Frog and Toad, based off the characters from the beloved children’s books, are musical friends that will grab the attention of even the most skeptical 8-year-old audience member. The opening afternoon of A Year with Frog and Toad at NWCT’s the Judy was a total delight as my son and I watched happy-go-lucky Frog sing and dance through the seasons with their more cautious best friend Toad.
We grabbed our popcorn and drinks and settled in for the musical to begin. Initially unsure if he would like either the crowds or the story, my kiddo began with noise control headphones and his blanky, timidly looking over the crowd. Pro tip: Booster seats are widely available for littles. He was quickly drawn into the story which begins in spring. By summer the blanky was ignored, before fall the headphones were gone.
Here was his running commentary on both the characters and the plot:
- “I do NOT like when the other animals made fun of Toad,” as the cast rhymes about Toad looking funny in a bathing suit. It’s not nice to make fun of people, after all.
- “Where did the snail go?” an oft repeated line regarding fan-favorite Snail with the Mail.
- “Why are the squirrels messing up their yards?” regarding some mischievous squirrels and leaves.
My son’s final review of the play was that it was very good with nice singing, but “not quite as good as Harry Potter chapter one.” In adult speak I think that would be a 9/10.
Lively Performances
Frog and Toad is led by actors of the namesake characters who delivered solid performances that engaged audiences young and old alike. Illustrative choreography and cute props aids strong vocals with catchy lyrics. It’s probably impossible to “meet” Frog and Toad without wanting to be their friend too, as they leap (Frog) and look (Toad) around the stage.
A highlight of the story is the added depth of the supporting cast, who play a variety of woodland creatures. Turtle’s sass and silliness helped bring the chorus alive with dance and rhyme, with a standout performance. The Snail with the Mail adds both humor and hope to this children’s tale, reminding us that if you keep trying, you can achieve your dreams — even if it doesn’t happen quickly. The recurring appearance of Snail across scenes helps tie the stories together and added an almost hide-and-seek element of fun.
A well done show overall, A Year with Frog and Toad features talented performers, engaging storylines and vibrant visuals.
If You Go
April 6th-28th, Saturdays and Sundays with showtimes at 11 am and 2:30 pm
Run time of approximately 75 minutes with no intermission
Best enjoyed for ages 4 +
General Admission: $35 adults and $25 for youth (infants 1 and under are free)
Pro tip: Check special showtimes for ASL Interpreters or Mask-required performances
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