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A Year With Frog And Toad

Book and Lyrics by Willie Reale, Music by Robert Reale. Based on the book by Arnold Lobel. [G]

Directed by Wendy Moore. Music directed by Traci Kern.

Frog and Toad are nothing alike. Yet, they're best, BEST friends. Toad's a worrywart, if you'll pardon the expression, Frog's not. But oh, what good times they have trying to keep sleds on the ground, kites in the air and themselves from overeating cookies.

Waking from hibernation in the spring, they proceed to plant gardens, swim, rake leaves and go sledding, learning life lessons along the way, including a most important one about friendship and rejoicing in what makes each of us special.

"It is terrific that kids and families are able to see this splashy and clever musical here in Evergreen," says Players' president Molly Epstein. "'A Year with Frog and Toad' is touching, extremely funny, and communicates wit and excitement across generations. We guarantee the entire family will want to see it again and again!"

Cast

Andrew Caldwell Male Ensemble

This is Andrew's first performance with the Evergreen Players and he is thrilled to be part of such a fun show. Other favorite roles include: Brundibar/Brundibar (Central City Opera), Laurie/Little Women (THAC), Perchik/Fiddler..., and Edward Hyde/Jekyll and Hyde. Andrew is a student at Metro State, working on a degree in Human Development and Elementary Education.

Bernie Cardell Toad

Bernie is thrilled to be back in Evergreen after directing Wait Until Dark last fall. Other favorite musical roles include Marcellus in The Music Man, Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Hines in The Pajama Game. Upcoming projects include directing The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow in September (nextstagedenver.com). Thanks to Mom and Dad.

Jessica Clare Female Ensemble

Jessica is thrilled to be working with Evergreen Players again after her portrayal of Annabel in Evergreen's production of "Lucky Stiff". Jessica has a BFA Degree in Musical Theatre from Ohio Northern University. Since moving to Denver, she has performed with several companies, including Main Street Players, Performance Now, Town Hall Arts Center, Imagination Makers Theatre Company and Next Stage Theatre Company. Her favorite theatrical credits include Sara Jane Moore in "Assassins", Martha in "The Secret Garden", Sally in "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown", Angela in "Darlene"(Byre Theatre, Scotland), Medea in "Medea", and Stella in "A Streetcar Named Desire". Jessica would like to thank her family and friends for all their love, laughter and support.

Jan Hart Costume Design

Jan Hart brings Evergreen Players over 40 years of experience in community theatre, both on and off the stage. She has served EP as a Board Member and Officer, a director, choreographer, costumer, actor, and stage manager. Jan has won the "Best Costumes" award at three State competitions. Jan and her husband Gary split their year between Genesee and Tucson.

Gene Kato Frog

Gene returns to Center Stage via the Phoenix Theatre in Denver where he has been busy staging shows such as CHESS, ASSASSINS, and RECENT TRAGIC EVENTS. He was recently honored with a Denver Post nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy Earlier this year he staged the Player's production of SABRINA FAIR. Next on Gene's plate is performing in the Regional Premiere of THE INTELLIGENT DESIGN OF JENNY CHOW. Thanks to Bernie and Jessica for the conversation on the trips up the hill, as well as to you, the audience - for supporting live theatre in Colorado.

Mathew Kepler Stage Manager

Mathew is excited to continue his venture into Community Theater with Evergreen after an exciting run in NextStageDenver's production of Chess and Pajama Game with PerformanceNow. Mathew is working slowly but surely towards a BFA in Musical Theater at Metro State. Some of his favorite roles there include Bellomy in The Fantasticks, Sergeant of Police in Pirates of Penzance and Kevin in Daniel on a Thursday. Some favorite techie experiences include Sound Design for The Laramie Project and ASM for A Mid Summer Nights Dream. Thank you to Wendy and the cast for their support of my last minute entry into this process. Thank you to all my friends, present and absent for your continued love and support. And as always....for Moira.

Traci Kern Music Director

Traci is thrilled to make her Evergreen Players debut with this wonderful show! She has music directed many shows including How To Succeed...(Fringe Festival-Scotland) and Wonderful Town (Beacon School-NYC). She has been a professional voice teacher and performer for over ten years and currently maintains a voice studio in Denver. Traci's next project is playing "Sister Hubert" in Nunsense at St. Francis Cabrini Church in Littleton.

Melissa Leppert Female Ensemble

Melissa Leppert graduated from UNC with a music degree in 2002. She's been in "Once Upon A Mattress"; and "The Secret Garden" with the Evergreen Players. She is excited to be in another children's musical. She is also a praise and worship leader at her church and works as a child care provider with infants to five year olds.

Wendy Moore Director

Since retiring in 2005 from a 33 year career in education, Wendy has been able to immerse herself in theatre. Over the past year, she has directed for Theatre Aspen (Near Sighted Knight...), Aspen Community Theatre (PIPPIN), Aspen Stage/CMC (The Laramie Project - Colorado Theatre Festival 2005 Winner), and Open Stage (The Exonerated). Recent acting credits include Theatre Aspen (It's a Wonderful Life) and Lake Dillon Theatre Company (The Oldest Profession). Thanks to Evergreen Players for the invitation, John and Kathy for the place to stay, and this delightful cast and crew. It probably couldn't be any more fun than it's been. Love to Bob, Mandy and Missy.

Mary Spies Costume Design

Mary has been involved in theater for about 30 years doing chorus, musical leads, directing and costuming. She recently played a Texas teacher in an Argentine film HERMANAS. Some of her favorite shows to costume have been: BYE BYE BIRDIE, GREASE, PICNIC, TOMMY, GUYS AND DOLLS - era costumes always a lot of fun! She has been working with the Evergreen Chorale and recently costumed her favorite musical INTO THE WOODS. It has been a pleasure working with Jan Hart on this project!

Tom Ward Set Design

Tom's recent designs include PARALLEL LIVES for Aspen Stage, PIPPIN for Aspen Community Theatre, NARNIA for Shore Country Day School, Beverly, MA, and THE ADVENTURES OF JOHNNY APPLESEED for Theatre Aspen. He has a BFA in Theatre from Denison University, and been an Aspen resident for 36 years. Thank you to the talented people of the Evergreen Players! Thanks to Donna.

Production Crew

Images from A Year With Frog And Toad

Photography by Ellen Nelson and other volunteers.

The Cast of 'Frog & Toad'