A Year with Frog and Toad KIDS
The treasured characters from the children’s books and the beautiful Broadway musical hop from page to stage in this story of friendship and adventure.
Show Essentials
10
Roles
+ Ensemble
G
Rated
1
Act

Full Synopsis

The Birds have come back at the end of winter, ready for spring. They look in on Frog and Toad, still in hibernation in their respective beds and in their respective homes ("A Year with Frog and Toad"). While still asleep, Frog and Toad sing about their friendship and the new year ahead ("It's Spring"). Frog then wakes and decides to get his friend out of hibernation for the new year.

Once he's convinced that it's spring, Toad decides that he wants to plant a garden. Frog gives him some seeds. Toad plants them but is very impatient that they grow quickly. He sits up all night with his seeds, feeling bad because he's yelled at them and worrying that the seeds are afraid to grow ("Seeds"). He sings for them. He dances for them. He plays the tuba. By morning, they have begun to grow.

Now that it's morning, Toad knows mail should be delivered. He is sad, however, because he never receives mail. Frog goes home to write Toad a letter. He asks Snail to deliver it for him ("The Letter").

Frog and Toad go to the pond for a swim. Toad is uncomfortable that Frog will see him in his bathing suit. ("Getta Load of Toad"). Frog promises not to look until Toad is in the water. Toad asks Frog to instruct Turtle to leave so she won't see him come out of the water. Instead, Turtle calls mouse and lizard over to look at Toad. Freezing, Toad must eventually leave the water ("Underwater Ballet") and everyone gets a good look at Toad in his bathing suit.

Later, Toad brings lunch to Frog, but he is not home. He's left a note that he wants to be left alone on the island. Toad worries that Frog is sad. He rides a log out to the island and accidentally falls in the water, getting all of their sandwiches wet. It turns out that Toad is not sad; he is happy — he just wanted time alone to think about how happy he really is ("Alone"). Together, they eat wet sandwiches.

Meanwhile, Snail is still on his way to deliver Frog's letter to Toad ("The Letter – Reprise").

Frog and Toad are at Toad's home, preparing dinner. They make cookies intended for dessert but can't stop eating them ("Cookies").

Frog has a kite, which Toad tries to help him fly. ("The Kite"). The birds laugh at their failed attempts, but the kite finally flies.

It's now the end of summer ("A Year with Frog and Toad"), and leaves cover the ground. Both Frog and Toad plan a surprise by secretly raking the other's yard ("He'll Never Know"). They clean one another's yard but, as soon as they leave, the squirrels come and mess up their neat piles of leaves. Neither ever finds out the good deed each has done for the other.

Frog and Toad visit at home on a dark and stormy night. Frog thinks it's a good night for a scary story ("Shivers"). He tells the tale of a young frog — presumably himself — who escapes the clutches of a Large Terrible Frog before he is eaten.

Meanwhile, Snail is still on the way to deliver Frog's letter to Toad.

It's now winter. Frog and Toad are on top of a hill and prepared to sled down it, despite Toad's fear ("Down the Hill"). On the way down, Frog accidentally falls off the sled. Toad continues down the hill. He takes the wrong path — the dangerous and bumpy path. When Toad reaches the bottom of the hill, he is so mad at Frog for making him go sledding that he swears never to talk to Frog again. Snail arrives with Frog's letter to Toad. In the letter, Frog tells Toad how he can't be happy unless his friend, Toad, is happy. Toad decides to talk to Frog again. Snail, having delivered his first letter, is very proud ("I'm Coming out of My Shell").

It's now Christmas Eve. Toad is in his kitchen. He's terribly worried because Frog is late. He imagines all the terrible things that could have happened to Frog ("Toad to the Rescue"). Frog arrives. He's been wrapping Toad's present. Toad tells him how worried he's been ("Merry Almost Christmas").

Now back in hibernation, Frog and Toad are in their respective beds. It's almost spring again! The Birds sing ("Finale"), as Frog and Toad get ready for another fun-filled year.

Casting
← Back to A Year with Frog and Toad KIDS
Cast Size: Flexible Cast Size
Cast Type: Children
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Frog

Frog is a friendly, confidant, positive and caring character. This leading role requires a strong actor and singer. He should always seem comfortable solving Toad's problems and reacting to Toad's traumas. When auditioning, mix and match your Frog and Toad hopefuls into different pairs and determine the best chemistry.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Toad

Toad is serious, irritable, self-conscious yet an oddly charismatic character. The friendship that he shares with Frog must appear loyal through and through. This role requires a good actor and singer and should be one of your stronger students. Auditioning several pairs of Frogs and Toads will enable you to cast actors that can have fun with this "tight yet quirky" friendship.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Turtle

Turtle is a "rabble-rouser" and loves to get the whole gang to tease Toad in fun! This actor should be a strong singer and be able to be a comedian at the same time. He (or she) only has a solo in one number. Audition this student along with Mouse and Lizard to achieve a good trio for "Getta Loada Toad". There are solo singing lines for this role.

