A Year with Frog and Toad

Enzo Gentile and Saum Eskandani as Toad and Frog

Photo by Ahron R. Foster

I didn’t care for A Year with Frog and Toad when it played on Broadway back in 2003. Normally I wouldn’t mention that—or use the first person in a review. But considering my complete turnaround of opinion, I thought it was worth acknowledging. The revival being mounted by the Atlantic Theater Company is delightful. With only a handful of small changes—the director cut two songs and streamlined the running time to just over an hour—this production manages to capture the charm and wit of Arnold Lobel’s beloved books in a way that the original show never did. Using minimalist props and costumes (no amphibian parts in sight), and a borrowed set from the theater’s main-stage production, Cripple of Inishmaan, the musical rests squarely on the actors. Happily, the title characters’ bromance is beautifully evoked by the leads. As Frog, Eskandani is the logical, Zen ying to Gentile’s neurotic, grumpy Toad yang. Despite the latter’s flaws, it’s easy to understand why Frog loves him. As in all enviable relationships, they seem to complete each other.

Like the books, the show isn’t a cohesive story but a series of seasonal vignettes taken straight from the source material. Willie and Robert Reale’s old-timey tunes are pleasant and very well sung, which helps make up for the fact that overall they’re not that memorable. There is one standout song: When Umana, a member of the versatile trio that plays a variety of supporting characters, as Snail, belts out “The Letter” in a wonderful recurring gag, the audience lights up. Snail is carrying an important message of friendship, a theme that is echoed throughout this enchanting show.—Raven Snook

A Year with Frog and Toad is playing at the Linda Gross Theater through Mar 15. Tickets: $10–$15.

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