The Academy of the Arts On Stage series at the AV抖阴
will continue in April with the Academy Kidz production of 鈥淎 Year with Frog and Toad
KIDS,鈥� which will be performed at 2 p.m. April 26 at The Blue Lion at AV抖阴 Downtown.
The whimsical show follows two friends -- the cheerful and popular Frog and the grumpy Toad -- through the four seasons of the year. The story celebrates the friendship of the two as they face the challenges of life and come to accept each other鈥檚 differences.
Director Shannon Stoddard of Fort Smith said the children found the play relatable.
鈥淭he story is really sweet. Frog and Toad are best friends and would do anything for each other. The kids really relate to the story because they all have their own best friends who they do fun things with too,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he two best friends celebrate the differences that make them unique and special. This is the perfect story of a friendship that endures throughout the seasons.鈥�
Stoddard added that she is excited by how fast the cast has learned the material.
鈥淚鈥檝e been very impressed by how quickly the kids are picking up the show,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is our fourth production with this age group, and I鈥檝e watched as these students become better readers, quicker at learning dances and singing the music and just better actors in general.鈥�
Brenden Chick, a second-grader who plays Toad in the production, said he loves being part of the play.
鈥淚 really like being Toad because I get to wear a bathing suit,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 really like the song 鈥楬e鈥檒l Never Know.鈥� I could sing and dance that a million times.鈥�
Dawson Calvillo, who plays Frog, said he sees himself in the title character he will portray.
鈥淔rog is kind and can be a good friend, and I am kind of like that too,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I like being Frog.鈥�
Academy Executive Director Dr. Rosilee Walker Russell of Fort Smith said plays like 鈥淔rog and Toad鈥� allow children to 鈥渂lossom.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e so pleased to be able to provide a children鈥檚 theatre company for such young children because we believe in getting children started very early in theatre,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t helps them to grow, both as artists and as people.鈥�
The cast includes:
Alma: Dawson Calvillo, Kennedie Cox.
Barling: Vaughan Popp.
Fort Smith: Adelaide Coleman, Evan Law, Sebastian Stoltz, Jasmine Washington.
Greenwood: Brenden Chick, Ryder Mack, Lenah Wheatley.
Pocola, Okla.: Elliott Alexander.
The On Stage series includes other productions such as 鈥淎nnie Get Your Gun,鈥� 鈥淭he Little Mermaid JR鈥� and 鈥淪hrek the Musical.鈥� The On Stage series has a total of 12 events featuring young and seasoned performers in musical and theatrical productions.
The Blue Lion at AV抖阴 Downtown, 101 N. 2nd Street, was temporarily called AV抖阴 at Second Street after AV抖阴 acquired the building last year. It officially became the Blue Lion in November and is a performance venue for various AV抖阴 events.
Admission is by an On Stage series ticket or $6 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. For tickets, contact the AV抖阴 Box Office at 479-788-7300 or visit . For more information on the Academy, call 479-788-7253.