by Leah Osburn
I was first introduced to Frog and Toad via the 2003 Tony Awards.
A Year With Frog And Toad is a musical based on the "Frog and Toad" Books by Arnold Lobel. Music by Robert Reale and Book and lyrics by Willie Reale.
After seeing a short synopsis about the production and then Jay Goede and Mark Linn-Baker perform 'Alone' on the televised Tony Awards I was very curious. Learning that the production takes us on a 12-month journey of friendship was exciting. Whether writing letters, going swimming, baking cookies or telling stories, Frog and Toad are always there for each other - just as best friends should be.
After directing The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in 2013 and Avenue Q in 2016 for Beaumaris Theatre, I knew that A Year with Frog and Toad would be a perfect show for the Beaumaris Stage. With just five members in the cast, we will meet Damien Calvert as Frog, Dan Bellis as Toad, Roisin O'Neill as Player 1, Emma Blake as Player 2 and Kate Squires as Player 3. Each Player gets to portray a wide range of animals who help share these stories. It's fantastic to have Damien, Dan and Kate return to the Beaumaris community and we are so pleased to welcome Roisin and Emma into the fold.
A Year with Frog and Toad has been described as part vaudeville, part make-believe and all charm. While the cast is five adults, this production is a perfect way for the whole family to come on an adventure across the four seasons with Frog, Toad and all their friends.
I cannot wait to bring the magic of Frog & Toad to Beaumaris Theatre.