A Year With Frog and Toad Header

A Year With Frog and Toad

 

 Music by ROBERT REALE

Book and Lyrics by WILLIE REALE 

Based on the books by ARNOLD LOBEL 

Originally presented on Broadway by Bob Boyett, Adrianne Lobel, Michael Gardner, Lawrence Horowitz and Roy Furman

World Premiere at The Children’s Theatre Company Minneapolis, Minnesota 

A hit on Broadway, A Year With Frog And Toad was nominated for 3 TONY Awards - including Best Musical. Based on Arnold Lobel's beloved children’s books and featuring a jazzy, upbeat score by Robert and Willie Reale that bubbles with melody and wit, the show is an inventive, exuberant, and enchanting experience for the whole family.  This whimsical musical follows two great friends -- the cheerful, popular Frog and the curmudgeonly Toad -- through four, fun-filled seasons, meeting new friends like Man Bird and Lady Bird; Father, Mother and Young Frog; Turtle; Squirrel and many more along the way. Waking from hibernation in the Spring, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding, and learn life lessons along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in their differences that make them unique and special. Part vaudeville, part make believe, all charm, A Year With Frog And Toad tells the story of a friendship that endures, weathering all seasons.

The beloved pair is entering a new era with Frog and Toad, an animated series of eight episodes, each containing two stories, wich debuted April 28, 2023  on Apple TV+. Of the 16 short stories on screen, six are new additions, and the rest were adapted from the books.The series is executive produced by Lobel’s children, Adrianne and Adam Lobel, who hope the show will reintroduce new audiences to their father’s work.

Click here to listen to the Tony-nominated Best Original Score!

A Year With Frog And Toad, TYA Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

PRODUCER | CREATIVE TEAM

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:

A Year with Frog & Toad is produced by Wishing Star Productions, LLC,  the same theatre who produced the acclaimed tours of Grace for President and Giraffes Can't Dance.

CURRICULUM | AGES

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
- Literature
- Performing arts
- Theatre, music, dance
- Problem solving
- Emotional and social development
- Self expression
- Friendship

PUBLIC AUDIENCE: All Ages
SCHOOL TIME AUDIENCE: Pre-K – 5rd grade; ages 4-10

FACTS | STATS

 ABOUT THE BOOKS:

  • Frog And Toad Are Friends, written by Arnold Lobel in 1970, received a Caldecott Honor Award,
  • In 1973, Frog and Toad Together was named a Newbery Honor Book, making Lobel one of only a handful of authors to have received honor citations from both of children's literature's highest awards. 
  • Named one of the "Top 100 Picture Books" of all time in a 2012 poll by School Library Journal.

ABOUT THE MUSICAL:

  • A Year with Frog & Toad was nominated for 3 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.
  • It premiered on August 23, 2002, at the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis,

RAVES | REVIEWS

Raves for A Year with Frog and Toad 
“Frog and Toad, a delight for young and old.” – Boston Globe

“Robert and Willie Reale solidly capture the essence and heart of Lobel’s characters and stories. Robert Reale’s music is infectious, colorful, and rich in melody and character whereas Willie Reale’s lyrics are both witty and funny… provides plenty of fun and creativity for children and plenty of nostalgia and heart for the adults.” – Chicago Theatre Beat

“A fun evening, sure to entertain children and adults alike.” – TheatreMania

Raves for the Producer
“We had a fantastic experience with Casa Mañana…the company was wonderful!  Loved them- so professional! Terrific acting and one of the best young companies we have had!” – The Carson Center, Paducah, KY

“The cast and crew are extremely gifted and talented.  They were likewise very appreciative and respectful of our crews and residential employees.  The exchange was a joy. The company managers (both road and stage) were exceptional in communications and coordination of details associated with the event.” - The Centre for Performing and Visual Arts – Newnan, GA

"The entire production, from script to set to acting quality was top quality, and the study guide was impressive too.  It would be wonderful to have Casa Manana back to The Paramount as part of our Arts Education season."  - Catherine von Storch, Education Coordinator, The Paramount Theater – Charlottesville, VA