PRESS RELEASE
Press contact: Jay Kelly, L.C. Williams & Associates
jkelly@lcwa.com or 312.565.4623
Go to chicagochildrenstheatre.org/press/high-res-photos to download hi-res images for CCT’S 2013-14 season.
CHICAGO CHILDREN’S THEATRE TO TREAT A WHOLE NEW GENERATION
OF CHICAGO KIDS AND FAMILIES TO ONE OF ITS MOST POPULAR SHOWS
EVER, A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, OCTOBER 9-NOVEMBER 24, 2013
CHICAGO, July 1, 2013 - After seven years and 20 productions, Chicago Children’s Theatre (CCT) is
kicking off its 8th season with a new production of one of the shows it still gets the most requests to bring
back – the company’s inaugural smash hit, A Year with Frog and Toad.
A whole new generation of Chicago kids, thousands in fact, will be treated to Chicago Children’s
Theatre’s new production of this Tony-nominated musical based on the Frog and Toad books by Arnold
Lobel. “We can’t wait,” said Chicago Children’s Theatre Artistic Director and Co-Founder Jacqueline
Russell, “to re-introduce A Year with Frog and Toad to a brand new audience, and see how our original
director Henry Godinez re-envisions this wonderful musical at our new home at the Ruth Page.”
Lobel’s beloved characters hop from the page to the stage in this whimsical musical that follows two best
friends – the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad – through four, fun-filled seasons.
Performances start October 9, 2013 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. in Chicago’s
Gold Coast neighborhood. Press opening is Friday, October 11 at 7 p.m. Performances run through
November 24.
The most affordable way to enjoy CCT’s 2013-14 season is to purchase a Family Membership Pass, on sale
now and offering a 20 percent discount on all three plays next season (including A Year with Frog and
Toad, the world premiere rhythm and blues musical Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money based on the book by
Christopher Paul Curtis with original music by Motown legend Lamont Dozier, and the return of
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar.) Family Membership Passes also come
with exclusive benefits like invitations to members-only behind-the-scenes events and discounts at
nearby family-friendly restaurants. To purchase a Family Membership Pass or for more information, visit
chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call the Chicago Children’s Theatre Box Office, (872) 222-9555.
Single tickets to A Year with Frog and Toad go on sale August 1, and start at $25. To purchase, visit
chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555. For information on discounted group rates for schools,
playgroups, birthday parties and scouting organizations, visit GroupTix.net or call (773) 327-3778.
A Year with Frog and Toad is recommended for ages 4 and up.
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More about Chicago Children’s Theatre’s A Year with Frog and Toad
Ever-popular children’s author and illustrator Arnold Lobel’s well-loved characters hop from the page to
the stage in A Year with Frog and Toad, a whimsical musical that follows two best friends – the cheerful,
popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad – through four, fun-filled seasons. Waking from hibernation in
the spring, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding and learn life lessons, celebrating
and rejoicing in their differences that make them unique and special along the way. Kid-captivating
musical numbers include “Cookies,” “Getta Loada Toad,” “I’m Coming Out of My Shell” and “Merry
Almost Christmas.” Part vaudeville, part make believe, all charm, A Year With Frog and Toad tells the
story of a friendship that endures, weathering all seasons.
Chicago Children’s Theatre’s design team for A Year with Frog and Toad reflects the very best of
Chicago’s top professional theater artists: Henry Godinez (director); Andra Velis Simon and Nicholas
Davio (music directors); Geoffrey Curley (scenic design); William Kirkham (lighting design); Ray
Nardelli (sound); Rachel Healy (costume design); Tommy Rapley (choreography); and Kimberly Morris
(properties design). JoHannah Hall is production stage manager. The cast is TBA.
“I'm so excited to re-investigate another Year with Frog and Toad! With several new creative
collaborators, a new space and a whole new generation of young audiences, we look forward to
discovering a whole new depth of humor and charm in this enchanting tale of lasting friendship,” said
Godinez.
