Wind in the Willows @ Cleveland Play House Children’s Theatre 2/17 A treat for kids—of all ages—is currently available at the Cleveland Play House, through March 12. Selected episodes of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows have been deftly adapted for presentation by local playwright Eric Schmiedl. All your favorite characters—Badger, Water Rat and Mole—are there, helping Toad get over his addiction to cars, which has landed him in jail. They also help him re-claim his beloved Toad Hall from a batch of squatter weasels who’ve moved in while he was away.

To be sure, Toad in the person of Kevin Joseph Kelly has brought all his troubles on himself, but the boy can’t seem to help it! In his greenish suit, brown derby hat, gloves and spats, he’s the very essence of elegance. Mole, gently brought to life by Alicia Kahn, is in addition to being slightly dazzled by the sunlight, a delightfully pigeon-toed creature. Water Rat isn’t at all a scary fellow, especially at the hands of Noah Varness, who lends a certain dignity to the part.

Just when it seems all is lost, Water Rat seeks help from the older and wiser Badger. Everett Dodrill, with his halo of white curls and long shaggy tail carefully explains to his crew just how they’ll manage to rid Toad Hall of the weasels. And sure enough, they do! In a variety of smaller roles, Emily Pucell and E.B. Smith display versatility and fortitude.

Director Seth Gordon keeps the story moving briskly, using scene changes to move the action along. The set design by Jill Davis is cleverly enhanced by a large painting along the rear wall of the black box arrangement in Studio One that occasionally doubles as a scrim, allowing for multitudes of weasels to appear here there and everywhere. They even hang from the rafters! Lighting is by Maureen Patterson, Sound by James C. Swonger. The costumes of Carolyn Dickey are entirely effective in creating each animal’s appearance.

The Wind in the Willows (suitable for any age) continues in the Studio One Theatre, at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Sunday, March 12. $15. Visit the web-site at: http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com or call the ticket office at (216) 795-7000. Group rates are available; call (216) 795-7000, ext. 149.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz hidden-email:negfjevgre@nqrycuvn.arg? (:divend:)