Peter Brosius is not going quietly.

Peter Brosius (Courtesy of Dan Norman)

While some bosses spend their final months on a job easing into retirement and smoothing their successor’s path, Brosius is directing up a storm during the last of his 27 seasons as artistic director of Minneapolis’ Children’s Theatre Company.

He’s helmed all of the company’s large-scale, technically demanding mainstage productions this season, overseeing “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Alice in Wonderland” and, now – for his farewell staging – a revival of one of his company’s highest-visibility achievements, “A Year With Frog and Toad.”

A musical adaptation of stories gleaned from Arnold Lobel’s series of children’s books, it premiered at CTC in 2002 before heading off to Broadway and three Tony nominations. It didn’t win any of those, but drew enough overdue attention to the company that it received the special Tony awarded to an American regional theater each year.

And it says something about the impeccably professional, well-oiled machine that Brosius has helped create at CTC that – even when one of the lead actors quit the show two days before opening – its production of “A Year With Frog and Toad” is nevertheless a slickly produced and tremendously enjoyable piece of theater. Boasting a delightful design scheme and five richly human portrayals of multiple anthropomorphized animals, it’s a sweet celebration of friendship with lovely lessons for even the youngest of audience members.

Jay Goede, left, as Frog, and Reed Sigmund, as Toad, in the Children’s Theatre Company’s production of “A Year with Frog and Toad.” Goede ended up quitting two days before opening. (Glen Stubbe / Children’s Theatre Company)

Now, perhaps you’re saying: Back up. One of the leads quit two days before opening? Yes, Jay Goede was slated to revive the role of the wise and patient Frog that he created in the original 2002 production. But differences with director Brosius evidently inspired him to take the very unprofessional (and probably career-damaging) step of walking out on his collaborators after preview performances had begun.

But kudos to understudy John-Michael Zuerlein, whose Frog exudes a kindness and patience ideal for the part. Acting as something of a straight man for Reed Sigmund’s more irascible and impulsive Toad, Zuerlein bears a warm, comforting air reminiscent of two classic characters from PBS kids programming, Mr. Rogers and Bob McGrath’s amiable music teacher on vintage “Sesame Street.”

Zuerlein brings the ideal calming element to this collection of vignettes about a devoted friendship between a compulsive worrier and his more even-keeled companion. As the title suggests, we follow the pair through a year around the pond, starting as they awaken from hibernation and progressing through adventures involving flower planting, swimming, cookie baking, kite flying, leaf raking, sledding and celebrating Christmas.

Jay Goede, from left, as Frog, Becca Claire Hart, Reed Sigmund as Toad, Ryan London Levin and Janely Rodriguez in the Children’s Theatre Company’s production of “A Year with Frog and Toad.” Frog is now being played by John-Michael Zuerlein.  (Glen Stubbe / Children’s Theatre Company)

While there’s plenty of physical comedy to get the young ones laughing, their adults will likely enjoy the wit in Willie Reale’s script and lyrics. His brother, Robert Reale, is the composer, and his best work is found in such heartfelt ballads as “Seeds” – in which Sigmund serenades his flower bed – and Zuerlein’s lovely take on “Alone,” which advocates for the advantages of taking a periodic pause to cultivate your gratitude.

Becca Claire Hart, Ryan London Levin and Janely Rodriguez all deserve praise for bringing such individuality to their collection of birds, snails and squirrels. And the show boasts a host of imaginative design ideas in the sets of Adrianne Lobel (the original author’s daughter), Martin Pakledinaz’s costumes and Daniel Pelzig’s choreography. They help bring Brosius’ CTC tenure to a heartwarming conclusion.

‘A Year With Frog and Toad’

When: Through June 16
Where: Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.
Tickets: $87-$15, available at 612-874-0400 or childrenstheatre.org
Capsule: A sweet send-off for longtime CTC artistic director Peter Brosius.

Rob Hubbard can be reached at wordhub@yahoo.com.

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