Godinez (director) staged both A Year with Frog and Toad (2006) and Esperanza Rising (2008) for
Chicago Children’s Theatre, both at the Goodman Theatre. He is the resident artistic associate at
Goodman Theatre and the curator of the Latino Theatre Festival. His Goodman directing credits
include The Sins of Sor Juana and Mariela in the Desert by Karen Zacarías, José Rivera’s Boleros for the
Disenchanted (and world premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre), Regina Taylor’s Millennium Mambo, Luis
Alfaro’s Straight as a Line, The Cook by Eduardo Machado, Electricidad by Luis Alfaro, Zoot Suit by
Luis Valdez, Red Cross by Sam Shepard (in Regina Taylor’s Transformations), the Goodman/Teatro Vista
co-production of José Rivera’s Cloud Tectonics, and the 1996 – 2001 productions of A Christmas Carol.
Godinez’s other Chicago credits include Two Sisters and a Piano (Apple Tree Theatre/Teatro Vista coproduction) and Anna in the Tropics for Victory Gardens Theater. Godinez is the co-founder and former
artistic director of Teatro Vista, where he directed Broken Eggs, El Paso Blue, Journey of the
Sparrows, Santos & Santos and The Crossing. His other directing credits include work at Portland Center
Stage, Signature Theatre Company in New York City, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Oak Park Festival
Theatre, and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. As an actor, Godinez appeared most recently in the
Goodman/Teatro Vista world premiere of José Rivera’s Massacre (Sing to Your Children)and on TV
in The Beast, The Chicago Code, Boss and Chicago Fire. Born in Havana, Cuba, Godinez is an associate
professor at Northwestern University and serves on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Arts
Council, Albany Park Theater Project and the editorial board of Northwestern University Press. He is the
recipient of the 1999 Theatre Communications Group Alan Schneider Director Award, the Distinguished
Service Award from the Lawyers for the Creative Arts and was honored as the 2008 Latino Professional
of the Year by the Chicago Latino Network.
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Chicago Children’s Theatre Presents A Year with Frog and Toad.7.1.13.page 2 of 4
More about Frog and Toad, the book series and the musical
Frog and Toad are the main characters in a series of easy-reader books written and illustrated by Arnold
Lobel in the 1970s. Each book contained five simple, often humorous, often poignant short stories about
their adventures together. Frog and Toads are Friends (1970) was the recipient of a Caldecott Honor award
and was named one of the Top 100 Picture Books of all time in a 2012 poll by School Library Journal. Frog
and Toad Together (1972) won a Newbery Honor award.
The musical A Year with Frog and Toad, adapted by brothers Robert (music) and Willie Reale (books
and lyrics), was commissioned by Lobel’s daughter, Adrianne Lobel. It was first produced in 2002 by the
Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis, and was remounted off-Broadway later that year at the New
Victory Theater. It ran briefly on Broadway at the Cort Theatre in 2003, winning three Tony nominations
(Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score) and breaking new ground by bringing
professional children’s theatre for the 3-to-10-set to Broadway.
A Year with Frog and Toad performance schedule
Previews of A Year with Frog and Toad are Wednesday, October 9 at 10 a.m., Thursday, October 10 at
10 a.m. and 12 p.m., and Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. Press opening is Friday, October 11 at 7 p.m.
Performances that weekend are Saturday, October 12 at 6 p.m., and Sunday October 13 at 11 a.m.
Performances continue through November 3: Tuesday at 10 a.m., Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.,
Thursday at 10 a.m., Friday at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Sunday at 11 a.m.
Starting the week of November 4, the addition of more weekend matinees change the performance
schedule to: Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m., Friday at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m.,
2 p.m., and 6 p.m., and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Running time is approximately 75 minutes with no
intermission. All Friday evening 6 p.m. shows include a post-show party to kick off your weekend with
family-friendly activities for the kids.
Tickets are $25 for children and adults to Friday night performances, with the post-show party. Single
tickets to weekend shows are $28 for children, $38 for adults. To purchase, visit
chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555. For discounted school, scout, playgroup, extended
family and other group rates, visit GroupTix.net or call (773) 327-3778.
More about Chicago Children’s Theatre’s 2013-2014 season:
Following A Year with Frog and Toad, Chicago Children’s Theatre will present the world premiere of Mr.