Gender: any
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Mouse

Mouse is always able to ask all the right questions like a talk-show host. Mouse, like Turtle, is full of fun and they should have a good chemistry because of their call/response dialogue and song. This could be a good place to use a smaller child that can perform with mouse like qualities.

Gender: any
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Lizard

Lizard is definitely the most confused of the Turtle, Mouse, Lizard trio, but eventually joins in the fun. He (or she) should be able to confidently sing the short solo and be a strong addition to the ensemble as an actor and singer.

Gender: any
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Snails
The Snails are simply unflappable. They will deliver without fail "in the rain or sleet or snow." Cast actors that can deliver their songs with personality, confidence and musical accuracy. They have few spoken lines but their singing entrances are the comedic relief of the show.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Birds

The Birds communicate the passage of time (seasons) and set the stage for the story to follow. This is a great opportunity to cast children that have a good sense of musical timing and can sell their songs like cabaret singers! Have visual fun with your "bird family" and cast all size actors. Enjoy the "diva moments!"

Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Moles

The Moles should have expressive faces to convey the excitement in Down The Hill as well as sincerity in their angelic solo Merry Almost Christmas. The Moles should be singers more than actors as their lines are few. A good choral blend sets them apart!

Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Squirrels

The Squirrels are full of mischief and the actors should be comfortable moving, talking and singing with squirrel like qualities. Cast actors that have good diction, as their soft shoe rendition of "He'll Never Know" is wordy and quick. Play up the wonderful contrast between the Squirrels and Frog and Toad in this ballad!

Gender: any
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Full Song List
A Year With Frog And Toad KIDS: A Year with Frog and Toad
A Year With Frog And Toad KIDS: The Letter #1
A Year With Frog And Toad KIDS: Getta Loada Toad
A Year With Frog And Toad KIDS: The Letter #2
A Year With Frog And Toad KIDS: Cookies
A Year With Frog And Toad KIDS: Leaves: A Year with Frog and Toad
A Year With Frog And Toad KIDS: He'll Never Know
A Year With Frog And Toad KIDS: The Letter #3
A Year With Frog And Toad KIDS: Down the Hill
A Year With Frog And Toad KIDS: Merry Almost Christmas
A Year With Frog And Toad KIDS: Merry Almost Christmas (Reprise)
A Year With Frog And Toad KIDS: Finale: A Year with Frog and Toad

Connect

Playbill Vault


*****Written permission is required to reprint or reproduce Arnold Lobel's artwork from Frog and Toad and other HarperCollins Publishers books. If you wish to obtain permission, please fax or mail the following information to the Permissions Department at HarperCollins Publishers:

  • Photocopies of the art you would like to use
  • Performance dates
  • How/where the image will be used, including layouts
  • The number of programs, posters, postcards, etc. that will be printed and distributed
  • Your theatre's location and contact information, including fax, phone number, e-mail, and mailing address

PLEASE FAX INFORMATION TO: Permissions Department HarperCollins Children's Books 1350 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10019 Fax: (212) 261-6603

Curriculum Connection

  • Writing Letters
  • Seasons
  • Weather Systems
  • Habitats
  • Communication
  • Friendship

Billing

Based on the books by Arnold Lobel.

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Production Contract, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on houseboards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD KIDS
(100%)
 
Music by
ROBERT REALE
(50%)
Book and Lyrics by
WILLIE REALE
(50%)
 
Based on the books by ARNOLD LOBEL
(50%)
 
Originally presented on Broadway by
Bob Boyett, Adrianne Lobel, Michael Gardner,
Lawrence Horowitz and Roy Furman
(25%)
 
World Premiere at The Children's Theatre Company
Minneapolis, Minnesota
(15%)

Video Warning

In accordance with the Performance License, you MUST include the following warning in all programs and in a pre-show announcement:

ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included

Production Resources

Resource
FAMILY MATTERS
FAMILY MATTERS (PACK OF 10)
LOGO PACK
LOGO PACK DIGITAL
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT MEDIUM
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT SMALL
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT X-LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT XX-LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK CHILD LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK CHILD MEDIUM
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK CHILD SMALL
STUDENT BOOK TENPACK
STUDENT REHEARSAL CD