Hop, leap, and jump into the Detroit Mercy Theatre Company’s first show of the season, “A Year with Frog and Toad.” Based on characters from Arnold Lobel’s classic children’s series and short stories, “A Year with Frog and Toad” is a family-friendly, musical adventure, that invites the audience to come along on a whimsical journey of friendship through the seasons.
Opening night of the production is on Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m., inside the Marlene Boll Theatre in Detroit. The show will run for two weekends during the last week of October and the first week of November.
The Detroit Mercy Theatre Company chose “A Year with Frog and Toad” as its first show of the season for its fun script, lovely story and educational value for student actors and designers.
“We really enjoyed the message of friendship, and these characters, and what they mean to a lot of people,” said the director of the production, Sarah Hawkins Rusk. “It fit really well with our season… I’m always happy to see how students learn and grow, and how they take something and make it their own. So, we have a really great cast, we have a really great production team, and I think it‘s just going to be a really special event.”
Audiences for “A Year with Frog and Toad” should expect a heartwarming story with unforgettable musical numbers.
“We have been joking that every single song in this show gets stuck in your head because it’s so catchy and cute,” Rusk laughed. “I mean there is an entire song about eating cookies, it’s just delightful and fun.”
Luke Adamkiewicz, a senior majoring in theatre from the University of Detroit Mercy, takes on the role of one-half of the charming amphibian duo, Toad. Having read the children’s books by Lobel in his childhood, Adamkiewicz is eager to reconnect with familiar characters.
“The thing that I’m most excited about with this production is the opportunity to play with such delightful characters that I came to know growing up and reading Arnold Lobel’s beloved stories,” Adamkiewicz said. “I’m excited to bring these characters to life and share the joys and struggles that come with a great friendship such as the one Frog and Toad have.”
Katherine Mutschler, a junior majoring in history, portrays a playful cast of woodland creatures, such as a cookie-obsessed bird, a mischievous squirrel, and a stylish turtle that is unafraid to criticize the absurd fashion sense of her friends.
“The show is designed to appeal to younger audiences, but its wit, charm, and jazzy soundtrack will be enjoyable for everyone,” Mutschler said. “I dare you to come to this show and not be smiling by the end of it—the sheer cuteness of this production, I hope, will give everyone a little break from the stresses and chaos of our regular lives.”
“A Year with Frog and Toad” is a celebration of friendship through the changing seasons, that is sure to bring joy to audiences of every generation.
Tickets can be bought online, or at the Marlene Boll Theatre box office
