By Jamil Oakford/ editor-in-chief
Bogdan Sierra Miranda/The Collegian
A frog and toad leave the comforts of their homes to go on an adventure, meeting several woodland friends along the way in the upcoming NW Campus theater production.
A Year With Frog and Toad, a musical based on a series of children’s books, follows a year with two friends, Frog and Toad. While it’s based off the books, the play doesn’t follow a specific storyline.
“There’s not much continuity between the scenes,” cast member Travis Brents said. “It’s really just a compilation of scenes from the stories.”
NW student McKinzie Morrow described Frog as a lively character.
“She’s proper, very upfront and outgoing,” Morrow said. “Toad is a lot more worrisome.”
Morrow portrays Frog, who drags along her friend Toad for adventures through the woodlands.
Brents described his character, Toad, as far more sedentary, and Toad is fine with that life.
“He’s very particular about things. He’s very simple,” he said. “He’s fine with hanging at home, drinking some tea.”
Brents finds his character’s motive throughout the musical is to maintain his friendship, no matter what happens.
Morrow said she finds Frog’s role in the story to be a learning block.
“I think that my character kind of takes advantage of Toad,” she said.
Morrow gave an example about a scene, where Frog is excited about sledding through the snow, but Toad isn’t. At one point, Frog leaves her friend in the sled all by himself, telling him there’s nothing to worry about.
“I think this play is all about how to treat your friends,” she said.
For cast member Mar’Quise Johnson, while he has experience with musicals, he’s learning how to perform a musical geared toward children.
“I have to be aware of what gets a kid’s attention,” Johnson said. “Being big, maintaining and holding their attention is key.”
NW student Lexi Cook, who plays Lizard among other parts, is in unfamiliar terrain with musicals but not with entertaining children.
“This is my first musical and my first children’s play,” Cook said. “But I have younger siblings, so I know what it takes to perform to them.”
Many cast members agreed that their favorite part of preparing for the production is the music.
“I love to sing,” cast member Nicole Shepherd said. “It kind of helps you discover the character more.”
Shepherd will portray several roles as well, but her favorite is Turtle.
“He’s kind of the bully,” she said.
She hopes people don’t take away too much from Turtle.
“Well, maybe how not to be Turtle,” she said.
The children’s musical brings a strong message of friendship, most of the cast concurs.
“Friendship conquers everything,” Johnson said. “No matter through the good or the bad, if you’ve got that one friend with who will always have your back.”
Brents hopes the young audience will take away a sense of wonder.
“I hope they walk away with a newfound love of theater,” he said. “Most of them [the audience] haven’t seen a live show, so this is an opportunity.
A Year With Frog and Toad
March 4 7:30 p.m.
March 5 2 p.m.
Theatre Northwest (WTLO 1108)
Admission is free for TCC students,
faculty and staff, $3 for non-TCC
students and seniors and $6
for general public.
Box office: 817-515-7724
