A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD Hops Onto the NCT Stage Today

Spend four fun-filled seasons with Arnold Lobel's beloved storybook characters in the Tony Award-nominated musical A Year With Frog and Toad, playing April 14-May 15 at Nashville Children's Theatre (NCT).

In Robert and Willie Reale's whimsical show, Frog and Toad wake from hibernation in the Spring, plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, eat cookies, go sledding, and learn life lessons along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in their differences that make them unique and special. The jazzy, upbeat score bubbles with melody and wit, making A Year With Frog and Toad a musical sure to entertain the whole family.

"I am delighted to be able to bring you this endearing tale of friendship, adventure, change, and growth," said Guest Director Shawn Knight.

"A Year With Frog and Toad is inventive and exuberant, bringing a vaudeville style (and lots of make-believe) to the stage while maintaining the charming spirit of both Lobel's text and illustrations. This show may have been written for younger audiences, but the hummable score and memorable characters are sure to charm kids from ages 4 to 104."

A Year With Frog and Toad is based on the popular Frog and Toad books written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel. Adapted by brothers Robert Reale (music) and Willie Reale (books and lyrics), the musical was commissioned by Lobel's daughter, Adrianne Lobel. It was first produced in 2002 by the Children's Theatre Company, Minneapolis, and brought professional children's theatre to Broadway for the first time when it opened at the Cort Theatre in 2003. It received three Tony nominations (Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score).

Bobby Wyckoff and Patrick Waller head up Knight's cast as a worrywart Toad and a perky Frog. Waller was last seen on NCT's stage as Nick in The Cat in the Hat, while Wyckoff most recently had the role of Rev. Graetz in the critically acclaimed production of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Rona Carter, James Rudolph, and Amanda Card portray a host of colorful woodland creatures that Frog and Toad also call friends, including mischievous squirrels, chatty birds, a bossy turtle, and an extremely speedy mail-delivering snail.

Knight, who is a familiar face on the NCT stage, makes his NCT directorial debut with A Year With Frog and Toad. Music Direction is by Russell Davis; choreography by Pam Atha; scenic and lighting design by Scott Leathers; and costume design by Patricia Taber. Dan Brewer serves as production stage manager.

Special events during A Year With Frog and Toad include Regions Bank Free Day on Saturday, April 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets will be available at www.nashvillect.org beginning at 9 a.m. on April 6.

On Sunday, May 1, show patrons can attend NCT's annual Grand Day celebration: a full day of family fun, tickets are available for the performance, for the carnival, and for a VIP Patron experience. Activities are included with a $40 All-Access pass. VIP Patron levels start at $75 for youth/$100 for adults. Grand Day VIP Patrons will receive lunch in the VIP Patron Lounge, tickets with VIP-seating, unlimited access to carnival activities and snacks, and more!

Show times for A Year With Frog and Toad are Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. from Apr. 17 through May 15, and reservations are recommended. There is no Saturday performance on Apr. 16. Individual weekend ticket prices are $15 per child (ages 2 to 17), $20 per adult; group, senior, educator, and military discounts are also available. A sign-interpreted performance is scheduled for May 8 at 2:00 p.m. A Sensory Friendly performance is available May 7 at 11 a.m.

A preview performance is available Thursday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m. at a discounted rate of $7 per child and $15 per adult.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.nashvillect.org or call (615) 252-4675.

About Nashville Children's Theatre Nashville Children's Theatre is a professional theatre company providing the children, families and educators of Middle Tennessee with extraordinary shared theatrical experiences that inspire imagination, develop creativity, and build community.

NCT was founded in 1931 by the Junior League of Nashville and is recognized as the oldest professional children's theater in the country. A national leader in professional theater arts and education programs for young people, NCT was ranked by TIME magazine as one of the top five children's theaters in the country.

Pictured: Bobby Wyckoff and Patrick Waller in A Year With Frog and Toad, photo by Colin Peterson?

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