog and his grumpy and easily scared friend Toad who revel in wonderful adventures. Now these books have been faithfully translated to the stage for a new experience with live actors and exciting experiences in the forest, on a pond, down a slope, by a fire, or over cookies. You’re invited to take a child’s hand and hop on over to Playhouse on Park in West Hartford until Saturday, June 6 for a surprising encounter with “A Year with Frog and Toad.” What a lovely and fun way to introduce little ones and remind their elders of all the joy these stories that have been written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel serve as fond reminders of favorite fables.
These beloved books have now been transformed into a charming musical for Broadway and beyond with book and lyrics by Willie Reale, music by Robert Reale and direction by Kevin Cronin. Musical direction is by Robert James Tomasulo, choreography by Travis Kendrick-Castanho, set design by Dhruv Patel, costumes by KT Farmer, lighting by Alice Jackins, sound by Joshua Hamre, props by Kyla Madore and production staging by Rebecca Donaghy.
This Theatre for Young Audiences is ready to take you through the seasons of the year starting with waking from winter hibernation to welcome Spring by planting a garden. A trio of birds chirp in their adorable men’s tie costumes, Mia Sirinsky, Yumeko Stern and Jimmy Donohue, to wake up their reluctant amphibians that winter is over. The three will change a gazillion outfits to play assorted turtles, squirrels, moles, mice, snail, lizards and frogs to our delight. Meanwhile Ryan Henzi’s Frog and Garrison Hunt’s Toad find themselves in interesting situations as one leaps up to clean his house and the other makes up excuses to sleep another month.
When he does reluctantly arise, Toad complains that he never gets any mail. Remember that, as it is an important storyline and the postman is a very dedicated but oh so slow Snail. A dancing turtle sings happily about how funny Toad looks in his bathing suit. Toad ruminates on how hard it is to tell if his cookies are ready to eat since his clock is broken. Both friends try to surprise the other when Fall comes. Can you guess? It involves a rake.
Suddenly it’s a dark and stormy night and Toad is afraid Frog is lost in the woods. Never fear. Frog is fine and it is winter again and the two best friends are together for Christmas Eve. They have learned that neither can be happy unless the other one is too.
For tickets ($25 with $3.50 service fee, seniors and students $2.50 discount), call Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, West Hartford at 860-523-5900 ex. 10 or online at www.playhouseonpark.org. Performances are Saturdays May 30 and June 6 at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Also show Wednesday, June 3 at 3 p.m. The play is perfect for Pre-K to Grade 5. The production is supported by The Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, Greater Hartford Regional School Choice Office and Miracle League of Connecticut. Check out the series of Summer Sessions for Children at the Playhouse starting soon for little budding thespians.
Come enjoy the vaudeville flavored humor as Frog and Toad highlight the joy of going through life with friends by their side.
No comments:
Post a Comment