Originally published July 18, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified July 21, 2008 at 10:12 AM
"Wind in the Willows" brought to life in Volunteer Park
"The Wind in the Willows" hits the stage with Toad, Rat and Badger in a charming outdoor staging by Theater Schmeater at Seattle's Volunteer Park through Aug. 10.
Special to The Seattle Times
"The Wind in the Willows"
By Kenneth Grahame, adapted by J.D. Lloyd, presented by Theater Schmeater, at 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 10, amphitheater at Volunteer Park, 1247 15th Ave. E., Seattle; free (information, 206-324-5801 or www.schmeater.org).Theater Review |
Theater Schmeater's outdoor summer production "The Wind in the Willows" — adapted from British author Kenneth Grahame's classic children's novel — is breezy and lighthearted, kind of wordy, short on drama and long on charm.
The show fits into a summer's afternoon like ducks quacking on a pond.
In fact, that's how it begins — with a Mole (Tadd Alexander) and a Water Rat (Josh Hartvigson) boating on a river with a trio of ducks. This is the only moment of peace Mole and Rat will have for a while because they are soon to visit Rat's friend Toad. Toad (the gleefully manic Aaron Allshouse) is big and brash. Toad is a motormouth. Toad is rich, foolish and heavy into conspicuous consumption.
When Toad falls in love with the sight of an automobile, he decides he must have one, and then another and another. (Toad is a very poor driver.)
What's a good friend to do?
Toad's comic misadventures in driving finally get him thrown into jail and, while he is incarcerated, his grand home Toad Hall is taken over by a gang of weasels. It takes Rat's loyalty, Mole's plucky enthusiasm and a daring master plan from a gruff, no-nonsense Badger (Doug Staley) to win back the day.
Director J.D. Lloyd (who also adapted the story) gets spirited performances out of all four of his principal actors. An added bonus from a surprising fifth performer — a very spiffy, chain-driven motorcar — steals the show every time it makes an entrance.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Picnics in the Pacific Northwest happen rain or shine
Wine Adviser: Rosés enjoy a boom in quality as well as quantity
Plant Life: Chic raised beds help make growing veggies easy
Northwest Living: One small plot serves as home, shop and town stopping spot

2009 fireworks time lapse
With strict parking rules enforced at this year's July 4th celebration on Wallingford Ave North, less cars and more spectators filled the streets.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Shooting unveils very different sides of McNair
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
- Quincy Jones remembers "the biggest entertainer on the planet": Michael Jackson
- Confessions of an Idol Addict | "American Idols" on tour: Live coverage from opening date
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/05 game thread
247 - Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
172 - Hatred for the NBA runs deep, but don't take it out on the players
137 - Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
125 - Former NFL MVP McNair killed
112 - Property taxes: Appeals shoot up is King, Snohomish Counties
103 - Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
100 - Anti-tax rally in Olympia attracts about 1,500
68 - Seeking your questions
53 - Mariners did their part, now they need help
46
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
- The People's Pharmacy | Estrogen mimicker found in sunscreen
- Toyota's Toyoda scolds execs for emulating U.S. car companies' mistakes
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
- Outdoor-theater season kicks off at Volunteer Park
- Seattle safety project: A snake shelter on Beacon Hill




