A Year with Frog and Toad (Original Cast Recording) [CAST RECORDING] [SOUNDTRACK]

Robert Reale (Artist), Willie Reale (Artist), Jay Goede (Artist), Mark Linn-Baker (Artist), Kate Reinders (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 6, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording, Soundtrack
• Label: P.S. Classics
• ASIN: B0001IN0LW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,108 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A winning combination of a talented cast, appealing music and lyrics by Robert and Willie Reale, and Arnold Lobel's classic children's books made A Year with Frog and Toad a Broadway success that earned 2004 Tony nominations for best musical, best book, and best original score. The brainchild of Adrianne Lobel (the author's daughter and a veteran stage designer) and the Reale Brothers, Frog and Toad was originally produced at The Children's Theater of Minneapolis, turning Lobel's stories into entertaining vignettes starring the titular amphibians (played by Jay Goede and Mark Linn-Baker, Adrianne Lobel's husband) and colored by jazzy '30s-style music. "The Kite," for example, is an energetic Charleston, "He'll Never Know" is a soft shoe, and "Seeds" illustrates Toad's gentle love of plant life in a lyric ballad. This recording captures the original cast from Minneapolis (which transferred intact to Broadway, except Jennifer Gambatese replaced Kate Reinders as one of the birds) and adds an attractive 32-page booklet filled with photos, lyrics, and notes by Adrianne Lobel and the Reales. A Year with Frog and Toad deserves a long life in the repertory of children's theater alongside such fare as You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for kids and Parents alike!, April 7, 2004

By A Customer

Even if you are not familiar with Arnold Lobel's Classic duo - you will enjoy this witty musical. If you do know the Frog and Toad books - this will enhance enjoyment of both musical and books. The music has a sophisticated 30's sound - Great jazzy orchestrations and the lyrics are giggle for both kids and adults. There is not a lot out there that is this good for children and entertaining for adults - rates with the best of Disney and Pixar. My two year old loves the show - but it is appropriate for ages 2 to 92.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Frog and Toad--The Best!, April 12, 2004

A Kid's Review

I went to go see this show before it was on Broadway-in the New Victory Theater in Manhattan. It was the best show I've ever seen. At the time, they didn't have a soundtrack. But then, about a month later, I received a CD that had four songs on it from the show in the mail. I knew that I had to get the whole soundtrack. I couldn't find it anywhere for about a year, and then I looked on Amazon.com and-there it was! This is the best CD I've ever gotten. It's very unusual because that I'd never seen (or heard) anything like this before. Now I go to school singing the songs, and my friends sing with me (at least the parts they know). I love Turtle and Mouse, the way they sing--they have such strong voices. The lyrics to every song are catchy and humorous, and are just happy. I would recommend this CD for everyone who likes catchy, jazzy, funny songs. You just gotta love Frog and Toad!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saw the show at the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis, November 19, 2006

By	Karen (Eden Prairie, MN USA) - See all my reviews

I am about to order my third copy of this disk. I have two boys, ages 11 and 7, and theater-going is the one art-y activity I can get them to do. We are ardent Children's Theatre Company fans, and this is one of our favorites. Even their dad- who doesn't usually accompany us to the theater, LOVES this disk. (Now, if we could only quit wrecking it up!)

The book is based on the Arnold Lobel books. Interesting facts: His daughter and inspiration, Adrienne, was twice involved with the production. First-wise as the set designer, secondly as real-life wife to cast-member Mark Linn-Baker (Toad, also seen on TV in Perfect Strangers, and in the very enjoyable movie My Favorite Year).

All the cast is simply wonderful. The lyrics and music are so much fun. You'll be singing along before you know it!

Highly recommended - you don't need to see the show to *love* this music.