A Year With Frog and Toad At Children’s Theatre Company Is Delightful For All Ages

* Disclaimer: On March 28th I suffered a rupture in my right bicep muscle, which has left me without the use of my right arm. I will endeavor to continue seeing and reviewing shows however the reality is that the reviews will need to be significantly shorter. For now I will attempt to provide you, faithful readers, with a few sentences that will make clear whether a show is worth your time and money. My apologies to all of the artists in front of the curtain as well as behind whose work I may not be able to comment on. Hopefully this will be a short-term accommodation, I will do everything in my power to get back to writing full reviews as soon as is humanly possible.

A Year With Frog and Toad returns to the Children’s Theatre Company for the first time directed by outgoing artistic director Peter C. Brosius. There has been some cast changes which you may have read about in the news, I’ll leave that there, because whatever the drama behind the scenes was what’s onstage is a pleasant and warm experience. The performance I saw, Toad, normally played by Reed Sigmund, was played by his understudy Dean Holt. I think it’s safe to say based on what I saw that whoever’s playing the leads you’re going to be in good hands. Both Sigmund and Holt are long time company members and having seen each of them in countless productions, I knew we would see a great performance. The Children’s Theater Company recommends the show for all ages and I couldn’t agree more, it’s a great introduction to Young Folks. Though be warned if you have a very sensitive child there is one section, which in our car we called “the dark and stormy night” scene that did have some kids crying in the audience. Honestly, that was my favorite scene not because I like to hear kids in the audience crying, it’s just that I like a little spookable in my shows sometimes.

The performers Dean Holt has mentioned above as Toad and John-Michael Zuerlein as Frog give fully committed performances that speak well to young children while playing as good character work for the adults in the audience. The leads are supported by three ensemble players who play multiple roles Becca Claire Hart, Ryan London Levin, and Janely Rodriguez. Each gets a little moment in the spotlight to single themselves out from The Ensemble. For Hart it’s as Turtle, who can’t wait to see toad in a bathing suit. Levin gets the recurring character of snail who’s delivering what we now call snail mail. Rodriguez gets to play young frog in the “dark and stormy night” scene. The musical based on the books by Arnold Lobel is written by brothers Robert and Willie Reale, and the musicals filled with catchy songs. The Scenic Designer is actually Lobel’s daughter Adrianne Lobel, and her designs are beautifully realized. The entire look and feel of the show in fact, from costumes by Martin Pakledinaz and lighting by James F. Ingalls to the sound design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodine is well realized. I love the little moments of stage Magic that I think can do a lot to engage the imagination of young children. For example, the flowers of bloom instantaneously, the storm in that much loved dark and stormy night scene, and Frog and Toads sled ride down the snowy hill.

A Year With Frog and Toad runs through June 16th at Children’s Theatre Company for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://childrenstheatre.org/whats-on/frog-toad/

Tired of missing reviews from The Stages of MN? Do you find yourself left out when all your friends are talking about that great new play that you didn’t even know about? Never fear that never has to happen again. Now you too can subscribe and have every post from The Stages of MN sent directly to your email box. No more hoping the algorithm works in your favor and you actually see a post on facebook or Instagram. No relying on so-called friends to tip you to the best shows in town. To subscribe on your computer: from the home page on the right, enter your email address and click subscribe. On your mobile device scroll to the bottom of the page and do the same. You can also follow me on Facebook, @thestagesofmn click follow and on Instagram thestagesofmn. You can also read some of my reviews syndicated on the MN Playlist website https://minnesotaplaylist.com/ from time to time.

But that’s not all! Think I may have steered you wrong on a show? Well, I am also a member of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (TCTB), where you can read roundups of shows by m’colleagues and I when you follow us on facebook @TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers. We also produce the podcast Twin Cities Theater Chat!! which you can access through this link or wherever you enjoy podcasts https://twincitiestheaterchat.buzzsprout.com/ . Now you too can be in the know about all the fabulous theater happening in and around the Twin Cities.