Musical Based on 'Frog and Toad' Books Comes to San Ramon

Some of us may remember the “Frog and Toad” children’s books written by Arnold Lobel in the 1970s, which chronicled the friendship of two animals, Frog and Toad, and often taught life lessons along the way.

The series later became a Tony award-nominated musical, and this spring, the Bay Area Children’s Theatre will bring that production to audiences in San Ramon. “A Year with Frog and Toad,” written by Robert Reale and Willie Reale, will run at the  on weekends from Saturday through May 8.

Mina Morita, a Berkeley-based freelance theater director, said the show is suitable for all ages and sends positive messages about life and friendship.

“The most important message it sends is that friendship means sticking by someone,” Morita said. “It also teaches audiences to try and be optimistic about life, and to find joy in everything.”

The musical follows Frog and Toad over the course of a year as they encounter challenging situations such as flying a kite, sledding down a hill, wearing a bathing suit and gaining the willpower to stop eating cookies for dinner. In the meantime, another character, Snail, takes the entire year to deliver a letter Frog has written to Toad.

“It’s adorableness poured on top of adorableness,” Morita said. “The humor is great and it’s also very authentic. It shows us that we can laugh at ourselves.”

The cast of five includes Charlie Cromer as Frog. The Ohio native also has worked with the Bay Area’s Impact Theatre. William O’Neill, a musical theater and opera performer who is a youth theater director, vocal instructor and the worship and music minister at Messiah Lutheran Church in Redwood City, plays Toad.

Composer and San Francisco Opera Guild instructor Julia Norton serves as the show’s music director.

Morita said the musical’s simple sets include a small house and beanbags that resemble lily pads. Costumes display animal features such as feathers, and the music is jazz-like with sophisticated harmonies, she said.

The is at 17011 Bollinger Canyon Road.

“A Year with Frog and Toad” will be held at 2 and 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through May 8, as well as at 7 p.m. May 7. Tickets are $14 to $15 for children, $16 to $17 for seniors and $18 to $20 for adults. Group discounts are available for $12 to $13 per person.

For more information or to buy tickets, call 925-973-3343 or click here.