Oh, what fun—check out this slideshow from the delightful musical A Year with Frog and Toad.
Having trouble viewing the slideshow? Try watching it here.
Showing posts with label Frog and Toad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frog and Toad. Show all posts
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Monday, November 2, 2015
Theatre: All in the Family
Editor’s Note: This is part of a recurring series that looks at the behind-the-scenes staff at South Coast Repertory.
Lori Monnier’s twins were a few months away from being born when South Coast Repertory first produced A Year with Frog and Toad. It was 2009 and Monnier was two years into her job as SCR’s general manager.
Now six years old, Kate and Gigi finally will see A Year with Frog and Toad, along with their entire kindergarten class.
Monnier was seven or eight years old when she had her own introduction to theatre through a production of Annie. Her mother took her to see the show in Tampa, Fla., where the family lived at the time.
“I loved going to that show because it was such a big event for me,” she says. Through junior high and high school, she came to realize that her love for theatre didn’t mean that she should be onstage, but rather in the backstage world—“I realized that there were many people who were better actors than I was, but I had much better organization and management skills, which are definitely needed in the theatre.”
Monnier earned her BA in theatre from Florida State University and then went to work: she assistant stage-managed at a variety of locations, did summer stock in Virginia and was in an apprenticeship program at a theatre in Philadelphia. Then she landed a job with The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., where she worked several seasons as a production assistant and assistant stage manager and eventually joined the Actors Equity Association, the union for professional stage managers and actors.
But as much as she loved backstage work, she found the schedule wasn’t sustainable for one of her desires in life: to have a family.
So, she went to graduate school at Yale University, home to one of the nation’s top theatre program, where she earned an MFA in theatre management. In her final year at Yale, she met scenic design graduate student Fred Kinney, whom she married in 2003.
Following graduation, she was hired as general manager by the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. She then received a two-year grant from the Theatre Communications Group, as part of its New Generations Mentorship program, to be associate managing director at Arizona Theatre Company and, after a short stint at a small classical-type theatre in Pittsburgh, she accepted the job at SCR and moved to California in 2007.
Like Monnier, Kinney has found great creative and professional opportunities in California, including design work at South Coast Repertory, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara, The Chance Theatre and A Noise Within. He also is on the theatre faculty at California State University, Fullerton.
As general manager at SCR, Monnier negotiates contracts for each production and negotiates details for co-productions with producing partners (such as Berkeley Repertory Theatre for One Man, Two Guvnors). She also handles the theatre’s internal operations, including business and budgets, information technology, facilities and security, and the front of house staff.
“I think I was drawn to being a general manager because of the big picture view and the organizational aspect of what I do,” she says.
SCR has been a perfect fit for her in many ways.
“I love the vastness of what we do—the new plays, working with playwrights—and, of course, our history,” she adds. And, since 2009, she has an even greater appreciation for productions geared for younger audiences.
The first show that the family saw together was the 2013 Summer Players production of Seussical. Since then, they have brought the girls to see many of SCR’s Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) shows including Ivy +Bean: The Musical, Charlotte’s Web, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and OZ 2.5, as well as the Summer Players Conservatory shows Annie, Peter Pan and Mary Poppins.
TYA productions are opportunities for Monnier and Kinney, whose mothers were librarians, to read the books with Kate and Gigi ahead of each show.
“Gigi especially will say something like ‘Oh, I remember that!’ or ‘That wasn’t in the book!’” Monnier says with a smile. “Having those conversations with the girls is fun.”
And this production of Frog and Toad is especially sweet for the family because Kinney designed the sets. The girls are even more excited to show off not only where Mom works, but what Dad designed.
Monnier wants the girls to grow up with a balance of experiences for a well-rounded education and life. They go to the symphony family series concerts, like to dance, take piano lessons, sing in the church choir and like to put on shows.
“We’re proud of them!” she says.
In her office, while Monnier has adorned the walls and windows with theatre memorabilia and with Kate- and Gigi-created art works, she remains much-focused on the business of SCR.
“It takes a lot of work in the background to make the theatre experience come to life for our audience members,” she says. The success of the theatre includes not only what is seen on the stage, but everything that happens just out of sight: the backstage work in the scene shop, costume shop, props, wigs, paint and more; the facilities crew; the front of house staff; marketing, development, administration and more.
“I feel blessed to work at SCR because it’s such a strong and solid organization,” she says. “As a non-profit, our community has the chance to invest in our work and we have great support from that community and from our Board of Trustees. We revere our long history, but we also work in a forward motion and we do innovative things. It’s exciting!”
Look for her, Kinney and the twins in the audience this month at A Year with Frog and Toad.
Learn more and buy tickets.
 |
| SCR's General Manager Lori Monnier. |
Now six years old, Kate and Gigi finally will see A Year with Frog and Toad, along with their entire kindergarten class.
