-- The Wind in the Willows, a stage musical by playwright Liz Peterson, continues to earn attention from schools and community theater groups seeking accessible, age-appropriate material. The musical has been performed in 28 U.S. states and three foreign countries, underscoring its relevance and resonance with a wide range of educational and performance environments.
Adapted for flexible casting and varying production scales, The Wind in the Willows has proven especially well-suited for musical productions for middle schools. The script features beloved animal characters, straightforward staging, and a piano/vocal musical accompaniment as well as an accompaniment CD, making it manageable for directors and engaging for performers.
“Directors consistently tell us that this piece meets the needs of their students, their stage, and their schedule,” said a spokesperson. “It offers enough structure to keep productions on track while allowing space for creativity and adaptation.”
One of the script’s defining features is its flexibility. Because every character is an animal, it accommodates all-male or all-female casts and is ideal for school and youth groups working within varying talent pools or casting restrictions. The cast size can range from 10 to 60 or more, and there is a 45-minute concert version available as well as a full-length version. There is even an orchestration available for a high school-level orchestra. The content avoids complex themes, favoring warmth, humor, and strong storytelling.
“The script encourages participation without overcomplicating the process,” a spokesperson added. “Teachers and theater leaders have told me it allows them to focus on their students’ experience instead of production hurdles.”
In addition to The Wind in the Willows, Liz Peterson has developed two other musicals. Grandpa Ben is a historically themed children’s musical centered on Benjamin Franklin as a grandfather. It includes piano/vocal accompaniment and was staged once in Philadelphia by a youth theater group.
The second work, Three Men in a Boat, adapts the classic English novel of the same name into a slapstick musical for older audiences. This piece has been produced twice, both times by the same Philadelphia theater company, and is well-suited for musical productions for community theaters that cater to adult or mixed-age audiences seeking comedic material.
About Us: The Wind in the Willows is a flexible stage musical that has been performed in 28 U.S. states and three foreign countries. Designed for schools, community theaters, and youth groups, the script emphasizes age-appropriate content, adaptable dialogue, and optional musical elements to accommodate a range of cast sizes and production settings.
Contact Info:
Name: Liz Peterson
Email: Send Email
Organization: Wind In the Willows
Address: 1100 Pembridge Drive, Apartment 229 Lake Forest, Illinois, 60045, USA
Phone: 8474012276
Website: https://www.petersonwindinthewillows.com/
Release ID: 89165929
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