One of the things I love about children's theatre is the learning opportunities it presents. I took Zack to see Stories of Frog & Toad at Scottish Rite Theatre Sunday. On the drive home from the show, my son had so many questions about frogs and toads, and so many guesses about ways they might be different and ways they might be alike. Taking him to the show was not only entertainng (we heart live theatre), but was a great springboard for our homeschool science lesson this week! I'm also going to sneakily move our copy of a collection of stories of frog and toad to the top of his bedroom book pile and coincidentally notice that 'hey, we just saw this play the other day--wouldn't it be fun to read some of these?' I bought the book years ago, and maybe finally he'll show interest in reading one of my favorite classic storybooks.
Continue reading for my review of the show...
This Scottish Rite Theatre's production is as simple and charming as the classic story books that inspired it. It is also as engaging and interactive as you've come to expect from shows at Scottish Rite Theatre. They really understand children there and give kids just enough opportunities to interact with the show to keep them engaged. Amphibian buddies Frog and Toad wake up from hibernation and enjoy spring days in their swamp, swimming, playing and learning important life lessons about willpower, being considerate of friend's feelings and personal responsibility.
Younger children will especially like Toad's attempt to follow a list of daily self-care tasks that they are learning themselves, the months of the year bit and counting to 50. My favorite aspect of the show is the musical soundtrack provided by the Kazoo Wrangler Band. If you're a regular at Scottish Rite Theatre, you might recognize the members. They performed really clever interludes (there's a reggae one that is pretty funny) and provided sound effects, live, for what was happening on stage. I haven't seen that before in productions and Scottish Rite Theatre and really hope they can work them in again.
Stories of Frog and Toad is a great option for your April weekend family fun. Perfectly timed for the arrival of spring, The Stories of Frog and Toad come to life on the stage of the historic Austin Scottish Rite Theatre. Showtimes are Saturdays, April 12, 19 & 26 at 11:30 pm and 1 pm and Sundays, April 6, 13 and 27 at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm.Tickets are $6 for children ages 2 – 12, and $9 for ages 13 and up. You may purchase them online or at the box office.
If you're in Austin, you should chek it out.
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