Monnier was seven or eight years old when she had her own introduction to theatre through a production of Annie. Her mother took her to see the show in Tampa, Fla., where the family lived at the time.
 |
| Kate and Gigi meet Larry Bates as Wilbur from Charlotte's Web. |
Monnier earned her BA in theatre from Florida State University and then went to work: she assistant stage-managed at a variety of locations, did summer stock in Virginia and was in an apprenticeship program at a theatre in Philadelphia. Then she landed a job with The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., where she worked several seasons as a production assistant and assistant stage manager and eventually joined the Actors Equity Association, the union for professional stage managers and actors.
But as much as she loved backstage work, she found the schedule wasn’t sustainable for one of her desires in life: to have a family.
So, she went to graduate school at Yale University, home to one of the nation’s top theatre program, where she earned an MFA in theatre management. In her final year at Yale, she met scenic design graduate student Fred Kinney, whom she married in 2003.
Following graduation, she was hired as general manager by the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. She then received a two-year grant from the Theatre Communications Group, as part of its New Generations Mentorship program, to be associate managing director at Arizona Theatre Company and, after a short stint at a small classical-type theatre in Pittsburgh, she accepted the job at SCR and moved to California in 2007.
 |
| Gigi and Kate with Gander (Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper) after a performance of Charlotte's Web. |
As general manager at SCR, Monnier negotiates contracts for each production and negotiates details for co-productions with producing partners (such as Berkeley Repertory Theatre for One Man, Two Guvnors). She also handles the theatre’s internal operations, including business and budgets, information technology, facilities and security, and the front of house staff.
“I think I was drawn to being a general manager because of the big picture view and the organizational aspect of what I do,” she says.
SCR has been a perfect fit for her in many ways.
“I love the vastness of what we do—the new plays, working with playwrights—and, of course, our history,” she adds. And, since 2009, she has an even greater appreciation for productions geared for younger audiences.
The first show that the family saw together was the 2013 Summer Players production of Seussical. Since then, they have brought the girls to see many of SCR’s Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) shows including Ivy +Bean: The Musical, Charlotte’s Web, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and OZ 2.5, as well as the Summer Players Conservatory shows Annie, Peter Pan and Mary Poppins.
TYA productions are opportunities for Monnier and Kinney, whose mothers were librarians, to read the books with Kate and Gigi ahead of each show.
“Gigi especially will say something like ‘Oh, I remember that!’ or ‘That wasn’t in the book!’” Monnier says with a smile. “Having those conversations with the girls is fun.”
And this production of Frog and Toad is especially sweet for the family because Kinney designed the sets. The girls are even more excited to show off not only where Mom works, but what Dad designed.
 |
| Fred Kinney's set for the 2009 production of A Year with Frog and Toad. |
“We’re proud of them!” she says.
In her office, while Monnier has adorned the walls and windows with theatre memorabilia and with Kate- and Gigi-created art works, she remains much-focused on the business of SCR.
“It takes a lot of work in the background to make the theatre experience come to life for our audience members,” she says. The success of the theatre includes not only what is seen on the stage, but everything that happens just out of sight: the backstage work in the scene shop, costume shop, props, wigs, paint and more; the facilities crew; the front of house staff; marketing, development, administration and more.
“I feel blessed to work at SCR because it’s such a strong and solid organization,” she says. “As a non-profit, our community has the chance to invest in our work and we have great support from that community and from our Board of Trustees. We revere our long history, but we also work in a forward motion and we do innovative things. It’s exciting!”
Look for her, Kinney and the twins in the audience this month at A Year with Frog and Toad.
Learn more and buy tickets.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Fun with Frog and Toad
by Kat Zukaitis
Frog and Toad don’t have much in common. Frog is outgoing and gregarious; Toad is shy and charmingly grumpy. Frog enjoys adventures and scary stories; Toad would rather stay at home with a cozy cup of tea.
And yet, neither is really happy when their friend is not.
In A Year with Frog and Toad, the two perfectly mismatched pals weather the adventures and challenges that a new year brings. The story begins in the spring, with Frog’s energetic attempts to rouse a drowsy Toad from hibernation… even if he has to resort to trickery to do so! In the months that follow, Frog and Toad fly a kite, plant a garden, and bake a batch of utterly irresistible cookies. They secretly rake each other’s yards in the autumn, only to have their efforts erased by a pair of mischievous squirrels. One dark and stormy night, Toad is frightened out of his warty skin by his friend’s scary story about a large and terrible frog—and nearly breaks off their friendship that winter after a sledding trip goes disastrously wrong.
But a timely letter sets things to rights, and friendship proves stronger than fear for our eponymous amphibians. With the able assistance of a cheery mouse, a stalwart snail, and a host of other creatures, Frog and Toad are all set for a year that teaches them about the great power of everyday interactions.
