Cardinal Stage’s ‘Frog and Toad’ hits with both young and old

“Standing room” takes on a different sort of meaning at a children’s play, in that, the children are small enough to all stand without disrupting anyone’s view.

At the Cardinal Stage’s production of “A Year with Frog and Toad,” a sold-out crowd of parents and children, saw the latter jumping to their feet and both parties thoroughly enjoying the show, an adaptation of the classic children’s “Frog and Toad” books by Arnold Lobel.

“I thought they did a really good job of acting the show,” said child patron Lucia Walker.
Walker said her favorite character was the Mouse.

The actors’ lively portrayals of these animal characters was one of the highlights of the show. The small cast featured Mike Price and Peter Sipla as Frog and Toad, respectively. It was rounded out by Hana Slevin, Ellen Doyle and Alex Shotts, all of whom played more than one role.

“It was my first kid’s show, and the biggest difference is you have to look at the audience constantly,” said Slevin, an IU senior majoring in musical theatre. “It’s very participatory theatre.”

Doyle, who is a junior majoring in theatre, said the production required a lot more comedic timing, since there were jokes for both kids and adults.

And those jokes came off very well. Shotts’ portrayal of Snail, an ultra-tardy mailman, drew ovations each time he appeared on stage and was still receiving rave reviews in post-show chatter.

The production also featured some great stage effects like falling snow and leaves, also flying a kite above the crowd at one point.

“You also have to be careful the kids aren’t touching all the props,” said Kimberly Redick, an IU senior who was serving as assistant stage manager for the play.

“When I’m flying that kite back there, they’re always trying to get a hold of it.”

But probably most telling measure of the show’s delight was the laughter and visible excitement from the kids, whose catcalling at worst was demands for more Frog or Toad.

“I just really, really like all the characters,” said Walker.