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A Year with Frog and Toad
Music by Robert Reale
Book and Lyrics by Willie Reale
Based on the books by Arnold Lobel
Directed by Henry Godinez
Produced by Chicago Children’s Theatre
At the Goodman’s Owen Theatre
170 N. Dearborn
Chicago, IL
Call 312-443-3800, tickets $17 - $38
Fridays at 6:30 PM
Saturdays at 10 AM & 7 PM
Sundays at 11 AM & 3:30 PM
Running time 1hr, 50 min with intermission
Through March 5, 2006
A Year with Frog and Toad is a charming and sweet children’s musical
At last a downtown Equity children’s theatre company in Chicago. Welcome Chicago Children’s Theatre (CCT)! Led by Jacqueline Russell (former Lookingglass Theatre Executive Director) and Todd Leland (former board president of Lookingglass Theatre), CCT has launched its initial offering, A Year with Frog and Toad, a 2003 Tony Award nominated musical cleverly directed by Henry Godinez. This was an excellent choice since the show is kid proof and adult friendly.
Based on the Arnold Lobel’s children’s books, Frog and Toad, is a sweet, family musical filled with nice lessons, whimsical catchy tunes and lots of heart. Bradley Mott, as the ‘worry-wart’ Toad is so lovable, the kids instantly warm up to him. Mott shows his vulnerability and his humanity (with his exquisite comedic talent) toward his best friend, Frog, while he extends much pleasantry to the birds, the snail and the mouse. Frog (Joseph Anthony Foronda in a smart, cheerful performance) is the wise, loyal and friendly amphibian.
Ora Jones, Julie Ruth and La Shawn Banks add rich harmonies as the birds; La Shawn Banks is a hoot and sings up a storm as the snail slowly delivering a letter from Frog to Toad in a clever running gag. Kudos to CCT for casting from the Equity “A” list triple threat players.
This child-pleasing show is so smart, so smooth, so polished that it is excellent fare for Broadway musical fans as well as families. With catchy lyrics, cute rhymes and 1940’s jazz styled music, the brothers Reale (Robert for music and Willie for lyrics) have created a bouncy memorable score that delivers humor, good will and heart. The story covers a year, all four seasons, with lessons in how to make cookies, flying a kite, raking leaves for your neighbor and telling scary stories. Each scene reinforces the lesson and rewards of sharing and caring for your friends. The witty lyrics delivered in polished vaudevillian Broadway style with gobs of shtick was pure joy for musical theatre patrons.
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The humor and vivid set (designed by Geoffrey M. Curley) gave stimulating visuals to fuel the children’s imaginations. With short, fast paced songs and cute humor, A Year with Frog and Toad is a tribute to cultivating friendships. Surprisingly, at just under two hours, the kids seemed so engrossed that there was hardly a whimper heard throughout. My informal survey of the children yielded a vigorous “thumbs up, way up” for this delightful musical. Again, welcome, Chicago Children’s Theatre to downtown Chicago. At last.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
This show eligible for a C. S.T. Equity Theatre Award
Talk Theatre in Chicago Radio Show
January 20, 2006
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