CHICAGO—One of the delights of children’s shows is watching kids in the audience shriek with laughter and cheer when their favorite characters come to life on stage. Such was the case for “A Year With Frog and Toad,” now playing at Chicago Children’s Theatre. Indeed, the kids’ enjoyment of the play was so infectious that the adults were giggling and clapping right along with their tykes.
This childhood story was adapted from children’s author and illustrator Arnold Lobel’s beloved 1976 book, “Frog and Toad All Year.” Robert Reale added music to the play, and his brother Willie wrote the book and lyrics. While the show is a fun-loving escapade that entertains the child in all of us, it also spins a warm tale of friendship and family.
The focus of the play is on the relationship of two amphibians, Frog and Toad, as they tackle life through four seasons. It begins with their winter hibernation and moves through spring, summer, fall, and ends where it began, with a winter hibernation.
Nothing is stinted in this production’s crafting. It features plenty of creativity by talented artists and great performances by the cast. Set designer Courtney O’Neil did a terrific job creating a wonderful backdrop for the theater-in-the-round configuration. The main area is encircled by comfortable benches; smaller areas nearby suggest Frog’s and Toad’s rooms, and an area off to the side, draped in blue, suggests water.
The lighting by Jared Gooding creates a sunny atmosphere and the costumes by Rachel Healy are a hoot. Her costumes make hilarious use of shells and tails as applied in Toad’s swimsuit—a suit he’s reluctant to have others see him in.
Directed with a keen sense of humor by Michelle Lopez-Rios, the show overflows with laughs and engaging figures. The two main characters of Frog and Toad are direct opposites. Frog, played with adorable charm by Eduardo Curley-Carillo, looks at life through a positive perspective, while Toad, played with great comic flare by Nick Druzbanski, has a tendency to see the world as a glass half-full.
Even though Frog and Toad are totally different in their dispositions and views, they are the best of friends and care deeply for one another. They represent the virtue of tolerance by accepting others’ foibles, and the importance of helping those we care for. And despite their differences, they enjoy baking cookies together, playing at the beach, sledding in the snow, and are always there for each other.
Frog and Toad are accompanied by interesting and wonderful animal friends: Mouse, Turtle, Lizard, Mole, Snail, Squirrel, and a chorus of Birds. These charming creatures are portrayed with humorous touches by Laura Murillo Hart, Leslie Ann Sheppard, and Diego Vazquez Gomez—a riot as the slow Snail who takes forever to deliver an important letter.
Frog and Toad, and their friends especially enjoy singing and dancing, which provides some wonderful moments in the show. With music direction and sound by Christie Chiles Twillie and choreography by Micah Figueroa, tunes such as “I’m Coming Out of My Shell,” “Cookies,” and “Getta Loada Toad” are highlights.
As is the case with all good children’s story, there is a moral. It demonstrates that you can befriend those with different opinions and different outlooks on life. And not only can you like those who are quite different from you, but you can love them as well.
“A Year With Frog and Toad” offers heartfelt joy that’s not just for kids. From children to teens to adults, it’s for everyone.
