Clinton Township – Arnold Lobel's beloved characters hop from the page to the stage in this delightful musical that follows two great friends, the cheerful and popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad, through four fun-filled seasons. Waking from hibernation in the spring, they proceed to plant gardens, swim, rake leaves and go sledding, learning life lessons along the way, including a most important one about friendship and rejoicing in the attributes that make each of us different and special. Don’t miss this three-time Tony® Award nominee Sunday, March 7 at 4 p.m. at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets call 586.286.2222.
The musical was developed by renowned scenic designer, Adrianne Lobel – the author’s daughter – with music by Robert Reale and book and lyrics by Willie Reale. It originated in 2002 at the Children’s Theater Company of Minneapolis, where the Star Tribune called it “a spiffy, snazzy, clever little musical” and “a welcome success in the world of Musical Theater.” A successful New York run at the New Victory Theater followed, where the New York Times urged “anyone who cherishes musical theater and can beg or borrow a child from 4 up might be well advised to make a beeline for Times Square in search of tickets for A Year With Frog and Toad.” The path continued to Broadway’s Cort Theater, where the show opened in April, 2003 and earned three Tony Award nominations for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score.
The jazzy score has a country-western thread and clever lyrics that keep fingers snapping and feet tapping. Frog and Toad soft-shoe their way across the stage with their friends Snail, Mouse and Turtle, sharing simple pleasures, like eating cookies galore in a show-stopping number that will tweak the sweet tooth of everyone in the theater. The lovable Snail, who spends the entire show trying to deliver a letter at his own very, very slow pace, brings the house down with his solo “I’m Coming Out of My Shell.”
Children are likely to have encountered the Frog and Toad books in school or the library, where they are a favorite of parents and teachers who embrace the simple and lovely stories and beautiful illustrations.
It is no small feat to find high quality family entertainment that appeals to the younger set as well as their parents and grandparents. A Year With Frog and Toad is that rare show that does it all. Of the premiere performance, Variety wrote “When contrasted with the bright, clamorous and empty standards of children’s entertainment, this production’s endearing charm seems no small achievement.”
Ticket prices range from $10 to $52 with discounts available for students, senior citizens, military personnel (both active and retired with a valid military I.D.), and groups of 20 or more. Purchase tickets in person at the Macomb Center box office Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Friday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. The Macomb Center for the Performing Arts is located on Macomb College's Center Campus at 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, Michigan 48038. Tickets and additional information, including a complete season schedule, are available online at www.MacombCenter.com or by calling 586.286.2222.
A Year With Frog and Toad is sponsored in part by Christian Financial Union and the Macomb Center’s premiere sponsors for the 2009-2010 season AT&T, The Macomb Daily and National City.
About the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
The Macomb Center for the Performing Arts is a community enrichment program of Macomb College dedicated to providing a diverse range of family-oriented cultural enrichment experiences. The Macomb Center presents high-quality professional performances, offers educational outreach in the arts and, in partnership with the adjacent Albert L. Lorenzo Cultural Center, creates unique opportunities for multifaceted cultural programming.
Details-at-a-glance:
A Year With Frog and Toad
Sunday, March 7, 4 p.m.
Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
44757 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township 48038
586.286.2222 | www.MacombCenter.com
Tickets: $10 to $52
Discounts available for students, seniors, military personnel, and groups of 20 or more
Media contact:
Sandy Hazelton-Pianko
586.226.4737
hazeltons@macomb.edu