A Frog, a Toad, and Lots of Fun

The beloved children’s story ‘A Year With Frog and Toad’ is now a musical and good for all seasons, at the Chicago Children’s Theatre.

Nick Druzbanski (L) plays Toad and Eduardo Curley-Carrillo is Frog in Chicago Children’s Theatre’s "A Year With Frog and Toad," the Tony Award-nominated musical about a friendship that weathers all seasons, based on Arnold Lobel’s classic children’s book. Amy Nelson

CHICAGO—One of the delights of children’s shows is watching kids in the audience shriek with laughter and cheer when their favorite characters come to life on stage. Such was the case for “A Year With Frog and Toad,” now playing at Chicago Children’s Theatre. Indeed, the kids’ enjoyment of the play was so infectious that the adults were giggling and clapping right along with their tykes.

This childhood story was adapted from children’s author and illustrator Arnold Lobel’s beloved 1976 book, “Frog and Toad All Year.” Robert Reale added music to the play, and his brother Willie wrote the book and lyrics. While the show is a fun-loving escapade that entertains the child in all of us, it also spins a warm tale of friendship and family.