BWW Reviews: A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD Settles In for a Pre-Holiday Run at The Renaissance Center

Arnold Lobel's memorable characters from his collection of kid-centric books made the leap onto the Broadway stage in 2003 - thanks to the brother duo of Robert and Willie Reale - with the musical production of A Year With Frog and Toad. Although its run on the Great White Way was short-lived (audiences justifiably blanched at pay $90 a ticket for a show geared to younger audiences), A Year With Frog and Toad is having a full, rich life throughout the land with scores of productions popping up to delight audiences of all ages.

Now onstage at Dickson's Renaissance Center, in a sparkling production from The Center's Mind Enriching Theatre sure to delight, A Year With Frog and Toad is a delightful romp of a tale that explores the importance of friendship between two very similar, yet very different, people. "People?" you ask. Yes, people; anthropomorphic though they may be, Frog and Toad are as multi-dimensional as any person could possibly be. Richly drawn, artfully crafted and winningly enacted by the five-person cast, A Year With Frog and Toad is sweetly charming, featuring a musical score that's sure to set your feet a-tapping.

Robert Reale's music is sprightly and melodious, which allows Willie Reale's lyrics to shine. The two men are a gifted pair, to be certain, and they treat Lobel's original words with respect, allowing the gentle tale of these two friends to vividly come to life onstage for rapt young audiences.

Directed by Nathan W. Brown, who shares the stage with the other four actors as a bird, a lizard and a slow-moving snail charged with delivering the mail, the show's pacing is well-timed to engage younger audience members, with the fresh-faced and smiling cast capturing the feel of the piece with style and aplomb, all set to Bryan J. Wlas' creative choreography.

Andy Brown plays Toad (who's something of a worrier and a whiner, but appealing nonetheless) with a furrowed brow and anxious demeanor that masks a warm heart and generous disposition. He's paired with Bryan J. Wlas as Frog (sunnier and more cheerful than his amphibious friend), who never loses his cheerful outlook or allows his smile to wane even in the face of challenges. Together, the two men breathe life into the page-bound characters, relying on their tremendous talent and mad acting skills to effectively become Toad and Frog, ensuring that the audience will take them to their hearts, which allows their story of unwavering loyalty and friendship to be deeply felt.

Brown is joined in the ensemble by Emily Webb and Michelle Valenti, who play other wetlands creatures who populate the countryside that surrounds Frog and Toad's homes. Brown's snail is delightfully droll and well-played (kudos to costume designer Rachel Gallup for her inspired choices for Snail), while the actor shows his well-known command of the stage throughout his performance. Webb and Valenti are delightful in their slate of roles, with each woman showing off her abilities to entertain and to tell a wonderful story. Valenti is particularly animated, which obviously makes her a favorite with younger audiences, while Webb gives a fun and focused performance in her own right (even if her sense of direction is definitely askew).

Nathan A. Ray's lighting design is exceptionally well-conceived and executed, which helps to make the passage of time during this year in the lives of Frog and Toad so easily followed and understood by audiences of any age. Gallup's costumes are colorful and clever, showing off her technical wizardry and sense of whimsy.

Running through December 16 at The Renaissance Center, A Year With Frog and Toad is a perfect pre-holiday season diversion which helps to underscore the importance of letting the people you know that they matter to you and that you're all on this grand adventure of life together.

-  A Year With Frog and Toad. Music by Robert Reale. Book and lyrics by Willie Reale. Based on the books by Arnold Lobel. Directed and with musical direction by Nathan W. Brown. Choreographed by Bryan J. Wlas. Presented by The Mind Enrichment Theatre at The Renaissance Center, Dickson. Through December 16. For details, visit the website at www.rcenter.org. For tickets, call (615) 740-5600.

 

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