Chickee’s Funny Money, a new R&B musical based on the best-selling book by Christopher Paul Curtis,
author of Bud, Not Buddy, featuring music and lyrics by Motown legend Lamont Dozier and his son
Paris Dozier, directed by Derrick Sanders, presented in association with Funny Money Enterprises and
Bisno Productions (January 21 - March 2); and the return of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other Eric
Carle Favorites performed by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia (opening at the North Shore Center for
the Performing Arts in Skokie April 25 - 26, moving to The Ruth Page April 29 - June 1.)
In response to having programming running for every aged child, CCT will also launch a new series next
spring called Later Stage. The program will add four Friday night performances during the spring 2014
run of The Very Hungry Caterpillar featuring work for older children (8 and up) being created by smaller,
cutting-edge companies like Theatre Unspeakable and Manual Cinema, as well as more established
companies like Blair Thomas and Company. In addition to expanded mainstage programming, Chicago
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Children’s Theatre’s Red Kite Project, the company’s ongoing series of theatrical experiences and
summer theater camps for children on the autism spectrum, will present the U.S. premiere of Jacqueline
Russell’s new show Red Kite/Blue Sky next February at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
The most affordable way to enjoy CCT’s 2013-14 season is to buy a Family Membership Pass, on sale now
and offering a 20 percent discount on all three plays next season. To purchase or for more information,
visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call the Chicago Children’s Theatre Box Office, (872) 222-9555.
Taking the family to live theatre is fun and easy at CCT’s home, The Ruth Page Center for the Arts
Chicago Children’s Theatre looks forward to presenting its second full season in its first-ever permanent
home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, conveniently located in the heart of
Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood, just steps from the Magnificent Mile.
Via public transit, the Ruth Page is a short walk from the CTA Red Line Clark/Division and Chicago
stops, and the Clark, Broadway, Division and Chicago Avenue bus lines. Neighborhood street parking is
available, and the Ruth Page offers discounted parking with ticket validation at the self-parking deck two
blocks north at 1250 N. Dearborn. Nearby family-friendly restaurants include Chicago Q (1160 N.
Dearborn), Epic Burger (40 E. Pearson), Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria (1120 N. State), Eduardo’s Enoteca (1212
N. Dearborn), The 3rd Coast Café (1260 N. Dearborn), and for the family looking for a full day of fun,
Dave and Busters (1030 N. Clark).
In addition to presenting its entire mainstage season at one consistent, convenient location, Chicago
Children’s Theatre’s new home at the Ruth Page Center is better equipped to host birthday parties and
other special events. Moreover, CCT has introduced fall, winter and spring sessions of children’s theater
classes at the Ruth Page, including Tiny Sparks, a story playtime for ages 3 to 5, and Glee Club for ages 9
to 13. Sign up for the fall session will be posted in August at chicagochildrenstheatre.org, or call
(773) 227-0180 x 15 for more information.
About Chicago Children’s Theatre
Chicago Children's Theatre focuses on the production of first-rate children's theatre in Chicago, with top
writing, performing and directorial talent and high-quality design and production expertise. Chicago
Children's Theatre aspires to enrich our community through diverse and significant theatrical and
educational programming that engages and inspires the child in all of us. Launched in 2005, Chicago
Children's Theatre strives to provide affordable and accessible theatre for families and area school
children. To enhance the impact of any given production's themes, Chicago Children's Theatre offers
educational materials and programs for families and educators.
Led by Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell, and Board Chair Todd Leland, the company is supported by
a committed Artistic Council of Chicago-based actors, directors, musicians and designers, and a dynamic
Board of Directors comprised of dedicated individuals from the fields of entertainment, philanthropy and
business. Officers include David Saltiel, President; Jacqueline Tilton, Vice Chair; Lynn Lockwood
Murphy, Vice Chair and Secretary; and David Chung, Treasurer.
Chicago Children's Theatre is sponsored in part by ComEd, Goldman Sachs Gives, JPMorgan Chase and
Target. For more information about Chicago Children's Theatre visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org, call
CCT's dedicated box office line, (872) 222-9555, or the administrative office, (773) 227-0180.
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