A Year With Frog and Toad is coming back to MTYP’s Mainstage for the holiday season! Jennifer Lyon, who plays Toad, chatted with us about the show and why these two characters have remained so comforting and dear to us through the years.

What was your first introduction to Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad stories?

I didn’t actually grow up reading the books, I was more a Dr. Seuss kind of girl, so my first introduction to it was actually here at MTYP when you first produced the musical. I thought it was just the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen! I think I saw it two or three times and kept bringing back more young people to see it with me. It’s amazing how it’s endured.

To what do you attribute this enduring affection that audiences have for this story?

The music itself is really fun and catchy and every song is just a feel good song that you just want to hear over and over, but the story itself about the simplicity of this friendship is timeless. Especially in the world that we live in right now when there’s a lot of bad news, the one thing that can help us, ground us, and give us comfort is friendship. Sometimes we might take friends for granted or might not appreciate and celebrate them the way we should, and I think that this show and the books remind us how valuable and important friendships are.

Frog and Toad have been experiencing some popularity again thanks to the new animated series, but a lot of this appreciation has actually come from adults. In the early 2020s, we’ve seen millennials and gen-z online share quotes, memes, artwork, and even get tattoos of the duo. Why do you think these specific childhood characters are such a comfort right now?

I think it was Arnold Lobel’s daughter who recently said that theses stories are like songs that we heard when we were kids growing up, they just bring us comfort and they make us feel good. You know that the moment you sit down with one of the stories or you hear one of the songs from the show, it’s going to be a safe, comforting, warm place to visit for a little while. I think it’s important to have those moments where we’re grounded by what brought us joy as kids, because it doesn’t matter how old you are, I still feel like I’m 10 years old a lot of the time! I think these stories also help us as adults see how we can better navigate friendships. It takes us back to this pure and simple time where there’s no competition, there’s no drama, there’s just mutual respect between these characters, and I think that’s a really important quality to have in friendships.

Near the beginning of the show, Frog and Toad each rake the leaves in the other’s yards. Then the wind and some squirrels come along and blow everything back to what it was. What do you think Lobel was saying here about acts of kindness? What can we learn from the pair in this situation?

That’s one of my favourite stories in all of his books. I think what he was telling us that even though the result isn’t what they both intended, the fact that they both had the same impulse to do something kind for each other is what warms their hearts and makes them feel good, not their clean lawns. Those darn squirrels messed it all up, but you know that’s just stuff that happens in life. What I think Lobel is saying is that it’s the act of kindness, not the outcome.

The musical and the original books have some hilarious moments. Arnold Lobel’s favourite TV series were Bewitched and The Carol Burnett show. He also loved the comedy of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Are there any specific parts of the show that you can connect to these references and Lobel’s sense of humour?

Being a Carol Burnett aficionado myself, yes I can see that there are elements of that kind of comedy. Specifically, the storyline where Toad has a broken clock and keeps reminding people of it incessantly. It’s done in such a funny and comedic way that is very reminiscent of those early comedy stylings. I think Lobel’s children have also mentioned Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly as a source of inspiration for the dance numbers in the show. I can really see that reference, two people who don’t know each other meeting on a park bench and joining in dance, you just never know when you’re going to make a connection with somebody.

Lastly, why should people bring their families to see this show and what are you most excited for them to see?

I think families should come and see this because you are guaranteed to feel really good for an hour, probably even more since you’ll be going home singing and humming the songs. I think that feeling, the warmth, and the kindness that you get from the friendship will stay with you for a long time.

I’ve always loved being a storyteller. Whenever you tell a story it doesn’t matter if you’re in bed with some kids or if you’re under a tent or on a stage, I think seeing people listening, taking in, and feeling what we’re feeling- which I know will be joy and enthusiasm- is always going to be really special. I think its going to be a really feel-good time for everybody, cast and audience.

A Year with Frog and Toad runs on MTYP’s Mainstage from December 6th to 29th! Tickets can be purchased online or by calling our Box Office at 204-942-8898.