Nashville Children’s Theatre (NCT) has gone through a lot of changes over the years — as have all of our local theater organizations — but happily, things seem to be settling down with the arrival of new Executive Artistic Director Jennilee Houghton, who has worked in theater for young audiences for some 25 years. She’s the directorial force helping to shape the renowned theater going forward and her first directorial mainstage outing is A Year with Frog and Toad, based on the books by Arnold Lobel.
From the moment you enter NCT’s lobby, there are activities for kids to enjoy before the show. Going in to sit, you can grab a booster seat for your young child, if needed. (NOTE: NCT is also currently offering Mother Goose through the “The Snuggery,” their sensory-friendly immersive experience for ages 0 – 5 in the Copeland Studio through October 25).
Garris Wimmer (Toad) sleds down the hill in front of Sh’Ahr Blackburn (Frog) in NCT’s new production of “A Year with Frog and Toad.”
Happy Frog, Grouchy Toad
We went to the opening performance of A Year with Frog and Toad and can report that friendship — filled with a lot of fun and sometimes forgiveness — is front and center in this sweet musical. Outstanding music direction comes from Sarah Michele Bailey and joyful choreography is by Joi Ware.
Designed for kids in grades K – 8 (though it may be best suited to the younger side), the production features an exemplary woodsy habitat (by Lighting and Scenic Designer Scott Leathers), for Frog, Toad, Birds, Snail, Turtle, Mole and Squirrels. Sound design by Marsalis Turner and costumes by Costume Designer Billy Ditty are outstanding.
Chase Michael Miller, Aleia Eagleton and Katie Bruno delightfully play birds, squirrels and other creatures in “A Year with Frog and Toad” now playing at Nashville Children’s Theatre.
From the get-go, we meet a trio of dressy birds — Chase Michael Miller, Aleia Eagleton and Katie Bruno — who take on several different animal roles and are all delightfully energetic (or, in the case of Snail, amusingly not-so-quick).
But it’s exuberant Sh’Ahr Blackburn as Frog and grouchy Garris Wimmer as Toad who take us through the seasons of their quirky friendship. From winter hibernation to summer swimming to Christmas and back again, the two get into lots of adventures. Frog is the easy-going one (you know the type), while Toad makes a BIG deal out of everything, worrying about this and that (you know this type, too). Both actors are terrific and in good voice.
The theater was filled with giggles during this gentle production that never gets out of hand. The little one next to me was rapt. It’s a terrific start to the new season and we’re looking forward to what’s coming next from NCT.
A Year with Frog and Toad is at NCT through Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Learn more and get tickets ($38.50 for adults; $28.50 for kids) at nashvillechildrenstheater.org.
Discover More Great Things to Do!
More Photos from “A Year with Frog and Toad”:
Playful and fun Katie Bruno, as a turtle, hoists a fish haul at NCT.
Chase Michael Miller is entertaining as the Snail hurrying to deliver the mail at
NCT.
Although grouchy, Garris Wimmer (as Toad) has a lot of fun with his role at NCT.
