SOMERS POINT — Live theater continues this fall at the Gateway Playhouse, where the Shaken Not Stirred Players are scheduled to perform “A Year with Frog and Toad” on two weekends.
Described as “part Vaudeville, part make believe and all charm,” the musical tells the story of a friendship that endures throughout the seasons.
The production is based on the book series by Arnold Lobel, with music by Robert Reale and lyrics by Willie Reale.
As the seasons pass, the audience joins the friends on all of their adventures from swimming and baking to raking leaves and sledding. The basic tenets of their relationship are kindness, trust and sharing.
“It’s a musical adaptation of a children’s book but adults have enjoyed the show and appreciate its message and the nostalgia of it,” said Jim Dalfonso, a founding member of the Theater Collaborative of South Jersey and member of the SNSP who performs in the production. “It’s certainly not a ‘kids show’; every audience member will take something away from it.”
The show was commissioned by the author’s daughter and premiered on Broadway in 2003, after a successful Off Broadway run. It was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score, and has become a producer and fan favorite in regional theaters, bringing its message to audiences of all ages.
The SNSP has been producing shows, mainly at the Gateway but also at other venues, for nearly 20 years.
The performances, scheduled for 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 29-Oct. 1 and Oct. 6-8, is the Shaken Not Stirred Players’ third production of the musical but the first at the Gateway Playhouse.
“One of the reasons we wanted to do this show again is because we always wanted to do it at the Gateway,” Dalfonso said, noting the troupe performed it once at Eagle Theatre in Hammonton and another time at Dawes Avenue School in Somers Point.
“I think the Gateway audiences are going to love it,” Dalfonso said, adding that to generate excitement, the group is performing costumed readings at local libraries.
The schedule is Sept. 28 at the Egg Harbor City branch of the Atlantic County Library, 10:30 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Brigantine branch and 10:30 a.m. Oct. 4 at the Linwood Library (tentative).
Tickets are $15 for students and $35 for adults. Group rates are available and special rates and packages can be tailored to young audiences. It is less than two hours long with a 15-minute intermission.
Dalfonso said the cast is really enjoying preparations.
“As it turns out, we all have been friends for many years. We have a motto that there is nothing that is more enjoyable than singing with friends,” he said.
He said the music and the book “are just so fantastic,” noting that the musical is not easy to sing, involving very close harmonies.
“It’s enjoyable to actually perform, an extremely fun show,” he said.
The cast includes Dalfonso (Man Bird, Lizard, Father Frog), who moved to southern New Jersey from Valparaiso, Ind., in 1994 and jumped right into the local theater and music scene.
When the Gateway’s doors were shuttered in 2006, Dalfonso and an idealistic band of friends formed the Theater Collaborative of South Jersey and commenced coordinating a project that raised $1.3 million to renovate and reopen the theater.
He lives in Mays Landing with his wife, Debby Jenkins, and their dogs Tilly and Addie.
Jenkins (Lady Bird 2, Turtle, Mother Frog, Mole) returns to the stage at the Gateway in her first book show since “Company” (Jenny) in 2019.
Favorite roles include Truvy in “Steel Magnolias,” Sally in “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” Princess Leonide in “Triumph of Love” and Woman 1 in “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.”
Jenkins is fresh off of the success of her cabaret performance, “I Believe in Love,” in front of a sold-out crowd at the Gateway and is working on her next solo show.
Jenkins teaches vocal music at Middle Township High School and will be retiring in December after 25 years.
Greg Dragon (Frog) is an anesthesiologist from Seaville who spends his spare time skiing, biking, swimming and playing keyboard in two local bands. He last performed as the pirate “Alf” in SNSP’s production of “Peter and the Starcatcher.” Dragon was one of original members of the board of directors of the Theater Collaborative and has been part of nearly every SNSP production.
Charles Pettijohn (Toad) will be making his Gateway Playhouse debut. Originally from Vineland, Pettijohn moved to Springfield, Mo., with his family and attended Missouri State University.
Pettijohn has performed in regional theaters in and around Springfield, Kansas City and St. Louis. Favorite roles are Coach Bolton in “High School Musical” and The Baker in “Into the Woods.”
Chelsey Smith (Lady Bird 1, Mouse, Young Frog, Mole) appeared in the SNSP’s production of the musical 10 years ago and is excited to revisit it. She also previously performed on the Gateway stage in “Company” (Amy) and “Little Women” (Beth). Other credits in the Walnut Street Theatre (“Goosebumps the Musical”), Bristol Riverside Theatre (“Ragtime”), Eagle Theatre (“Assassins”).
Karen Sutherland (Snail) moved to New Jersey from New York City, where she performed in several Broadway shows, including the Tony Award-winning productions of the original Broadway shows “Pippin” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”
She worked with Bob Fosse and Barry Williams on “Pippin” and Juliet Prowse on the tour of “Whorehouse.” She toured the U.S. and Canada with both shows and performed in the touring company of “Mame” starring Angela Lansbury.
Regional theater credits include “Cabaret,” “Irene” and “Brigadoon.” TV and film credits include “Ryan’s Hope” and the film “Headin’ for Broadway.”
Sutherland still performs locally with the Shaken Not Stirred Players and has appeared in productions of “Nunsense,” “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” “Urinetown,” “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” “Pirates of Penzance,” “She Loves Me,” “Company” and “A Christmas Carol” at the Gateway Playhouse. She is a member of the board of directors of the Theater Collaborative of South Jersey.
The Gateway Playhouse is located at 738 Bay Ave. Call (609) 653-0553 for more information.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
