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As is now becoming community tradition, The Uwharrie Players will present its 3rd annual Theatre for Young Audience (TYA) production Friday through Sunday.
The brainchild of Christain Payne and Bradley Eudy, this production format is specifically targeted to engage young theatre goers with a magical set, exciting lighting, funny scenes, whimsical characters, colorful costumes and more.
Payne first took the stage with The Uwharrie Players in “Ramona Quimby in 2004.”
He continues to draw from that experience.
“Making theatre accessible to young audiences is our baseline motivation,” says Payne. “Our hope is this sparks creativity and stretches the bounds of imagination for all the children who attend — and maybe their parents, grandparents, and guardians, too.”
Like the previous TYA productions, this year’s show, “A Year with Frog and Toad,” brings to life characters from a beloved children’s series. The original series, written by Arnold Lobel, was a part of a “I Can Read” series and included “Frog and Toad Are Friends,” “Frog and Toad Together,” “Frog and Toad All Year” and “Days With Frog and Toad.”
This 60-minute musical draws from the entire series and follows two best friends, Frog and Toad, as they take on adventures — like swimming, sledding and even baking cookies, experience the changing seasons and embrace the true meaning of friendship.
The staged musical, adapted by Robert and Willie Reale, received three nominations at the 2003 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score.
Through the lessons they learn along the way, the two best friends celebrate and rejoice in the differences that make them unique and exceptional. Part vaudeville, part make believe… all charm, “A Year with Frog and Toad” tells the story of a friendship that endures throughout the seasons.
“These productions are my favorite because the cast is just a group of friends playing and making art,” Payne said. “It is freeing to be silly and vividly creative, and there is nothing like an auditorium of kids laughing and cheering you on. Theatre is so important; to be able to share this impactful form of expression is beyond rewarding.”
This will be Payne’s third time serving as director for The Uwharrie Players’ TYA production. Others on the production team include Juan Leon, technical director and lighting; Blair Johnson, choreography; Joseph Judge, music direction; Gene Starnes, audio; Audrey Barringer, props; and Christine Barringer, costumes.
The cast is made up of Christian Payne, Frog; Bradley Eudy, Toad; Gracien Treece, Bird and Mouse; Kimrey Lowder, Bird and Turtle; Blair Johnson, Lizard; and Jeremy Clark, Snail.
“A Year With Frog and Toad” is made possible by a grant from Stanly County Community Foundation, with additional support from the Scardina Family. Thanks to this grant and funding the show is free to anyone 13 and under. They also make it possible for all first and second graders in Stanly County Schools to see the production through the Stanly County Arts Council’s Cultural Education Program.
Following the performances for the general public, the show will move to the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center for these special performances, exclusively for first and second graders. Classroom teachers will also receive packets to help guide the students in connecting the literature to the live performance.
“We hope our efforts inspire an interest in theater and the arts in general,” Payne said.
The musical opens at 7 p.m. Friday at the Albemarle Neighborhood Theatre in downtown Albemarle. Performances will continue throughout the weekend at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the door on show dates. Tickets cost $10 for those over 13 years old, and tickets are free for those 13 and younger. Purchase online in advance at TheUwharriePlayers.org.