A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD Runs Now thru 4/5 at Main Street Theater

Main Street Theater presents A Year with Frog and Toad, based on the books by Arnold Lobel. A Year with Frog and Toad will play Saturdays, today, March 1 - April 5 at 1:00pm and 4:00pm and Mondays - Fridays, March 10 - 14 and 17 - 21 at 1:30pm. Performances will be held at Main Street Theater-Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose Boulevard in the Museum District. Ticket prices for public performances are $17 - $13. Tickets are on sale in person at the Main Street Theater Box Office at 2540 Times Blvd. in Rice Village, via phone at 713.524.6706 or online at mainstreettheater.com. Group rates are available.

Special performances and rates are available for school matinees. Call 713.524.9196 ext 101 or visit the website.

This whimsical musical follows two best friends - the eternally optimistic Frog and the rather grumpy Toad - through four, fun-filled seasons. Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding, eat cookies and learn life lessons along the way. A sweet tale of friendship and what makes each of us unique and special.

Recommended for Pre-Kindergarten and up. No children under 3 allowed in the theater (including sleeping babies).

On Saturday, March 1, MST will hold its Page to Stage Book Club meeting at the Blue Willow Bookshop at 10am. The club meets over the course of the season to talk about the books the MST Theater for Youth plays are based on, meet characters from the books, have a snack, make crafts, and hear a reading from the book. Children can bring their own copy of the book or purchase it at a discount at Blue Willow (located at 14532 Memorial Drive (at Dairy Ashford)). To RSVP for the book club, send an email to vstjohn@mainstreettheater.com. There is no charge to attend.

On Saturday, March 29 at 10am, meet best friends Frog and Toad; enjoy whimsical brunch treats; make a springtime craft; get your face painted; and read the book with Frog and Toad! At Brazos Bookstore, 2421 Bissonnet. $25 per child / $15 per adult. Purchase online or by calling the MST box office.

Arnold Lobel wrote and/or illustrated over 70 children's books. He received the Caldecott award as well as two Caldecott honors including one for Frog and Toad are Friends. He also received the Newbery Honor for Frog and Toad Together.

Mr. Lobel grew up in New York. He always thought of himself as an illustrator. About his writing he said, "I know how to draw pictures. With writing, I don't really know what I'm doing. It's very intuitive." Mr. Lobel was married to Anita whom he met at the Pratt Institute and had two children, Adrianne and Adam. He died on December 4, 1987 in New York.

Andrew Ruthven is the director. Kathy Elder is the music director. The cast includes Stephanie Dew, Scott Gibbs, Beth Lazarou, Scott Lupton, and Zack Varela. The design team includes Jodi Bobrovsky (set design), David Gipson (lighting design), Macy Lyne (costume design), Alex Worthington (sound design), and Rodney Walsworth (properties design). Lauren Dolk is the choreographer. Danielle Docwra is the Production Stage Manager.

Photo by Kaitlyn Walker

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