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Regional Reviews: Phoenix A Year with Frog and Toad Also see Gil's reviews of 4 Girls 4, Little Women, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Brothers Robert and Willie Reale adapted Nobel's books into an upbeat, two-act children's musical, but one that adults will enjoy as well. Using several of the stories from the books, along with a few of their own, they crafted an engaging, fleshed out story. Through a series of short vignettes, some funny, others touching, we learn about the two amphibians' habits and how various situations and adventures they have throughout the year both test and strengthen their friendship. The musical features several toe-tapping numbers with Robert's varied score matched by Willie's inventive and funny lyrics. The simplicity of the stories and the fact that there are several recurring plot points that help tie the vignettes together help to make the end result much more than just a few short adventures. The musical briefly ran on Broadway back in 2003 and was nominated for three Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Score. Originally a small show with just five actors, Youth Works has expanded the cast to over twenty, and it works exceedingly well to show the large number of creatures that inhabit the world that Frog and Toad live in. As Frog and Toad, Tyler Lewis and Skyler Washburn are splendid. Both are charming and energetic performers with clear and strong singing voices. The characters are written as a typical comic duo, with Frog being the straight man and Toad the comical sidekick, and the actors play off each other exceedingly well. Washburn brings a sense of frenzy to the always worrisome and insecure Toad and has a great deadpan delivery of his humorous lines. While Washburn's scene-stealing antics give him a bit more to do, Lewis has just as much fun as Frog, instilling the character with a deep sense of kindness. While the rest of the cast is quite good, Karson Cook is very funny and an audience favorite as the very slow-moving snail and Kendra Goodenberger is charming as the young Frog. Director Chris Hamby knows how to get clear, distinct performances from each of his actors, even those with the smallest parts. The result of using the larger of the two Theater Works stages for this production allows the large cast to not feel cramped, and Hamby stages his scenes effectively across the expansive stage. Choreographer Paul Pedersen provides some fun ballets and scene change dances as well as an upbeat and touching tap dance for the two leads. Ken Goodenberger's musical direction achieves some stunning choral harmonies across the large cast. Creative elements are vibrant and colorful. The versatile set from Dori Brown includes large oversized cattails on the sides of the stage to give us an idea as to the size of the animals in the world that Frog and Toad inhabit. The multi-level set also includes functional houses for our two friends that, with just a few prop changes, portray various rooms in each. With mismatched patterns and fabrics, Cari Smith's costumes help evoke the various animals without resorting to overly elaborate animal suits. Daniel Davisson's lighting skillfully portrays the various seasons and includes a humorous effect for the winter sledding scene. The benefits of having a good friend are at the heart of both Lobel's original books and this musical adaptation. Youth Works' production of A Year with Frog and Toad is charming fun, perfect for children and adults of all ages. A Year with Frog and Toad runs through May 24th, 2015, at Theater Works at 8355 West Peoria Avenue in Peoria. Tickets can be ordered at theaterworks.org or by calling 623-815-7930. Music by Robert Reale Cast:
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