Halifax County Little Theatre (HCLT) is proud to announce its upcoming production of the whimsical musical A Year with Frog and Toad, running from February 20 through March 1. Based on the beloved children’s books by Arnold Lobel, this Tony Award-nominated show follows the enduring friendship of two lovable amphibians over the course of four fun-filled seasons.
Directed and produced by HCLT veterans Sandy Slayton and Lori Ashwell, this production brings a heartwarming tale of companionship to life through upbeat music and classic storytelling. Slayton is supported by a top-notch core production team whose creative ingenuity will bring all the magic you’ve grown to expect from HCLT productions. As Slayton described it, “No one on this team settles for less than spectacular. They’re hard to keep up with!”
While this production lacked some of the technical “bells and whistles” used in the past to aid in teaching and performance, talented musical director Lynn Good has embraced the challenge. Kaitlyn Stephen’s high-energy choreography provides an infectious positivity that truly makes rehearsals fun while also raising the quality of the production. “Both Lynn and Kaitlyn have infinite patience and enthusiasm, and their expertise is top notch,” commented Slayton.
Susi Robbins, a literal force of DIY creativity, is busy crafting costumes and set pieces, advising on set design, and making sure everything has a cohesive look on stage. “Suzi and I worked together on Seussical the Musical several years ago, and I knew I had to have her on the team for Frog and Toad,” said Slayton. “I don’t always understand what she’s trying to explain to me, but I trust her vision!”
Jessica Rose, whose imaginative costume designs transform basic materials into something amazing, heads up the costume crew. “We’re always excited when Jessica walks into rehearsal with a great big bag, because we know she’s got something awesome to show us!” commented Slayton.
The team is rounded out by Katherine White, who has taken stage management to a whole new level, and keeps everyone on their toes and the show running smoothly. “From our first meeting, Katherine has done so many things to make directing easier for me,” said Slayton. “She has fantastic ideas, amazing computer skills, and unlimited enthusiasm for making things happen.”
A Year with Frog and Toad features two talented life-long actors in the title roles: Austin Myers as the cheerful, dapper Frog and Reagan-Lynne Elliott as the grumpier and more self-doubting Toad. Together, they navigate the simple joys of life in these stories, appreciating each other’s idiosyncrasies and supporting each other through such large and daunting problems as how to stop eating cookies, or how to convince seeds to grow into flowers.
“I am so excited to bring A Year with Frog and Toad to our community,” said director Sandy Slayton. “This show is a beautiful celebration of what it means to be a true friend. Watching Austin and Reagan bring these iconic characters to life has been exciting; I’ve wanted to direct this play for a long time, and having such perfect lead actors is a dream come true. They are talented and dedicated. Their chemistry captures the humor and heart that makes Frog and Toad so special, and audiences are going to absolutely fall in love with them both.”
A Year with Frog and Toad is designed to delight audiences of all ages, offering lovely, lighthearted entertainment for adults and a magical introduction to theatre for children. Because of the expected younger audiences, night performances are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., thirty minutes earlier than normal for HCLT shows. Additionally, HCLT is offering a morning matinee on Saturday, Feb 28, at 10 a.m., followed by a one-time event: Lunch with the Characters at Noon. For this $10 ticket add-on, purchasers will get lunch and a chance to meet and take pictures with Frog, Toad, and all their friends.
As Frog and Toad venture through the seasons, old and young alike will find themselves chuckling at these characters, maybe recognizing a bit of themselves in the silliness of Frog or Toad’s reactions to life’s ups and downs.
Performances of A Year with Frog and Toad are Friday, February 20 at 7 p.m., Saturday, February 21 at 7 p.m., Sunday, February 22 at 3 p.m., then Friday Feb 27 at 7 p.m., Saturday morning, Feb 28, at 10 a.m., and Sunday afternoon, March 1, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at: www.hclt.org or at the South Boston/Halifax County Visitor Center (1180 Bill Tuck Highway).
The Cast of “A Year with Frog and Toad”
Frog, Austin Myers
Toad, Reagan-Lynne Elliott
Snail, Barbara Casparius
Birds, Brooklyn Comer, Dora Slagle, Eric Carrington, Evelyn Wilbourn, Gracelynn Lowery, Juliana Owen, Kate Grubbs, Yasmine Ahmed, Zuri Penn
Turtle, Pierson Mears
Mouse, Autumn Francis
Lizard, Taytum Noblin
Squirrels, Avery Boyd, Easton Campbell, Kaden Carrington, Riley Rogers
Mother Frog, Megan Bradley
Father Frog, Jeremy Duffer
Young Frog, Bradley Powell
Large and Terrible Frog, Lowe Reeves, Arica Reeves
Moles, Abigail Hendricks, Caroline Boyd, Cheyanne Compton, Georgia Peak