The Wind in the Willows

Had Gilbert and Sullivan adapted Grahame's classic book for the stage it would have looked—and sounded—a lot like this bubbling confection of a musical. Little Mole tries to tend to his cleaning, but it is spring, the wind is sighing in the willows and the Piper at the Gates of Dawn calls him to dance! Embracing the reawakening world, Mole is introduced to the delights of life along the river by his new friend, Rat. Together, they trot off to Toad Hall to visit Mr. Toad—"Toady, if you please!" But, just as they are about to embark in a canary-yellow gypsy wagon to see the wide world, an unfortunate collision with an automobile has Toady off on yet another dangerous craze, careening down the byways in motorcar after motorcar, disrupting the peace in joyful delight. Young Mole and Rat venture into the Wild Wood to enlist the help of wise old Badger, but despite all of their best efforts to save him from himself, Mr. Toad is condemned to prison, and Toad Hall is taken over by weasels. One clever jailbreak and a daring midnight raid later, and the world is once again set aright. "It's Toad's great day," sings Mole. "No. it's Mole's great day," says Ratty, "and what a fine fellow you've turned out to be." "[The] libretto and music are a mix of [original] work and the light-opera larks of Arthur S. Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert. [Their] sparkling melodies … along with original compositions and words for this version, add just the right lyrical flourishes. … Nashville Children's Theatre has once again shown it's the jewel in Nashville's theatre crown." (ArtsNash.com)