Featuring a cast of fifteen Boundary County youth (ages 8 – 17), A Year with Frog and Toad will debut on Friday, January 15th at 7 pm. Adapted from the Broadway hit, A Year with Frog and Toad follows two best friends and their adventures through four seasons. Cheerful Frog and her less outgoing friend Toad spend their year celebrating the qualities that make them each different. Their relationship signifies the truest of friendships that will continue to endure through the years. Nominated for three Tony Awards (including Best Musical), this show features colorful characters, jazzy and fun musical numbers, as well as a message about friendship everyone can appreciate.
The two lead characters, Frog and Toad, are played by McKaela Spradlin and Myla McKechnie. “The fun
part about being Frog was getting to know Myla
better in both friendships as McKaela and Myla
as well as Frog with Toad,” McKaela said. “It
has been interesting to see how both friendships
are similar.” Aside from playing one of the lead
roles, McKaela is also the show’s choreographer
which does not come without its challenges. “The
hardest part of being the choreographer is to be
constantly changing and adapting to the needs of
the cast and the environment of the production,”
said McKaela. Myla has performed in seven productions prior to A Year with Frog and Toad and also participates in the Honor Choir at BFHS. When asked what the most fun part of this production has been, she states, “I love the whole cast. It’s been so fun working with everybody. I love you guys!” Although she enjoys being a lead, she says it is difficult being on the stage for almost the entirety of the show. “Theatre is really hard,” she said, “but also super rewarding. Everyone should try it at least once in their lives.”
Directed by David Carpenter, A Year with Frog and Toad was originally presented on Broadway by
Bob Boyett, Adrianne Lobel, Michael Gardner, Lawrence Horowitz and Roy Furman. The show is based on the beloved books by Arnold Lobel, with book and lyrics by Willie Reale and music by Robert Reale. A Year With Frog And Toad TYA is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. (www.MTIShows.com)
The production is sure to be fun-filled and entertaining for people of all ages. There are five performances scheduled for January 15, 21, 22, 29 and 30 at 7 pm in the Bonners Ferry High School Becker Auditorium. Tickets are available at the door for $8 for adults and $5 for students/seniors. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
