The Tony-nominated Broadway musical 鈥淎 Year with Frog and Toad鈥� is based on author/illustrator Arnold Lobel鈥檚 鈥淔rog and Toad鈥� children鈥檚 book series. The musical, directed by professor opens Nov. 20. Additional performances are Nov. 21 and Dec. 3, 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. with matinees Nov. 22 and Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through the EMU box office at 540-432-4582 or聽.

鈥淥ur production聽is set here in the Shenandoah Valley and the animals are the kind you would find in the woods and ditches right here in western Virginia,鈥� says Vogel. Her vision was to have the actors portray human characters with animal qualities instead of being in animal costumes. 鈥淭he actors have studied the way the animals move and are using that in their portrayals. Also, the characters reflect folks you might meet here too.鈥�

For history major Derrick Turner, assistant director and dramaturg, the show brings back memories. 鈥淚 loved those books. My mom read them to me when I was a child.鈥�

To spark the actors鈥� imaginations, Turner conducted extensive research with EMU professor and conservation photographer . He then compiled movement videos and information on each portrayed animal for the actors, including habitat, food and skeletal structures.

EMU hasn鈥檛 done a children鈥檚 play in at least a decade, Vogel says, but the play meets the ‘s educational goals. 鈥淭heater for Young Audiences (TYA) is a hugely important genre of theater that our students should have experience performing and producing. Children are a different audience than adults.鈥�

The cast will perform three additional matinees for students from six local schools and three home school groups, says Turner, who made study packets accessible for K-5 grades.

鈥淎dults are much more well-behaved, but I find performing for children is a much more interactive experience,鈥� says actor Josh Helmuth, a music composition major who performed for elementary students while in high school.

Helmuth portrays four animals, including a showy bird and a straight and narrow lizard. 鈥淵eah, I don鈥檛 get a break,鈥� he says, smiling.

Playing animals has never been a favorite role for English and theater double-major Makayla Baker. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 like when people portray animals. It鈥檚 so weird. But here I am鈥擨鈥檓 a turtle,鈥� she deadpans. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 been great.鈥�

Baker鈥檚 turtle is a laundry woman carrying a basket on her back and a scrub board around her neck.

Myriam Aziz, a graduate student in the master鈥檚 conflict transformation program, was cast as Frog. 鈥淎 female playing a part for a male, I think that鈥檚 really funny,鈥� says Aziz, who is active in theater in Lebanon. But having a male as a pal, she says, 鈥渞eminds me of my friend back home. We鈥檝e been friends for 13 years.鈥�

The cast and crew agree that even though 鈥淎 Year With Frog and Toad鈥� is based on a children鈥檚 book series, adults will also appreciate the cheerful upbeat musical.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of comedic effect in it,鈥� Helmuth says.

鈥淚t is funny,鈥� says Baker, noting that the EMU community is inviting younger family members and people from their church to the show. 鈥淎 lot of EMU students were raised on these books.鈥�

Cast

Myriam Aziz, Christian Parks, Ezrionna Prioleau, Bianica Baker, Esther Ajayi, Josh Helmuth, Makayla Baker, Zoe Parakuo, Hailey Holcomb

Crew

Director 鈥� Heidi Winters Vogel
Choreographer and Costume Designer –
Accompanist 鈥� Jim Clemens
Stage Manager – Caitlin Randazzo
Assistant Stage Managers – Lydia Hales and Belen Fernandez
Props Designers – Alex Rosenberg and Kevin Clark
Assistant Lighting Designer – Sierra Comer
Assistant Director and Dramaturg – Derrick Turner
Music Director –
Set Designer –
Lighting Designer –

鈥淭welfth Night: A Musical Remix鈥� will be performed by a troupe of actors from 草莓社区 and at the in Washington D.C. Performances will be July 9, 18, 21, 23 and 25 at the Trinidad Theatre.

The production is visually and kinetically dynamic, with music, choreography, make-up and costumes inspired by carnivals and underwater dance. It has been adapted, directed and produced by Assistant Professor of Theater , with an original score composed by James E. (Jim) Clemens.

鈥淭his is an opportunity to showcase our work and our student actors to an international audience in a major metropolitan area and important cultural center,鈥� Poole said.

The Capital Fringe Festival takes place over 18 days in July with over 140 productions, roughly 800 individual performances, showcasing 5,000 artists. Organizers encourage potential performers to 鈥渆xpress their talents and to develop their artistic freedom without any curatorial barriers,鈥� according to the website.

鈥淭his is a massive international festival,鈥� Poole said, 鈥渁nd the fact that it鈥檚 unjuried encourages innovation and creativity. Anyone can come and perform, but at the same time, it鈥檚 a place where well-known professionals can be innovative, venture into new art forms, experiment and take risks.鈥�

While the original production was technically ambitious, with swings and a rotating piano, Poole says the 鈥渞emix鈥� has been condensed and simplified to meet festival requirements. Despite what he calls 鈥渢rimming the fat鈥� 鈥� from three hours to 70 minutes and from 11 actors to six 鈥� the most compelling features are intact, including the makeup, costumes and original musical score, sung by the actors and accompanied by Clemens on piano and EMU sophomore Jacinda Stahly on violin.

鈥淭his production enables us to tell the same sweeping story while relying more heavily on the essential components of any theatrical production: the actors鈥� voices, bodies and imaginations,鈥� Poole said.

The cast, comprised of students, alumni, and former students, includes MaKayla Baker, Holly Hanks, Clara Bush and Shannon Dove. Belen Fernandez is the make-up artist. Rachelle Kratz is assistant director and stage manager. Costumes are created by Ama Ansah, based on the original designs of Holly Labbe.

The cast also includes actors from Wanderlust Theatre Company co-founded by Poole and his wife, Amanda. The company specializes in experimental productions of classical works and the development of original performances inspired by border crossings and cultural issues.

Performance Dates and Times

Thursday, July 9 at 6 p.m.

Saturday, July 18 at noon

Tuesday, July 21 at 9:45 p.m.

Thursday, July 23 at 6 p.m.

Saturday, July 25 at 8:15 p.m.

All performances are Trinidad Theatre. For venue information, directions and tickets to the Capital Fringe Festival, visit or call (866) 811-4111.

Editor’s Note: On July 26, with recognition for Favorite Musical, Favorite Ensemble and Favorite Overall Show. Additionally, three actors were among those honored as Favorite Performers: Holly Hanks, Sean Byrne and Shannon Dove.