Wild Swan Theater to Continue 38th Season with FROG AND TOAD

Award-winning Wild Swan Theater continues its 38th season of bringing the finest professional theater to families with Frog and Toad, a charming production especially created for younger theater goers. Based on Arnold Lobel's wonderful stories by the same name, Frog and Toad will captivate children from ages 3 to 8.

Through storytelling, puppets, and props, the play explores the adventures of these two very dear characters and their great friendship.

Parents who have had a chance to read these much loved stories with their children will recognize some of the dramatized episodes, including Toad's efforts to hurry along the flowers in his garden by speaking poetry to his seeds or the difficulties Frog and Toad face trying not to eat ALL the delicious cookies Toad has baked. The humor and compassion of these stories will delight and touch parents and their preschool or early elementary school-aged children.

Wild Swan Co-Founders and Co-Artistic Directors Hilary Cohen and Sandy Ryder portray Frog and Toad. Other characters are created by Jeremy Salvatori, with whimsical puppets, such as the robin who laughs at Toad's kite and tells him it will not fly, and the turtle who carries Toad and his picnic basket across the river.

Integrating American Sign Language into its productions since 1986, Wild Swan has received critical acclaim for its outstanding interpreters and the way they are woven completely into every performance. Erin Parrish will be providing American Sign Language interpretation for all four performances of Frog and Toad. Set designer Toni Auletti has created an appealing setting for the production: sweet little houses for Frog and Toad, complete with picket fences and a swinging gate in between. The puppets as well as the jaunty costumes have been designed and built by Charlotte Pritchard.

The Saturday, January 27th performance will be followed by a brief "Meet a Real Frog and Toad" experience provided by the Leslie Science & Nature Center. LSNC staff are passionate about the natural world and experts in how wild things live, grow, adapt, and survive. There will also be a related craft activity for young theatergoers. We also want to thank Domino's Pizza for their sponsorship of this production.

Backstage touch tours and audio-description are available for blind theater patrons. These services are free but must be reserved in advance by calling (734) 995-0530.

---

IF YOU GO:

Wild Swan Theater Presents

FROG AND TOAD

Two of Arnold Lobel's most beloved characters, Frog and Toad, show how good friends help each other through thick and thin, cheering each other through the hard times and celebrating life's joys. Join Frog and Toad as they greet spring, plant a garden, and share a basket of cookies.

Performances:
Thursday, January 25, 10:00 am
Friday, January 26, 10:00 am and 12:30 pm
Saturday, January 27, 11:00 am

Tickets $12 for adults, $10 for youth and seniors
Discounts available for groups of 10 or more; $3 lap passes available for patrons under 2 years of age.
Purchase and Information: (734) 995-0530 or www.wildswantheater.org

Accessibility reservations: (734) 995-0530
Wheel chair seating
American Sign Language Interpreting
Audio-Description and Backstage Touch Tours

All performances at Towsley Auditorium, Morris Lawrence Building, Washtenaw Community College.

---

Wild Swan Theater is dedicated to producing professional children's theater of the highest artistic quality and to making that theater accessible to all families through low ticket prices and innovative outreach programs. For more information about the company, its current season, touring programs and drama classes and camps, visit the Wild Swan website at www.wildswantheater.org.