Cast list for Spring Musical, Wind in the Willows, released

Following a series of auditions and callbacks, the cast list for Padua’s 37th Spring Musical, Wind in the Willows was released late last week. [scroll down for the full cast list!]

Wind in the Willows is based on the book by the same name by British author Kenneth Grahame with classic characters like Mr. Toad, Mole, Ratty, and Badger. Some Disney fans may remember the old “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride” coaster which was an opening day attraction at Disneyland. The animated film, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, as well as several film and television adaptations have been made based on this classic children’s story, and our particular musical will follow Mr. Toad — to be played in Padua’s production by senior Michael Cain ’25 — and his obsession with motorcars that gets him into trouble. The play will feature friends like Mole (Jacob Zawoyski ’25), Rat (Sophia Kucera ’25) and Badger (Angela Madamba ’26) as they try to help Mr. Toad through all his troubles.

Padua is also teaming up with National Art Honors Society (NAHS) to create an exclusive collection of art featuring the kinds of creatures you’ll find in this show. The NAHS point-of-contact for this collection AND newly named cast member Cole Parla ’25 says the show seems super cutesy.

“It’s very ‘cozy’ I’m a big fan. I’m super excited to see how the costumes will be done! The characters are mainly animals so we’ll see how many animal traits will be incorporated into their designs.”

Sophomore Delaney Hovan ’27 adds that she is ecstatic about the show choice. “It’s such a cute and lively show with amazing costumes. It’s not a very well known show, but…I think having a show that is not as popular is such a way to gain more audience and attention. The cast is truly talented and is definitely going to put their all into this show.”

Padua’s production of Wind in the Willows will open on April 10th in the Padua gym, and rehearsals, crew calls, and costume construction are already underway. If you want to get involved, email Mrs. Tamara Plasterer or Mr. Wozniak (for pit orchestra members) for more information. The full cast list is as follows:

STOAT 2…………………….Isabella Boncek
MR. SQUIRREL B…………………….Casey Boyer
TOAD…………………….Michael Cain
FIELD MOUSE JOSH…………………….Melanie Cesa
SQUIRREL (AUTUMN)…………………….Natalie Dagostino
FIELD MOUSE TAMI…………………….Theresa Driscoll
MRS OTTER…………………….Tasha Dudick
MOM HEDGEHOG…………………….Eliana Eid
LADY RABBIT…………………….Jaden Flowers
FIELD MOUSE BETH…………………….Liz Frank
SWALLOW 1-Sop…………………….Cheyenne Golias
CHIEF WEASEL…………………….Taylor Hallock
BUTLER RABBIT…………………….Kylie Henderson
BOY HEDGEHOG 1…………………….Jack Herrlich
GIRL HEDGEHOG 2…………………….Delaney Hovan
HORSE…………………….Drew Ketvertis
CHERYL STOAT…………………….Rachel Klueber
PORTIA…………………….Riley Kruzer
RAT…………………….Sophia Kucera
BADGER…………………….Angela Madamba
FIELD MOUSE MICHAEL…………………….Zach Mayne
CHIEF MAGISTRATE…………………….Tyler McClelland
RABBIT…………………….Cole Parla
DAD HEDGEHOG…………………….Rob Schillo
STOAT 1…………………….Anna Senior
DAUGHTER…………………….Audrey Szwec
SWALLOW 3…………………….Emma Takacs
KINGFISHER…………………….Annabelle Thiry
SWALLOW 2…………………….Jasmine Thomas
FIELD MOUSE TOMMY…………………….Nick Venere
MOLE…………………….Jacob Zawoyski