A Year With Frog and Toad may not be a holiday play but it is a celebration of friendship throughout the seasons, from the moment the two friends wake from hibernation until sleepy time rolls around again. The production of this classic children’s play by Young People’s Theatre features a strong cast of five under the direction of artistic director Randy White with choreography by Tuesdai B. Perri.
The play is based on Arnold Lobel’s award-winning books, Frog and Toad All Year, published in the 1970s. The retitled musical, A Year with Frog and Toad, was commissioned by Lobel’s daughter and adapted by brothers Robert Reale (music) and Willie Reale (book and lyrics). It premiered in 2002.
As audience families began walking in for the 11am performance, I thought hmmm, there are a lot of 3- and 4-year olds here. The last time I saw Frog and Toad, it was with an audience of first and second graders, sans parents. But in this case, the younger kids were very attentive, giggled at the appropriate times and clearly enjoyed the show. They weren’t watching actors dressed like familiar cartoon characters either. YPT’s production features five human actors, dressed in human clothes, acting and talking like their titular animals.
Ryan Stajmiger and Teddy Gales play the friends Frog and Toad, dressed in clothing color-coded green for Frog and brown for Toad. A chorus of three actors—Maliha Sayed, Sam Hook and Hannah Reman—play Mouse, Turtle, Snail and the Birds.
The story of Frog and Toad follows the seasons with gardening in the spring, flying a kite and swimming in the summer (Toad is embarrassed to be seen in his swim suit), baking cookies in the fall, and going sledding in the winter snow. And then it’s time to hibernate.
The three actors who play the chorus are all excellent singers and dancers. Maliha Sayed and Hannah Remian are most often Birds, in jaunty red dresses and hats. Sam Hook steals the show as Snail, who is determined to deliver an important letter to Toad from Frog. The question is: will he actually deliver it by the end of the play? Snail’s tiny mincing steps as he “hurries” on his way are popular with the audience. Hook also performs as Bird, replacing his dark clothing with a bright red suit and red fedora to dance with the red-dressed female birds.
Snail’s final number, “I’m Coming Out of My Shell,” as he does a modest striptease, also is an audience favorite.
Lauren Helpern’s scenic design is framed by two cottages for our heroes plus movable pieces that make the most of the small stage area. Lighting is by Kevin Rechner and sound design by Kurt Ottinger. Costumes are by Ellen McKay. Mark Finklea is stage manager.
A Year With Frog and Toad by Young People’s Theatre of Chicago continues through December 21. See it at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Running time is 75 minutes with no intermission. Tickets and more information here.
For more information on this and other productions, see theatreinchicago.com.
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