THEATRE REVIEW: A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD
19 Nov'10

JOHN COULBOURN - QMI Agency
Rating: 5 out of 5

No matter how you slice it, selling your children is just plain wrong.

That said, one suspects there might just be a case to be made for offering to rent the little darlings out for an afternoon or two, but only if it is being done to aid child-deprived adults yearning to catch A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD -- you know, the type of self-conscious grown-up folk who might otherwise be embarrassed to show up at the box office at the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People to buy a ticket without a child in tow.

Yes, as it does every so often, the kiddy palace on Front Street is proving that the very best kind of theatre for young people is, in reality, the very best theatre for everyone. Based on the books of the same name by Arnold Lobel and adapted to the musical stage by composer Robert Reale Book and lyricist Willie Reale, A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD opened at LKYPT on Thursday -- a tiny perfect little homage to old-time musical reviews, vaudeville and a lot of other good things of which we simply can't get enough.

It's a gentle little story, which, as its title implies, spans a full year in the forest -- a year in which the long-time friendship between a no-nonsense Frog (played by Allen MacInnis) and a fuss-budget Toad (played by Louise Pitre) might be gently tested, but will almost certainly endure. Other than that, not a lot happens in the course of the hour-long show. The birds come and the birds go. A letter is mailed and delivered. Swims are taken. Sledding occurs. Leaves fall. But even though nothing earth-shaking happens, you can still count on a delightful time, for any number of reasons.

First off, of course, is the adaptation, which never stoops to talking down to its audience, even while it keeps things simple. As for the songs themselves, they are, all of them, a major step up from the kind of elementary rhyme and cast-iron tune that mark the genre.

Then there's MacInnis' staging, which, thanks to strong assists from designers Robin Fisher (sets and costumes), Lesley Wilkinson (lighting) and Michael Laird (sound), comes close to being letter perfect, enriched at every turn by simple choreography from associate director Jen Shuber and the musical direction of Diane Leah. Thanks to them, this particular jewel has a lovely setting that shows off its simple sparkle at every turn.

But the thing that finally makes this production soar is the casting, perfectly achieved right down to the smallest role. On that front, as Turtle, Mole, and Snail respectively, as well as the flock of birds whose arrival signals both the start and the end of the year in question, Cara Hunter, Jennifer Villaverde and Kevin Dennis are all letter perfect in supporting roles, each afforded his or her moment in the spotlight, of which they make the most.

As for MacInnis and Pitre -- well, one suspects that even their most devoted fans will be amazed at how much fun there is to be had watching these two cavort as the title characters. As Toad, Pitre mixes Channing and Chaplin in a combination as potent as the marriage of gin and vermouth -- which MacInnis then balances with just the right twist of all but invisible long-suffering patience. Served up dusty-dry and droll, the result is a cocktail for all ages that is as joyful to behold as it is difficult to describe. Together, they take this simple little story, and by dint of sheer talent, transform it into a vintage year indeed.

It may only last an hour, but rest assured this is one year you -- and your child, if you have one, or even if you rent one -- will likely remember forever.