The Young Auditorium Wishing Star Productions produced a theatrical performance called “A Year with Frog and Toad.” Based on a children’s book written and illustrated by author Arnold Lobel, this production came to life in a musical adventure written by brothers Robert and Willie Reale that explains the adventure of two best friends, Frog and Toad.
This musical features mini-stories, a jazzy upbeat and cast members from Wishing Productions: Joshua McLemore (Frog), Charlie Turner (Toad), Audrey Beyersdorfer (Turtle), Colbe Chitwood (Lizard) and Sarah Youngblood (Mouse/Choreographer). This cast performed a well-written children’s book for the eyes to see and in the spotlight. The performance opened with a jazzy outgoing introduction to Frog and Toad accompanied by cheerful greetings amongst each other in the springtime.
This led to the songs “A Year of Frog and Toad” and “Spring” performed with the beautiful soprano voices of the cast. They explain the blossoming friendship between Frog and Toad and the season of spring with the hardships of Toad’s sadness in the springtime because he never gets letters, which inspires the humble Frog to send a letter to best friend Toad. The Frog and Toad go in through the spring as Frog’s letter is on the way to Toad and they have a life lesson of saving and sharing delicious cookies in the song “Cookies.” It did an excellent job portraying friendship and showed them trying to develop willpower together.
As the spring transitions to fall, Frog and Toad start doing more nice gestures for each other. The shy Toad is supported by Frog by flying a kite. It shows the friendship between them and that Frog values his friendship with Toad by trying to surprise him with nice gestures as Toad would do the same portrayed by the song “Leaves.”
Winter then blew around and Toad was still upset about his lack of letters. So, Frog springs to action to cheer him up. But a conflict arises in their friendship, portraying how best friends sometimes have to swim the river to meet each other’s problems. When they emerge and come eye to eye it can be resolved, making their friendship stronger than ever. Frog and Toad’s friendship became stronger, making Toad realize how much Frog cares. The show brings a happy, musical, jazz, dance finale making the heart of the audience melt with joy.
This performance brought cheer to the children that came and also a great memory for their parents of a book that they enjoyed as kids. Now they get to share that memory with their kids and it really gives off a good message that friendship is important.
