On Thursday, August 15th, 2024, Roosevelt Island’s Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance’s Make-a-Musical Summer Program will present The Wind in the Willows. This will be a staged premiere of a new musical by Jonathan Fadner and Kimbirdlee Fadner.
by David Stone, Kimbirdlee Fadner
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Next Up at MSTDA: The Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows is based on the classic novel by Kenneth Grahame. It takes place in a mythical countryside where humanity and animals connect. There will be four performances on Aug 15, 16 and 17 at 7pm and Aug 18 at 3pm.
The show takes place in the Howe Theatre at 548 Main St on Roosevelt Island. Tickets can be found at MSTDA’s website. They can also be purchased at the Box Office 30 minutes before the start of the show each day.
MSTDA’s Make-a-Musical program is dedicated to creating and producing new theatrical works in New York City.
The Wind in the Willows joins an impressive list of musicals launched by the Fadner team. This list includes full-length musicals. Examples are The Monkey King, a Kung Fu Musical, The Ghosts All Around You, Book About Life. Additionally, there are many one-act musicals co-created with the Make-a-Musical kids!
“The original production of Wind in the Willows was cut short and made virtual by Covid 19 back in 2020. This show is all about community and sticking together to see each other through tough times.
“Perseverance in the face of obstacles, and protecting the people and the community that you call home. MSTDA has been that for me for the last 9 years. Working on Wind in The Willows has brought back all the memories of sticking together. It reminded me of hunkering down with our theater community in the midst of a lockdown.
“I am so honored to have these young actors putting life into this story and so thankful for their efforts! I’m so grateful to be part of a community that helps me tell these stories.” – Jonathan Fadner (Writer/Composer/Director)
See a Live Preview at the Roosevelt Island Public Library
Jonathan Fadner also builds the set and props for The Wind in the Willows. He arranges and records musical demos with his wife Kimbirdlee. He works with his own two children, Jack and Charlie. He also collaborates with a cast of 14 talented young actors to bring this heartwarming musical to life.
Fadner works alongside a creative team. It includes long-time MSTDA staff Jeanne Castagnaro (Costume Designer), Zackry Childers (Lighting Designer), and Kimbirdlee Fadner (Music Consultant). The team also includes Tanya Starace (Set Designer and Board Secretary) and Isaiah Reynolds (Choreographer).
The team is excited to welcome Louise Wang. She is a talented and dedicated teen intern who performed with the Children’s and Teen Theatre for many years. This is her debut as Production Stage Manager. The team is rounded out by Ben Hill as Assistant Director. Another bright and promising young intern, Micah Silverman, serves as Costume Assistant.
Cast in alphabetical order:
- Naya Bendel Charlemagne Fadner Jack Fadner
- Boden Lenzi
- Ziyu Li
- Alyse MacGonagle
- Eoin MacGonagle
- Abigail McQuillan
- Kashi Rathod
- Lucy Russell
- Micah Silverman
- Katana Stoops
- Taiko Stoops
- Mila Zhang
*This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and Roosevelt island Operating Corporation Public Purpose Funds Grant.”
AVAC: Where the Pipe Curves
This is the final installment in my notes from the December 2nd, Operations Advisory Committee meeting, following “An Emergency, Apparently” and “Rust Is Funny Until It Isn’t”.
