My daughter, Nora, watched our dress rehearsal the weekend before opening night. She uncharacteristically had not yet been to a practice and told my wife she needed to see it in case she had notes. Naturally - I was curious as to what those notes might be (she had many), but more so I was curious to know what she thought was the message of the story. We did not read Alfred Lobel’s Newberry Award winning series of books when she was younger. Prior to seeing the show, all she knew of Frog and Toad was based on what she gleaned from hearing me routinely misquote the lyrics while singing my way around the house.
“Friendship isn’t delicate,” she said and then clarified, “Friendship isn’t delicate, or it shouldn’t be. If you are really good friends, it isn’t delicate.” She continued, “I love that Frog believes in Snail, and that Snail believes in herself.” She ended her reflection with “and just happiness - it just made me smile. My cheeks hurt after because I smiled the entire show”.
This episodic adaptation of Lobel’s books has so much to offer audiences young and old. The narrative is simple on its face, but contains within it a rich and complex landscape of thematic ideas.
Our cast of actors, our crew of technical artists, and our ensemble of musicians have served this story so brilliantly and beautifully. They have taken such joy in the discovery of its themes, of finding the fun in every moment, and of sharing Toad's triumphs and Frog's optimism. I am so proud of the artistry each student has affectionately offered to Alfred Lobel’s world and its characters.
I hope it makes you smile too.
~Brian Hardie
Welcome to our Lincoln High School production of A Year with Frog and Toad!
SONGS
Act I
"A Year With Frog And Toad" — Birds, Frog, and Toad
"Spring" — Frog, Toad, and Birds
"Seeds" — Toad
"The Letter" — Snail
"Getta Loada Toad" — Toad, Frog, Turtle, Mouse, and Lizard
"Underwater Ballet" — Orchestra, danced by Turtle
"Alone" — Frog
"The Letter (Reprise)" — Snail
"Cookies" — Frog, Toad, and Birds
~intermission~
SONGS
Act II
"Entr'Acte"
"The Kite" — Birds, Frog, Toad
"A Year With Frog And Toad (Reprise)" — Birds
"He'll Never Know" — Frog and Toad
"Shivers" — Young Frog, Mother Frog, Father Frog, Toad, and Frog
"Snow Ballet"† — Orchestra, danced by Moles
"The Letter (Reprise)" — Snail
"Down The Hill" — Frog, Toad, and Moles
"I'm Coming Out of My Shell" — Snail
"Toad to the Rescue" — Toad and Moles
"Merry Almost Christmas" — Toad, Frog, and Moles
"Finale" — Birds, Toad, Frog
CAST and CREW
Frog.....Curran Littel-Jensen
Toad.....Zachary Kemnitz
Birds.....Max Altena
Clara Carlson
Jackson Klawonn
Marrie Jo Luther
Nick Kvale
Samuel McConnell
Zoe Stevenson
Snail.....Jacalyn Bechard
Turtle......Emily Piper
Lizard......Delaney Gramlick
Mouse.....Berkeley Newell
Father Frog.....James Fletcher
Mother Frog.....Ellie Quinn
Young Frog.....Chalease Kenyon
Large & Terrible Frog...Samuel McConnell
Moles.....Porter Altena
Jonah Boyd
Ender Hosie-Wood
Matias Rojas
Aedan Wagner
Squirrels.....Dillon Glover
Eli Wagley
STUDENT DIRECTOR
Ilee Neemeyer
MUSICIANS
Kathy Ferguson...piano
Topher Post...guitar, banjo
Abbie McPhink...bass, tuba
Eliot Gongopolous...drumset
Mark Hajal...percussion
Josh Raether...percussion
Jacob Pagone...reeds (alto sax, clarinet, flute, piccolo)
Becca Derenge...clarinet, bass clarinet
Annabelle Johnson...flute, alto flute
Miles Broveleit...tenor sax
Ellie Erbentraut...trumpet
Jonathan Wang...trombone
Stage Manager
Lily Ralston-Perrault
Assistant Stage Manager
Jonah Paul
TECHNICIANS
Evy Abild
Taelor Blankenfeld
Madeline Boehrns
Rowan Brown
Oliver Comp
Mayble Devine
Samantha Fletcher
Shelby Hicks
Jay Johnson
Keira Jongewaard
Ivy Kiesow
Carolyn Kirkland
Grace Meyers
Juliet Meyers
Liv Perry
Rhea Petersen
Olivia Raveling
Tommy Rush
Preslie Sheridan
Hannah Skroch
Megan Smith
El Spencer
Netsanet Tefere
Phoenix Wilson
Front of House/Publicity Crew
Elsa Aarbo
Ella Bartz
Max Bennett
Elizabeth Boehrns
Charlotte Desmond
Madyson Jarrott
Mila Lemke
Sarah Liedtke
Rai Rosa de Sharon
Exer Thomas
STAFF
Artistic Director...... Brian Hardie
Music Director......Jacob Noordermeer
Technical Director......... Regan Meyer
Business Manager....... Sara Klawonn
Collaborative Pianist....Kathy Ferguson
Choreographer....Clara Carlson
SPECIAL THANKS
LHS Administration, Dr. Laura Raeder, Danyelle Brown, Mitch Lynch, and David Maxwell
SFSD Fine Arts Coordinator, Shane Wuebben
LHS Custodial Staff
Christy Bossman and her Large and Terrible Masterpiece
Steve Hirsh for always being on call when the lights won’t come on
Mario Chiarello, Dan Carlson, and Drew Balta - There are few joys in musical theatre as pure as working with skilled and professional musicians, and I do believe we are working with the best.
Alaina, Nora and Henry Hardie - the three biggest LHS Theatre fans in the whole world
Mike Brown and MGB Photography
LHS Theatre Booster Reps, led by Amy Little-Jensen
SYNOPSIS
Arnold Lobel's story revolves around the heartwarming friendship between two amphibious pals: Frog and Toad. Throughout the seasons, they embark on whimsical adventures, from planting seeds in spring to sledding down hills in winter. Their camaraderie, humor, and resilience make this musical a charming exploration of friendship. Join Frog and Toad and all their friends as they learn about patience and resilience, friendship and happiness, and the ebb and flow of time.
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.