Overview
Synopsis
Based on Arnold Lobel’s beloved children’s books, A Year with Frog and Toad is a whimsical musical that tells the story of two best friends: the cheerful Frog, and curmudgeonly Toad. The musical follows Frog and Toad through four colorful seasons, from hibernation to hibernation. Frog and Toad, along with their playful, quirky friends Snail, Turtle, the Birds, and more, enact many adventures, from rushing down a hill in a runaway sled in the winter, to taking a picnic and a quiet moment in the summer. Children and adults alike with relish in the joyful vignettes of A Year With Frog and Toad, which feature catchy tunes, funny dialogue, and bright, memorable characters.
Note on Casting: The original cast featured five actors and employed doubling. However, it is possible to expand the cast, and even include ensemble members.
Show Information
- Book
- William Reale
- Music
- Robert Reale
- Lyrics
- William Reale
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- The Frog and Toad books by Arnold Lobel
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2000
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- frog and toad’s homes in the woods
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Small
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Adrianne Lobel commissioned a musical based on Frog and Toad writings done by her father, Arnold Lobel. Alongside her husband she, alongside a talented team, put together the show we know today as A Year With Frog and Toad.
A Year With Frog and Toad was first workshopped at New York Stage and Film at Vassar College in 2000. The show continued on to premiere at the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis two years later. That same year, A Year With Frog and Toad went on to play Off-Broadway
to read the context for A Year with Frog and Toad and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
The Birds return as winter is finally ending and spring is just around the corner. They introduce us to Frog and Toad, both still sound asleep for winter hibernation in their own homes. They both dream of the other, it turns out they are sharing the same dream! They talk about how much they enjoy each other’s company and how ready they are for the year to come (“A Year With Frog and Toad”). Frog is the first of the pair to wake and see spring, and promptly leaves to go and wake
to read the plot for A Year with Frog and Toad and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
|
Songs
Act One
- A Year With Frog And Toad—Birds, Frog and Toad
- Spring—Frog, Toad and Birds
- Seeds—Toad
- The Letter—Snail
- Getta Loada Toad—Toad, Frog, Turtle, Mouse and Lizard
- Underwater Ballet—Orchestra, *Turtle
- Alone—Frog
- The Letter (Reprise) -- Snail
- Cookies—Frog, Toad and Birds
Act Two
- Entr'Acte
- The Kite—Birds, Frog, Toad
- A Year With Frog And Toad (Reprise) -- Birds
- He'll Never Know—Frog and Toad
- Shivers—Young Frog, Mother Frog, Father Frog, Toad and Frog
- Snow Ballet - Orchestra, *Moles
- The Letter (Reprise) -- Snail
- Down The Hill—Frog, Toad and Moles
- I'm Coming Out of My Shell—Snail
- Toad to the Rescue—Toad and Moles
- Merry Almost Christmas—Toad, Frog and Moles
- Finale— Birds, Toad, Frog
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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