Arden Theatre Company presents the revival of the smash-hit musical, A Year with Frog and Toad, based on the Newbery and Caldecott Honored children's books by Arnold Lobel. Directed by Whit MacLaughlin (James and the Giant Peach, The BFG) A Year with Frog and Toad begins previews on Wednesday, March 4, 2009; opens Saturday, March 7, 2009; and runs through Sunday, April 19, 2009.
In 2004, an unlikely friendship between a cheerful Frog and a grumpy Toad blossomed at the Arden. Nominated for six Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre and a Tony Award for Best Musical, A Year with Frog and Toad was lauded by both audiences and critics alike. City Paper described the Arden's production as "brimming with so much talent and merrymaking I doubt anyone could resist its charms."
The Arden's production features the return of Barrymore Award-winners Jeffrey Coon (Candide, Assassins) and Ben Dibble (Candide, Assassins) in the title roles. Rounding out the cast are recent faces at the Arden, Erin Driscoll (Candide), Nick Gaswirth (Candide) and Danielle G. Herbert (Caroline, or Change, The BFG).
"We are thrilled to be reviving A Year with Frog and Toad," said Terrence J. Nolen Artistic Director of Arden Theatre Company. "This was a landmark production for us that was embraced by audiences of all ages and led to a valued relationship with Willie Reale and Rob Reale, two of the leading writers working for kids today. I'm especially excited to welcome back Jeff Coon and Ben Dibble. Jeff and Ben love this musical and jumped at the chance to do it again. They were especially excited because they are both dads, which neither was when we did this show five years ago. Jeff now has two children and Ben has three – not only will their kids be able to see them as Frog and Toad, but they almost have enough kids between them to get a group discount."
A Year with Frog and Toad is directed by Whit MacLaughlin who has directed nine Arden Children's Theatre productions including the original staging of this musical at the Arden. "I feel like I'm walking into a familiar world filled with the same excitement that we generated during the first Frog and Toad," said Whit. "This show is great family entertainment; truly it is an almost perfect show."
Richard St. Clair, who won Barrymore Awards for his costumes for A Year with Frog and Toad (2004/05) and Sleeping Beauty (2007/08) has also returned to design costumes for the revival. -- www.ardentheatre.org
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