BRUNSWICK – Maine State Music Theatre will present “A Year with Frog and Toad,” the first of its three children’s musicals of the summer, on June 8. It will then host a Theatreworks USA production of “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” on June 12 as a part of its Theatre for Young Audiences programming.
Performances for both shows are scheduled for 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on their respective dates at Pickard Theater on the campus of Bowdoin College. Individual tickets for both shows are available by calling (207) 725-8769 or online at www.msmt.org. Group rates are available for summer camps, school groups and other youth organizations with an interest in the performing arts. Ticket prices range from $7 to $11.
Nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “A Year with Frog and Toad delights young eyes and minds,” raved Variety. The musical brings Arnold Lobel’s well-loved characters to life. Conceived by Lobel’s daughter, Adrianne Lobel, the musical remains true to the spirit of the original stories as it follows two great friends, the cheerful and popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad, through four fun-filled seasons. Waking from hibernation in the spring, they proceed to plant gardens and go sledding, learning life lessons along the way, including a most important one about friendship and rejoicing in the attributes that make each of us different and special.
MSMT’s intern company makes up the bulk of the cast and design crew for “A Year with Frog and Toad.” The interns will also be seen throughout the season in MSMT’s mainstage productions.
“The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” is an enchanting musical based on C.S. Lewis’ famous adventure story about four children of war-torn England who accidentally enter the land of Narnia by climbing through a magic wardrobe. This strange and wondrous place is ruled by the cold-hearted White Witch, who makes the winter last year-round. Although they seem unlikely saviors, the children fulfill an ancient prophesy by defeating the witch, thus restoring sunshine and peace to the spell-bound Narnia and returning the great Lion King Aslan to his throne.
In order to continually support educational theater, MSMT has expanded its Theatre for Young Audiences and will, in turn, present “Schoolhouse Rock, Live!’ on Aug. 19. MSMT’s summer season also includes these mainstage productions: “The Light in the Piazza,” “Crazy for You,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Detailed show information is available at www.msmt.org.