Theatergoers of all ages will delight in Catawba College's upcoming production of "The Wind in the Willows" which plays in Catawba College's Hedrick Theatre Feb. 9-13.
Alan Bennett's fun adaptation of Kenneth Graham's classic tale and will transport Catawba audiences to a timeless, magical world full of adventure, symbolism, and camaraderie. Come watch as Mole, Rat, Badger, and Mr. Toad travel the open road, the riverside, and the ominous Wild Wood. You will see Toad Hall in peril, the Weasels on a tear, and Toad in another craze. Can the comrades save luxurious Toad Hall?
Directed by Catawba Theatre Arts Chair and Professor Christopher Zink, the production promises to stretch imaginations. Costumes will help blur the boundaries between the human actors and the creatures found in "The Wind in the Willows." Zink explains, "Our production uses costumes that tie the animals from Graham's book to one of Kenneth Graham's fascinations, stuffed animals. The set consists of a large book as the central backing with pages that turn to reveal the locations for each scene.
"The world of the play spills out on to the stage and into the hearts of the audience. The action incorporates elements of English Pantomime with stylized movement to create a fun-filled experience for audiences aged 8 to 80."
Cast members include Ryan Glidewell of Marietta, Ga., as Toad; Jesse Siak of Hendersonville as Rat; Caitlin Becka of Wilmington, as Chief Weasel; Carrie Harris of Asheville as Mole; Meghan McLaughlin of Owings Mills, Md., as Badger; Donna Steele of Charlotte and Yolanda McClure of Eden, as Albert the Horse; and Amber McCleerey of Hendersonville as Weasel Normal. Cast members with multiple roles in the ensemble include Jered Shults of Sevierville, Tenn., as Ferret Gerald, Rabbit Ronald and Mouse Malcom; Vaughn Pollman of Overland Park, Kansas, as Rabbit Robert, Ferret Fred and Mouse Mark; Jeffrey Salerno of Lake Mary, Fla., as Hedgehog Billy, Motorist Rupert, Squirrel Samuel, Mouse and Weasel; Katie Haeuser of Robert, La., as Squirrel Shirley, Gypsy, and Magistrate; Gabrielle Bressi of Villanova, Pa. as Portly, the Barge Woman, and the clerk; Julie Dean of Greenwood, S.C., as rabbit, the Jailor's Daughter and the Fox; John Millbank of Carrboro as Otter, Car Salesman Parkinson, Train Driver and Weasel; and Jaclyn Lawrence of Waxhaw as Hedgehog Roberta, The Washerwoman, Motorist Monica, and a weasel.
Crew members include Zack Lynch of Selbyville, Del., assistant director; C.M. Garrison of Asheville, stage manager; Mackenzie Westbrook of Charlotte and Sydney Berk of Encino, Calif., assistant stage managers; Kaylee Johnson of Charlotte, props master and publicity photographer; Jamie Caputo of Greensboro, lead props; Leah Caddigan of Winterville, Rayshaun Sandlin of Knightdale, and Katie Carpenter of Hickory, props running crew; Danielle Smith of Charlotte, props crew member, set prep crew member and lead hair and makeup; Shana Locklair of Lewes Del., assistant hair and makeup design; Kara Procell of Bel Air, Md. and Kylie Beinke of Apex, second hand (costumes); Tatianna Long of Kodiak, Alaska, lead carpenter and costume construction; Collette Riddle of Roanoke, Va., dresser; Brianna Markle of Charlotte, wardrobe; Caitlin Springs of Santa Clara, Calif., and Jesse Siak of Hendersonville, dramaturge; Michael Stone of Erwin and Bristol Glass, lead electricians; Quinn McRae of Hendersonville, master electrician; Allen Jones of Greensboro, sceneic designer; Cassie Bell of Leonardtown, Md., lead scenic; Ka'Shara Davis of Charlotte, paint crew; and Autumn Hamilton of Atlanta, Ga., sound board operator.
"The Wind in the Willows" plays at 6:55 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9 through Saturday, Feb. 13, with a 1:55 p.m. matinee also offered on Saturday, Feb. 13. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for senior citizens and non-Catawba students, including all children, and a $7 group rate is also available. For more details, contact the Catawba College Theater Box Office at (704) 637-4481. You can also buy your tickets online at www.showtix4u.com.
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