I just got back from seeing A Year With Frog and Toad at ICT Long Beach. This is the second production I’ve seen at this theatre, and I am growing more impressed with them at each production. The venue itself is small and has excellent site lines, on par with the Mark Taper Forum. The Artistic Director announced the 2006 season at today’s show: it included Jesus’ Kid Brother (the story of Jesus’ younger brother, Larry… talk about an inferiority complex) and Twentieth Century (but it was unclear if this was the musical version).
Anyway… returning to Frog and Toad. For those unfamiliar with play, it is based on the series of children’s books by Arnold Lobel. From beginning to end, from the coming of spring (and the end of Toad and Frog’s winter hibernation) to the next spring, when the birds fly back from their warm winter quarters, “Frog and Toad’ tells the story of two wonderful friends, Frog and Toad. They live down the road from each other in nearly identical houses and are close friends, so close that they share each other’s dream during their long winter nap. They spend their waking year sharing simple adventures: flying a kite, swimming in the pond, baking cookies, meeting with their friends in the neighborhood. They were written at the first grade level, and formed into a musical that went as far as being nominated for multiple Tony awards. It is less a continuous storyline (except for the Snail delivering the mail, a running (so to speak) gag), as opposed to a series of vignettes that demonstrate the deep and abiding friendship between the two.
The production starred Gary Cearlock as Frog, Danny Stiles as Toad, Elizabeth Brackenbury as (Bird, Turtle, Mouse, Squirrel, Mole, and Mother Frog), Jennifer Clinton as (Bird, Mouse, Squirrel, Young Frog, and Mole), and Jeffrey Landman as (Bird, Snail, Lizard, Father Frog, and Mole). Music and Lyrics were by Robert Reale and Willie Reale.
I found the show excellent. The actors playing Frog and Toad had (in my opinion) real chemistry. Even more amazing were the actors playing multiple roles, in particular Jeffrey Landman as Snail (who really went postal in the role).
What did the reviews say? The Press-Telegram noted it is “full of the kind of theatrical magic, endearing performances and clever effects that will charm adults as well as children.” As for the lead performers, they noted that “Cearlock’s Frog is a creature of gentle pleasures and gentle ways.” and Stiles Toad is played “with a physical abandon that is a hilarious contrast to Frog’s simplicity.” They single out for mention Snail, whom Frog commissions to deliver a letter to Toad. They noted “Kids in the audience loved it as Landman moved in tiny steps across the stage, hurrying to deliver the letter he was carrying (he takes pretty much the entire play to get from one house to the other).”
The Los Angeles Times noted it more as a kids show. They felt that it was “missing the resonances that would recommend the show to adults sans kids in tow.” They also saw weak chemistry between the leads (I disagree, but perhaps they grew into it as the show has progressed).
The Daily Breeze also disagreed with the Times, noting “ultimately, is designed to appeal to a young audience… but parents will find plenty to enjoy, and they will appreciate what these thoughtful stories teach their children.” As for the actors, they noted “Cearlock and Stiles have genuine chemistry as good friends, and their harmonies are pleasing. Brackenbury and Clinton are solid singers. Landman, particularly in his performance as Snail, has wonderful comic timing.”
Lastly, kudos to both the costume designer and the band, who were both marvelous.
Next up: Tea at Five at the Pasadena Playhouse, starring Kate Mulgrew.
[Crossposted to cahwyguy and socal_theatre]
Note: This entry was originally posted on Observations Along The Road (on cahighways.org) as this entry by California Highway Guy. You may comment either here or there (where there are 