A Year with Frog and Toad first warmed the hearts of SCR audiences in 2009. The production was such a success that we’re bringing it back this fall, complete with nearly all of the original cast members. Director Nick DeGruccio once again takes the helm, and scenic designer Fred Kinney and costume designer Soojin Lee will bring the woodland world to life with their marvelous creations. (Read more about the cast here.)
Arnold Lobel is best known for his classic illustrated books about Frog and Toad, which have captivated generations of children with their whimsical exploration of the meaning of friendship.
Lobel began drawing early in life. While growing up in Schenectady, New York, he missed long stretches of the second grade due to illness. He passed the time by drawing animal characters, and used these characters to make friends with his classmates when he finally returned to school. Lobel later drew on the experiences like these to create the timeless characters that populate his books. “Frog and Toad,” Lobel commented, “are really two aspects of myself.”
Lobel’s books were widely read and widely praised: Frog and Toad was a Caldecott Honor book in 1971, and he won the Caldecott Medal a decade later for the lighthearted yet profound Fables. He frequently collaborated with his wife, Anita, also a talented illustrator, and found inspiration in outings with their two children. "I cannot think of any work that could be more agreeable and fun than making books for children," Lobel said. When he died in 1987, he left behind a legacy of almost 100 books.
Arnold’s daughter Adrianne Lobel, herself a noted set designer, realized the theatrical potential of her father’s work. With the assistance of Willie and Robert Reale, who wrote the book, music and lyrics, Adrianne brought A Year with Frog and Toad to life at the Children’s Theatre of Minneapolis in 2002. A sold-out run in New York followed, and the musical earned several Tony nominations. A Year with Frog and Toad has since been seen at theatres throughout the country, bringing Lobel’s beloved woodland characters to a new generation of children.
Learn more and buy tickets.
 |
| Alex Miller and Justin Michael Duval in the 2009 production of A Year with Frog and Toad. |
And yet, neither is really happy when their friend is not.
In A Year with Frog and Toad, the two perfectly mismatched pals weather the adventures and challenges that a new year brings. The story begins in the spring, with Frog’s energetic attempts to rouse a drowsy Toad from hibernation… even if he has to resort to trickery to do so! In the months that follow, Frog and Toad fly a kite, plant a garden, and bake a batch of utterly irresistible cookies. They secretly rake each other’s yards in the autumn, only to have their efforts erased by a pair of mischievous squirrels. One dark and stormy night, Toad is frightened out of his warty skin by his friend’s scary story about a large and terrible frog—and nearly breaks off their friendship that winter after a sledding trip goes disastrously wrong.
But a timely letter sets things to rights, and friendship proves stronger than fear for our eponymous amphibians. With the able assistance of a cheery mouse, a stalwart snail, and a host of other creatures, Frog and Toad are all set for a year that teaches them about the great power of everyday interactions.
A Year with Frog and Toad first warmed the hearts of SCR audiences in 2009. The production was such a success that we’re bringing it back this fall, complete with nearly all of the original cast members. Director Nick DeGruccio once again takes the helm, and scenic designer Fred Kinney and costume designer Soojin Lee will bring the woodland world to life with their marvelous creations. (Read more about the cast here.)
 |
| Arnold Lobel |
Meet the Creators: Arnold Lobel, Adrianne Lobel & the Reale Brothers
Arnold Lobel is best known for his classic illustrated books about Frog and Toad, which have captivated generations of children with their whimsical exploration of the meaning of friendship.
Lobel began drawing early in life. While growing up in Schenectady, New York, he missed long stretches of the second grade due to illness. He passed the time by drawing animal characters, and used these characters to make friends with his classmates when he finally returned to school. Lobel later drew on the experiences like these to create the timeless characters that populate his books. “Frog and Toad,” Lobel commented, “are really two aspects of myself.”
Lobel’s books were widely read and widely praised: Frog and Toad was a Caldecott Honor book in 1971, and he won the Caldecott Medal a decade later for the lighthearted yet profound Fables. He frequently collaborated with his wife, Anita, also a talented illustrator, and found inspiration in outings with their two children. "I cannot think of any work that could be more agreeable and fun than making books for children," Lobel said. When he died in 1987, he left behind a legacy of almost 100 books.
Arnold’s daughter Adrianne Lobel, herself a noted set designer, realized the theatrical potential of her father’s work. With the assistance of Willie and Robert Reale, who wrote the book, music and lyrics, Adrianne brought A Year with Frog and Toad to life at the Children’s Theatre of Minneapolis in 2002. A sold-out run in New York followed, and the musical earned several Tony nominations. A Year with Frog and Toad has since been seen at theatres throughout the country, bringing Lobel’s beloved woodland characters to a new generation of children.
