Frog & Toad share the seasons
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, March 17, 2005
The adventures of Frog and Toad – best friends even though they are nothing alike – is told in a children’s musical opening tonight at Seattle Children’s Theatre.
“A Year With Frog and Toad,” a Tony-nominated musical that chronicles the escapades of two amphibian friends, is a co-production in Seattle with Arizona-based Childsplay. The show had a successful Broadway run where it earned three Tony Award nominations for best musical, original score and book in 2003.
It’s based on a series of popular “Frog and Toad” books written by Arnold Lobel. The books won numerous honors including both the Newbery and Caldecott awards.
The musical follows the seasonal adventures of the two amphibian friends as they plant a garden in the spring, make cookies and swim in the summer, fly kites in the fall and go sledding in the winter.
The score is by Robert Reale and book and lyrics by Willie Reale.
“A Year With Frog and Toad” is recommended for children ages 4 and older and plays through June 5 at the Charlotte Martin Theatre at Seattle Center.
Dinner and a show: Teatro ZinZanni’s “Dinner &Dreams” has taken the idea of dinner and a show and turned it into long-running hit in downtown Seattle.
The cabaret-style show, a blend of music, comedy and circus-style performance, is accompanied by a five-course dinner and presented in an antique tent in the Belltown neighborhood.
Guests are seated restaurant-style to watch the show unfold beside, around and even above their tables with music by a live band.
“Dinner &Dreams” is celebrating its third year of continuous operation by opening a new musical version on Thursday.
The new production is the work of Norman Langill, Teatro ZinZanni artistic director, and musical director Norman Durkee.
The cast features Los Angeles actor Frank Ferrante in the role of Chef Caesar, the fast-talking, wise-cracking king of the kitchen. Joining Ferrante is Martha Davis, of the ’80s band The Motels, in the role of Madame ZinZanni.
The cast also includes Australian native and original Teatro ZinZanni cast member Tim Tyler as the eccentric maitre d’ hotel character Mr. P.P., Russian aerialists Duo Artemiev, Vietnamese juggler Tuan Le, French tumblers Les Petits Freres, Ukrainian contortionist Vita Radionova, and Portland soprano Nancy Emmerich as the Diva.
The dinner menu, designed by Tom Douglas, includes appetizers, soup, salad, choice of entree and dessert.
Jannine Doto photo
Toad (Jon Gentry) and Frog (D. Scott Wilson) share a picnic in Seattle Children’s Theatre’s production of “A Year With Frog and Toad.”
Where to see it
“A Year With Frog and Toad”: A Seattle Children’s Theatre production tonight through June 5 at Charlotte Martin Theatre, 201 Thomas St., Seattle Center. Performances at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. $14 to $28, 206-441-3322, www.sct.org.
Teatro ZinZanni “Dinner and Dreams”: Thursdays through Sundays at 2301 Sixth Ave., Seattle. $89 to $109; 206-802-0015, www.ZinZanni.org.
Where to see it
“A Year With Frog and Toad”: A Seattle Children’s Theatre production tonight through June 5 at Charlotte Martin Theatre, 201 Thomas St., Seattle Center. Performances at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. $14 to $28, 206-441-3322, www.sct.org.
Teatro ZinZanni “Dinner and Dreams”: Thursdays through Sundays at 2301 Sixth Ave., Seattle. $89 to $109; 206-802-0015, www.ZinZanni.org.
