Seasonal adventures
3 minute readPublished: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 9:37 pm
A Year With Frog and Toad: A Delightful Holiday Outing for Families
Chicago's Young Peoples Theatre of Chicago (YPTC) is presenting a revival of the family musical *A Year With Frog and Toad*, offering a heartwarming holiday season experience for children and adults. The production, directed by Randy White, is based on Arnold Lobel's beloved children's book series.
The musical, featuring music by Robert Reale and book and lyrics by Willie Reale, originally premiered at the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis and later made its way to Broadway, earning three Tony nominations. The show's charm lies in its ability to convey themes of friendship and change in an accessible way for young audiences.
The story follows the contrasting personalities of Frog and Toad. Frog, portrayed by Ryan Stajmiger, is the optimistic and adventurous character, while Toad, played by Teddy Gales, embodies a more cautious and sometimes melancholic demeanor. The musical explores their friendship, highlighting how their differences complement each other.
The production incorporates recorded music, with Sam Shankman as the music director. The show's visual appeal is enhanced by Ellen MacKay's clever costumes and Lauren Helpern's simple yet effective set design. The musical runs for approximately 75 minutes.
The musical celebrates the joys of friendship, embracing change, and simple pleasures like eating cookies and receiving letters. The show is recommended for children aged 4 and up.
BNN's Perspective: *A Year With Frog and Toad* appears to be a well-crafted and engaging production that offers a positive message for children and families. The show's focus on friendship and embracing differences aligns with values of inclusivity and understanding, making it a potentially valuable experience for young audiences. The production's use of recorded music may be a consideration for some, but the overall positive reviews suggest it does not detract from the show's appeal.
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