THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Plays Imagination Stage June 22- August 14

The Wind in the Willows, the 1908 classic by Kenneth Grahame about one overly impulsive Mr. Toad and his passion for the newly invented motor car, is a veritable "COPS" for the younger set. The story includes reckless driving, police chases, prison breaks, squatters, and even a little cross-dressing. Not only is it an excellent action-adventure for the summer months, but The Wind in the Willows also shares many lessons about friendship.

The Wind in the Willows runs in Imagination Stage's Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Theatre June 22 through August 14. Appropriate for ages 4 and up, tickets are $10 to $22, and may be purchased online at www.imaginationstage.org, at the Imagination Stage box office, or via phone at 301-280-1660. Group rates are available.

Imagination Stage's musical production of The Wind in the Willows is faithful to the classic novel and features such beloved characters as Mr. Toad, Mole Ratty, and Mr. Badger. It is early in the 20th century and Mr. Toad falls hard for the charms of the motor car. When his dangerous driving puts him on a road to disaster, his friends must save Toad from himself.

Artistic Director for Imagination Stage, and director of the production, Janet Stanford says of the story, "Grahame belonged to a group of late 19th century British writers who deplored industrialization, the rise of the middle class, the loss of the time-honored ways of gentry, the unspoilEd English countryside, and what he saw as proper values of the past. We now see his story through our modern lens: the tide of modernism that Grahame so wished to hold back engulfed the 20th century and the dreaded motor car now clogs up cities and highways across England and the world. The glory days that Grahame cherished are probably no longer a realistic wish for the future. However, his story's timeless values of loyalty and friendship remain."

Sasha Olinick, who is finishing his run as Mozart in Roundhouse's Amadeus, plays the raffish Toad. Olinick previously performed at Imagination Stage in Jungle Book and Junebug and the Reverend. Additional local credits include The Talented Mr. Ripley, Around the World in 80 Days (Round House Theatre); Chasing George Washington (Kennedy Center Theater For Young Audiences); God's Ear (Rep Stage); and Macbeth (Washington Shakespeare Company). He has an MFA in acting from Trinity Rep Conservatory and teaches at Montgomery College, the National Conservatory of Dramatic Art, and with the Educational Theatre Company.

Toad's closest friends are played by Doug Wilder (Badger), who most recently appeared as in Imagination Stage's The Dancing Princesses last season; Christopher Wilson (Mole), an Imagination Stage regular, having appeared most recently in Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! and The Dancing Princesses; and Vaughn Irving (Rat), last seen by Imagination Stage audiences in Disney's Mulan.

Toad's antagonists, the weasels who take over his home while he's serving time, are played by Matthew Schleigh (Chief Weasel), who recently finished playing the Prince in Cinderella at Toby's Dinner Theatre and was last at Imagination Stage for Perseus Bayou, and Phillip Reid (Weasel) who joined Imagination Stage last summer for the Pirate repertory.

Rounding out the cast are Tia Shearer (Barge Woman), recently seen in the national tour of Knuffle Bunny (Kennedy Center TYA), and Maya Jackson (Ensemble), who has worked regionally at Arena Stage, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, among others.

In addition to Director Janet Stanford, the creative team for The Wind in the Willows includes Assistant Director Sasha Bratt; Music Director Darius Smith; Choreographer Krissie Marty; Scenic Designer Ethan Sinnott; Lighting Designer Andrew F. Griffin; Costume Designer Katie Touart; Sound Designer Christopher Baine; and Stage Manager Kristen Bishel Kelso.

The Wind in the Willows is the final show in Imagination Stage's 2010-2011 season. The next season begins in September: Aladdin's Luck (Sept. 23-Oct.30), Dr. Dolittle (Nov. 22-Jan. 8), P.Nokio (Feb. 1-March 11), Rapunzel (Apr. 4-May 20), and The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe (June 20-Aug. 12). Subscriptions are now available at 301-280-1660 or www.imaginationstage.org.

The Wind in the Willows
Based on the book by Kenneth Grahame; Adapted by Richard Hellesen; Music and lyrics by Michael Silversher; Directed by Janet Stanford
June 22 - August 14, 2011 (Opening Night: June 25 at 7:00 pm)
Show Schedule:
· Tuesdays-Fridays at 10:30 am
· Additional Weekday 1:30 pm matinees on 7/13, 7/20, 7/27 and 8/3
· Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm
· Additional 11 am performances on 7/2 and 7/9
· Special Friday night 7 pm performance on 7/8
Tickets: $10 - $22
For ages 4 and up
Special Opportunities:
· $10 previews June 22-23
· ASL interpreted performance: 7/17 at 4:00 pm
· Meet the cast after every weekend matinee

Imagination Stage
Located At: 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD
Parking: Metered parking in the adjacent public parking garage; parking is FREE on weekends
Metro: Red Line / Bethesda Station
For Information: 301-280-1660 or www.imaginationstage.org