Why did A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD flop?

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 9:03am

I think it is a very underrated show and it was fantastic. Now, I do realize that it was a kiddie show and those don't do to well on Broadway unless it's Disney, but this was a great show with a great cast that was extremely overlooked at the Tonys that year.

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 9:11am

It was a kiddie show, as you said.

I personally don't want to pay $100 for a kiddie show, ever. I was duped by Mary Poppins, which turned out to be a kiddie show, for me.

"Family entertainment" is another thing... that means it works for all ages.

Frog & Toad does not work for all ages.

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 9:37am

I agree with best12bars, it was a cute show. But, probably would have done better Off-Broadway.

[sondhead]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 9:54am

Because it is nice or whatever but also kind of boring. Basically anything involving the Frog and Toad make me want to sleep.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 10:31am

***bad joke alert***

I heard it was like roadkill!

****pin drops, echoes****

Updated On: 2/21/07 at 10:31 AM

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 10:38am

I think it flopped because it sucked. Maybe it would have been
more successful on a tour, but I don't think it would have been more successful as an off-Broadway show.

Updated On: 2/21/07 at 10:38 AM

[skingdom]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 11:05am

why do YOU think it flopped?

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 12:01pm

It didn't flop. It hopped.


**worse joke alert

[jasobres]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 1:10pm

If it flopped, then why was it nominated for a Tony?

[Piercemn]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 1:12pm

It should have stayed off-Broadway. It premiered here in Minneapolis at the Children's Theatre Company and was a huge hit. In fact, it was brought back as their holiday show last year. I would love to see this show sometime. I couldn't get tickets at CTC. It sounds delightful.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 1:19pm

If it flopped, then why was it nominated for a Tony?

Oh come on, the history of the Tonys is replete with shows that were total flopperoos but still managed to eke out nominations in slow seasons.

I'm not saying Frog and Toad was totally undeserving, but that's specious logic.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 1:20pm

"If it flopped, then why was it nominated for a Tony?"

They have a rule that if there are enough shows elligible, 4 have to be nominated. It was like Wedding Singer - best of the worst.

It was a VERY slow season - the new musicals included 2 hits - Hairspray and Movin' Out. The rest Amour, Dance of the Vampires, Urban Cowboy, Frog and Toad, and Look of Love. They picked the best of the worst - Amour and Frog and Toad.

It flopped because of the VERY limited market. Adults wouldn't go see it, they have no interest. I remember my mother getting free tickets as promo swag. Producers were sending around free tickets to many elementary schools to drum up support for the show. I don't remember if she ever did go see it, but I know she didn't bring her class.

The would have been slightly better off had they mounted it Off-Broadway, but that's an even riskier market for a children's show. Updated On: 2/21/07 at 01:20 PM

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 1:24pm

Flops don't always equal suck, sometimes they just can't find an audience. Unfortunetly the characters of Frog and Toad aren't as widely known as Mary Poppins or Simba. I mean look at Chitty, it did wonderful in London where it's that countrys Wizard of Oz, it had much less name recognition in the states regardless of what people felt the quality was.

Frog and Toad is, in my opinion, a wonderful little feel good family(yes family. A good production can elevate it past the trappings of childrens theatre)warm musical. I saw it and loved every second of it. For whatever reason it didn't capture and hold it's audience and yeah maybe it would have been better to stay off broadway. Financial Flop,yes. Creative, Artistic Flop, no definitly not.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 1:51pm

I haven't seen Frog and Toad, but I absolutely lOVE the cast recording...the music is so infectious! "Getta Load a-Toad" is one of my favorite musical theatre songs of all time! It's so well written, giving us a fun story, and building the excitement all the way to the end! I did see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and it is probably my second favorite show I've ever seen live, and we saw Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Avenue Q, The Woman in White, and Sweeney Todd also on that trip. It was so much fun, and I must say, it made it better for me to be surrounded by children loving the show! Chitty was definitely fun for the whole family, I bet in a slower season it could have fared better at the tonys!

[Danielm]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:06pm

Does anyone know of any regional or community theater productions of it? It seems like it could be a good regional type show.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:22pm

Rochester Children's Theatre in Rochester NY did an EXCELLENT production of it in 05/06.

Updated On: 2/21/07 at 02:22 PM

[TenThousandThings]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:28pm

I found Frog & Toad to be one of the more enjoyable shows I've seen on Broadway. It was absolutely charming . . . and I loved going into a theatre with no expectations and feeling like a child for an evening. Also, the "Cookies, Cookies" scene made me laugh my a$$ off. I'd see it again in a heartbeat!

[Danielm]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:34pm

Glad to hear it Carl Magnum. I also think some shows fail on Broadway because they are just not a good fit for Broadway--or maybe even New York City.

[Jon]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:40pm

We did the Chicago area premiere two years ago. Broke all box office records at our theatre.


It flopped on Broadway becasue folks won't pay $100 for a little five-person family musical when they can have the big cast/big scenery spectacle of Beauty and the Beast or Lion King for the same price.

[WalkOn]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:52pm

Remember the segment on the Tony's? I almost fell asleep.

Updated On: 2/21/07 at 02:52 PM

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 3:01pm

It was a delightful show that I thoroughly enjoyed (and I didn't attend it with any children). I will agree that the number done on the Tony's was NOT a great choice, as there were more exciting numbers they could have showcased. The show has a fine score and was very well-crafted.

However -- as has been said before, what doomed Frog and Toad was the ticket prices. Not enough people are going to pay $100 per ticket throughout the week to see a family /kid's show -- and especially not on school nights (and Wednesday matinees) when the target audience isn't normally at the theatre.

The show is very successful in limited runs, or in venues that can charge much less for a ticket.

[Jon]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 3:49pm

The Tonys performance made no sense. The show has 10 lively "up-tempo" tunes and two ballads. Why the hell did they choose a ballad for the Tonys? Was Mark Linn-Baker not available?

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 4:01pm

If not off-broadway, it would have been much better suiter in a smaller theatre like the Helen Hayes. It was probally better off, off-broadway

[Craig]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 4:04pm

The show did anything but suck. It was actually very enjoyable. Unfortunately, as it's already been stated - it was a hard show to sell on Broadway.

But the material and performances were, in my opinion, outstanding. As for the TONY's - I have no idea what they were thinking - I would have chosen my favorite # which would have shown off most of the cast "He'll Never Know". Which is extremely infectuous.

The show is perfect for regional productions.. and I'd love to see it on video or tv one day as it would make a great special.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 4:48pm

i sure do love the FROG & TOAD stories.....