“A Year with Frog & Toad" at St. Ambrose University -- April 24 through May 3.
Friday, April 24, through Sunday, May 3
St. Ambrose University Studio Theatre, 2101 North Gaines Street, Davenport IA
Hailed by the New York Times as a family musical "that knows exactly what it's doing" and "works perfectly," the Tony-nominated A Year with Frog & Toad enjoys an April 24 through May 3 run in the Studio Theatre at Davenport's St. Ambrose University, this stage charmer by Reale brothers Robert (music) and Willie (book and lyrics) based on the beloved Frog and Toad children's stories written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel.
A hit on Broadway whose three Tony Award nominations included nods for Best Musical, Book, and Score, A Year with Frog & Toad is a whimsical comedy adventure that follows two great friends – the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad – through four fun-filled seasons. Waking from hibernation in the Spring, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding and learn life lessons along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in the differences that make them unique and special. Part vaudeville, part make believe, and all charm, A Year with Frog & Toad tells an unforgettable tale of enduring friendship, the jazzy, upbeat score bubbling with melody and wit, making it an inventive, exuberant, and enchanting musical treat for the whole family.
Directing and choreographing A Year with Frog & Toad is the St. Ambrose theatre-department chair and professor Daniel Hale, whose previous stage presentations for the university have included Eurydice, The Pirates of Penzance, She Kills Monsters, and The Little Prince. Popular Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse performer Bobby Becher serves as the show's music director, having previously music-directed [title of show] at St. Ambrose, and additional members of Hale's creative team include: technical director and scenic/lighting designer Aaron Hook; assistant choreographer Zach Ulmer; charge artist Becky Meissen; costume designer Bradley Robert Jensen; props designer and photographer Miranda Richards; stage manager Grace Hagerman; and assistant stage manager Mia Diaz.
The titular Frog and Toad, meanwhile, are respectively portrayed by St. Ambrose students Marriane Hammer and Paloma Lopez, with A Year with Frog & Toad's ensemble completed by: Claire Banks; Ebby Barber; Allie Crisco; Faith Foley; Allison Harker; Kate James; Rylan Moore; Zach Ulmer; Bella Vitale; and Esther Windt.
A Year with Frog & Toad will be staged in the Studio Theatre of St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center April 24 through May 3, with performances Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. Admission is $15, and more information and tickets are available by calling 563-333-6251 and Cur8.com/19339/project/133532.
