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written by Robert Reale and Willie Reale,

directed by Allen MacInnis

Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, Toronto

November 18-December 30, 2010

A Year with Frog and Toad is charming musical for young people in a witty production by the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People.  Kids may enjoy the songs by the Reale brothers, but adults are more likely to appreciate just how clever the music and lyrics are.  

Based on the “Frog and Toad” series of children’s books by Arnold Lobel, the musical follows the friendship of the two titular amphibians from their emergence from hibernation through the four seasons.  The show is gentle both in humour and plot.  Toad (Louise Pitre) tries to grow a garden in spring, she and Frog (Allan MacInnis) go swimming in summer, they secretly try to rake each other’s leaves in fall and both go sledding down a hill in winter.  Mild conflicts are easily resolved.  What keeps the show from seeming undramatic and bland is the dynamic between the two friends.  Frog is optimistic and carefree and sees every experience as a potential for fun.  Toad, in contrast, is a worrywart with a negative self-image and is disinclined to try anything new.  The show is an example of how people so different can still be best friends.  

It is wonderful to see Pitre obviously enjoying the chance to let the child, and comedian, in her to come to the fore.  MacInnis plays a role originally intended for much-loved actor Denis Simpson, who died suddenly just before rehearsals were to start.  While Simpson would have brought his innate joy to the part, MacInnis shows what a fine singer and actor, not to mention director, he really is.  The friends’ forest world is populated by a chorus of three Birds whose players also have individual roles as Turtle (Cara Hunter), Mole (Jennifer Villaverde) and Snail (Kevin Dennis).  Dennis is very funny as Snail, the forest’s mailman, singing his recurring country-western song comparing himself to a cheetah as he “speeds” along his duties.  Robin Fisher has done a wonderful job in creating an inviting leafy world on stage, but her costumes are especially imaginative.  She decks the animals in human clothes of the 1890-1920 period which suits the era of popular music that infuses the score.  Fisher  uses just a few accents to identify a creature--goggles for Mole, hat feathers for the Birds and a backpack with spiralled bed-roll for Snail.  As the clamour of the holidays approach, the 70 minutes of peace and happiness this show offers may be just what you need.

©Christopher Hoile

Note: A version of this review appeared in Eye Weekly 2010-11-19.

Photo:  Cara Hunter, Louise Pitre, Kevin Dennis, Allen MacInnis and Jennifer Villaverde.

©Daniel Alexander.