Chilliwack School of Performing Arts is ready to present the smash-hit musical A Year With Frog and Toad.
Opening Jan. 12 at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, the show is based on the children’s books, follows two woodland friends on their sweet, song-filled adventures.
Frog and Toad, played by CSOPA veterans Jacklyn Kirsch and Brittany Clough, is a rollicking ride for kids of all ages.
The pair of amphibian friends awaken from hibernation and get busy with everything from planting a garden to flying kites, swimming, sledding, or just enjoying a warm bowl of soup.
It’s a Tony-nominated musical based on the series of books by Arnold Lobel, with book and lyrics by Willie Reale and music by Robert Reale
The original books won both the Caldecott and Newbery Awards. The musical version was commissioned by his daughter, Adrianne Lobel, and broke new ground by bringing professional children’s theatre to Broadway.
The Birds will be played by Caylen Braun, newcomers Kessia Warren and Raven Regino, as well as Carmen Sigurdson and Olivia Simpson, who played Jojo in last year’s production of Seussical. Hannah deNevers is Turtle, while Meghan Mindel will take on Mouse and Maxwell Glover the Lizard. Father Frog and Mother Frog played respectively by Jonathan Woyke and Katy Fairley.
Hyacinthe Lithgow is the Young Frog while Brandon Grove will play the Large and Terrible Frog.
Rounding out the rest of the cast, the Moles and the Squirrels are played by Sebastian Warkentin-Scott, Dominique Ward, Avianna Clempson, Tyler Kettle, Sarah Isaak, Kathryn Harder, Jessica Westeringh and Jordan Orto. Lastly, bringing up the rear, is Snail, to be played by Will Hutchinson, who was seen last year as Horton the Elephant in Seussical.
Andrew Smith is the director, Christopher King is the musical director and Shelley Wojcik the choreographer. Set by Kate Whyte, costumes by Heather Westergard and lights by Jamea Lister.
Fans can go to the CSOPA website (www.csopa.ca) and click on the Facebook icon and tag themselves in the poster for a chance to win tickets.
A Year With Frog and Toad opens on Friday, Jan. 13, and runs until Sunday, Jan. 22, 7:30 p.m. performances on Jan. 11,12,13,14,19,20,21. 2:00 p.m. matinée performances on Jan. 14,15,21,22. Adults $20, students and seniors $15. $9.75 all seats on Jan. 12 (evening),14 (matinée) and 19 (evening). By-donation preview Jan. 11 (available only at door). Tickets 604-391-SHOW (7469).
