SBU Theater to stage musical based on classic ‘Frog and Toad’ children’s books

SBU Theater will present “A Year with Frog and Toad” from March 20-23 at St. Bonaventure University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.

 The musical, written by Robert and Willie Reale, follows the plots of Arnold Lobel’s classic “Frog and Toad” children’s books. Nominated for Tony Awards for best musical, best book of a musical and best original score in 2003, the show promises to delight audiences of all ages.

 “We’re excited about ‘Frog and Toad’ because it’s a family musical and it’s always a thrill to have an audience of parents, children and students,” said Dr. Ed. Simone, director. “The energy between the actors, musicians, crew and the audience is just wonderful.”

 The show features Brett Keegan and Ian Rogers as the titular characters. Additional cast members include SBU Theater veterans Makeda Loney, Brooke Perkins, Molly Schaefer and Tori Lanzillo as the show-stopping Snail, and newcomers Lea Battaglia, Christina Stenkewicz and Brianna Wilson.

 “The musical is great because of its catchy songs and its endearing story of friendship,” said Lanzillo, a theater and journalism and mass communication major.

 Professor Becky Misenheimer and senior Emily West designed the show using vaudeville as an inspiration. West said that the episodic nature of the play brought vaudeville to mind.

 “It plays out like a series of vignettes,” said West, a theater and journalism and mass communication major. “We thought about how vaudeville was so overtly theatrical and how it was just meant to keep the audience as entertained and interested as possible, and it seemed obvious that this show should reflect that.”

 Tickets for each of the 7:30 p.m. performances are $8 for the public, and $6 for seniors, subscribers, students and SBU employees. For this production, tickets for students under 14 are $2. For more information or to reserve tickets, phone the box office at 716-375-2494.

 Free students rush seats are offered on an as-available basis one hour before curtain at the box office, one ticket per valid student ID, in person only.

 Special group rates are available for students and teachers. Contact Evelyn Sabina, curator of education, at 716-375-2088 or at esabina [at] sbu [dot] edu.

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