Written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel during the 1970s, the “Frog and Toad” books are popular children’s stories affirming the value of friendship between Frog, who is the taller, greener and more laid back one, and Toad, who is the shorter, browner and generally more uptight one.
Shortly after the turn of the millennium, Lobel’s daughter commissioned a musical based on the books that became the first professional production for children to open on Broadway. Called “A Year With Frog and Toad,” it follows the adventures of the two amphibious friends as they sing and dance their way through a year in the swamp along with a colorful assortment of hopping, crawling, slithering and flying companions.
This weekend, July 22-23, and also Aug. 3-6, New Century Theatre Kids brings a lavish staging of the show to Theatre 14 on the Smith College campus. Directed by Cate Damon, with musical direction by Mitch Chakour, performances are at 10:30 a.m.
$10 ($8 for groups of 10 or more). 585-3220, newcenturytheatre.org