Learn more and buy tickets.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Plays for Young Audiences Have Deep Meaning for Actors
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| Emily Eiden, Erika Schindele and Justin Michael Duval in SCR's 2009 production of A Year with Frog and Toad. |
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| Erika Schindele, Justin Michael Duval and Emily Eiden in A Year with Frog and Toad. |
“This is an intelligent show for both adults and kids,” Schindele says. “The music has intricate harmonies and characters are so lovely.”
“I love the simplicity of the story—its gentle focus on the everyday aspects of friendship,” Eiden says. “What’s fantastic is how Frog and Toad enrich each other’s lives just by being there for each other, every day of the year.”
Friendship is a key part of theatre that Eiden and Schindele know well; they became friends in 2009 during that first production of Frog and Toad. And each had an early start in theatre through supportive friends and family
For Eiden, whose father directed shows and whose mother both directed and acted, childhood was all about great storytelling and experiencing the power of theatre. She first stepped onstage at the age of three in a production of The Miracle Worker, directed by her father.
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| Kasey Mahaffy and Emily Eiden in the 2008 production of Taking Steps. |
Her mother directed a touring production each year and Eiden traveled with her and a group of kids to local libraries and parks to put on plays and, after rehearsals, they also would work on costumes and props.
“I learned much of what I know about acting from my parents,” she says.
Schindele fondly remembers her first time on stage when, as a young girl, she was in a production of Annie at a community theatre. But for her, the acting bug didn’t bite until she began taking drama classes in junior high school. She credits a love for theatre to her drama teacher, who encouraged, taught and cast her, and helped her explore all aspects of stagecraft. Years later, he hired her to choreograph middle and high school productions.
Eiden’s first production at SCR was Kitty in Alan Ayckbourn’s farce, Taking Steps (“I spent most of the show locked in a closet and it was a blast!”).
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| Richard Doyle, Erika Schindele, Matthew Koehler and Daniel Blinkoff in SCR's 2008 production of An Italian Straw Hat. |
Schindele found portraying Helen in The Italian Straw Hat to be amazing, “because I got to run around in a stunning wedding dress built for me by SCR’s phenomenal Costume Shop.”
She also loves the role of Belle in A Christmas Carol, made more memorable for a few reasons: she and her family had been coming to see the show for years; and she got engaged during the run of the show in 2010 (“He proposed and the following day at the two performances, I could show off my ring and my beautiful proposal story. I love our Christmas Carol cast so much that it was like sharing the news with family.”).
Outside of SCR, both Eiden and Schindele remain active in theatre, television, film and voiceover work.
“In live theatre, I love the process—rehearsals, costume fittings, tech, previews and then the show’s run,” Schindele says. She enjoys working with actors and directors, as they develop characters, and discussing the story, meaning and message of a show. In film and television, she does her “little piece of a huge project in one or two days. It’s still fun, thrilling and fulfilling, but a completely different way to tell a story”
Eiden does quite a bit of work geared for younger audiences, including theatre, audio books and cartoons.
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| Emily Eiden, Tobie Windham, Erika Whalen, Rudy Martinez, Tony Sancho and Melody Butiu in Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! |
Plays created for younger audiences have special meaning to this pair of actors, perhaps since each had an early introduction to the theatre. As they work again together on A Year with Frog and Toad, both think about young audience members.
“We follow Frog and Toad through the seasons and through all sorts of adventures,” Schindele says. “Through it all, they look out for each other. Maybe kids will leave humming a few catchy tunes or learn that friends can be family, too.”
“Kids are the best audiences,” Eiden says. “They come ready to have fun and believe in our onstage world. I find that the ‘simple’ lessons of the play are some of the most important lessons for kids to learn—and it doesn’t hurt to remind the adults in the audience of those lessons, either.”
Learn more about the play and buy tickets.
Photos by Henry DiRocco.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Kids and Families LOVE A Year with Frog and Toad
South Coast Repertory first staged the wildly popular Broadway musical, A Year with Frog and Toad, as part of Theatre for Young Audiences in 2008-9. Wildly popular is key—audiences loved this show so much, that we’re bringing it back in 2015, with nearly all of the original cast, and the original costumes and sets. There’s so much to love about this musical written for kids, adapted from the books by Arnold Lobel about friends Frog and Toad and a host of woodland creatures.
If you missed A Year with Frog and Toad the first time around at SCR, check out these photos from the show.
And if you love the books already and want to see it on the stage, learn more and buy tickets.
Having trouble viewing the slideshow? Try watching it here.
If you missed A Year with Frog and Toad the first time around at SCR, check out these photos from the show.
And if you love the books already and want to see it on the stage, learn more and buy tickets.
Having trouble viewing the slideshow? Try watching it here.
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