A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD by Robert Reale and Willie Reale (Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, 165 Front East). Runs to December 30, see lktyp.ca for details. $10-$20. 416-862-2222. See listing. Rating: NNNN
A Year With Frog And Toad makes 12 months go quickly by in an afternoon that will delight even the youngest of theatregoers.
Based on the books by Arnold Lobel about the friendship of the up-tempo Frog (Allen MacInnis) and his sometimes grumpy neighbour Toad (Louise Pitre), the show touches on themes of getting along, caring for others and sharing feelings. Despite these feel-good ideas, there’s nothing treacly in the presentation.
Written by brothers Robert and Willie Reale, the musical is mostly cheerful in its simple-rhyme songs, with moments of humour that adults will appreciate along with their children.
The kids especially love the complaining Toad, who sometimes gets cranky or a little worried Pitre, doing her first show for young audiences and clearly enjoying the experience, nicely captures the unsecurity that underlies Toad’s mood shifts. Watch her interpretive dance and instrumental skills when she tries to help her seedlings grow into flowers, or her shyness about being seen in her bathing suit when she goes for a swim.
The unexpected joy of this production is MacInnis, who both directs and performs you’d never know that he hasn’t been onstage in over two decades. I’ve admired his choice of productions and direction at LKTYP for years, and now, all angular limbs and wide-eyed stares, he’s demonstrating another skill in his wide range of talents.
A trio of others – Kevin Dennis, Cara Hunter and Jennifer Villaverde – fill out this natural world, playing a snail, a turtle, a mole and a trio of birds. They all warble well, singly and in unison. Dennis has a witty number as the snail, sent to deliver a letter but of course moving at a snail’s pace. You could call it a running gag, but Dennis never travels at that speed.
There’s lots more to admire, too, including Robin Fisher’s set that surrounds the stage with leaves, grass and flowers, and the musical direction by Diane Leah (who performs with Tom Jestadt, the pair seemingly stuck off in some corner of the forest).
The writing could use some pruning, especially since it’s performed here in one long act. As good as Dennis is as Snail, for instance, his song about coming out of his shell is an unnecessary add-on.
The 70-minute running time is a long spell for little ones to sit still. It’s a great show for preschoolers and older children, but there’s some restlessness in the second half.
Still, A Year With Frog And Toad is a great intro to theatre for youngsters. With all the talent involved, and staging that includes some soft shoe, vaudeville and a bit of Swan Lake, this gentle, endearing production will please their parents and grandparents, too.
