Loose Leaf Notes

~ The following was previously published in The Floyd Press.

The Wind in the Willows, the latest Young Actors Co-op (YAC) production, played to sold-out crowds with a November 26^th Saturday matinee and evening performances Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at the Sun Music Hall.

The play was YAC’s first auditioned production and featured veteran YAC actors, two of whom have been with the community theater troupe since its inception in 2005, said YAC founder/director Rose McCutchan.

Written by Kenneth Grahame in 1908 as bedtime stories to his son, The Wind in the Willows is a classic story that focuses on the adventures of four main animal characters that possess human qualities.   Level-headed Rat, who spends his time boating and reading books, is played by 15 year old Marsden Woddail.  Rat befriends Mole, played by 17 year old Coriander Woodruff, who goes through a transformation from meek to confident.

Rat and Mole join forces with a sternly wise Badger, played commandingly by 16 year old Bethlehem Cherrix. Together the trio helps their boastful friend Toad, whose latest fascination with motor cars (which he ultimately crashes) has landed him in jail. Ian Gammarino gives a memorable performance as toad with dramatic antics and physical comedy that frequently draws laughter from children and adults in the audience.  

With set designs that depict the English countryside on the banks of a river, the play runs about 90 minutes and has as many as 20 set changes, including one for a combat scene between the four friends and a gang of weasels and ferrets, led by the Chief Weasel, who is played by Floyd County High School senior William Yearout.  The combat scene was practiced in YAC rehearsals under the direction of Paul Rycik, an experienced stage combat teacher.

The play also includes two dance scenes, including one with Rat and Mole that takes place after the characters were drawn into the woods by an enchanting tune.  Rat and Mole have a fleeting visitation with an antlered being, representing Pan.  The alluring music, which returns later in the play, was composed by Woodruff and Woddail and gives a mystical underpinning that enriches the story.   Local dancers, Leia Jones and Reida Brown, helped with the dance choreography during play practice.

The set designs, lighting (including one lightening storm), the English accented deliveries, make-up and detailed costumes added to the entertainment.  Moveable set panels were made by McCuthan’s husband Haden Polseno-Hensley and painted by YAC parents.  Toad’s motorcar was built by YAC parent Patricia Woodruff out of a salvaged filing cabinet and two ironing boards.   Furs were borrowed from Charlotte Atkin’s vintage clothing collection.  Animal and human costumes were made by YAC parents Dr. Sue Osborn and Heather Spangler.

Parent and community involvement is an integral part of the success of YAC, which produces one or more theater productions per year and is funded by program ads, ticket sales, and private donors.  The Wind in the Willows program, listing the bios of actors, stage hands and lighting apprentice, thanked local sponsors, the actors (who practiced for months) and YAC parents for their supportive efforts.  “YAC would not exist without them,” McCutchan’s letter from the director read.     Colleen Redman

Note: A movie trailer for Wind in the Willows, created by Pat Woodruff, can be viewed HERE.  Search “YAC Wind in the Willows” at youtube.com for video clips of the play, like THIS one.