Connor Kelly shines as the irrepressibly cheerful Frog, delightfully devoted to his curmudgeonly cute friend (and real life brother) Toad (Quinn Kelly) Their chemistry, energy and comic timing are the heart of the show. Based on Arnold Lobel’s beloved books, Willie and Robert Reale created the book/lyrics and music, respectively. Yes, they are brothers, too!
The brotherhood of a wide variety of fun animals surrounding the special friendship of Frog and Toad expanded the family feeling. The costumes were a fabulous “animal-inspired-but-not-realistic” array with necktie-winged birds, bike-helmet lizard, bushy tailed squirrels, snowflakes and Toad’s notoriously “funny-looking-bathing suit." Costumagician Kris Maier was assisted by a crew of seven.
I particularly enjoyed the “backpack-roll” snail shell of the stylishly s-l-o-w snail-mail carrier, the charming Kat Koehn. The comic thread of her less-than-speedy-delivery tied the show together. Lorena Krause brought her angelic voice to Young Frog. (Where had we seen her before? Fun Home. Very talented.) Charles Hoogstraten brought to life yet another fantastic Adam Carlson Puppet Creation: The Large and Terrible Frog - just scary enough, and also cute, peeking around the edges of the set — a practical, storybook design by Tom Ferris, built by Tom, Leroy Cupp and Bob Nees, with nine set-building assistants and painters.
Tom Ferris, and co-director Linda Widener can be proud of this intentional motley cast, music directed by Kait Wilson and choreographed by Fran Ludington. Bring your family to enjoy this fun family of forest creatures.
Riverwalk is partnering with Preuss Pets to support the Panamanian Golden Frog Project. Sean Murphy will attend the Wednesday, December 14 RIF performance, and the Sunday, December 11 and 18 performances to present the education ambassador animals from Preuss Pets. The audience will have the opportunity to interact with their 80-year-old South American Red-Footed Tortoise. Sean will also present some information about Project Golden Frog and why the project exists to preserve the culturally significant golden frog of Panama as a flagship species for amphibian decline issues worldwide.
Frog and Toad performances are continue through December 18. Tickets at http://www.riverwalktheatre.com/box-office or by calling (517) 482-5700.
Tickets for the Wednesday, December 14, 7 pm performance may be purchased from RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) by calling (517) 755-4966. At this performance, each audience member under 18 will be able to choose a book to take home.