Producer Jamie Hendry and Sony Masterworks Broadway announced May 15 that the original London cast recording of the upcoming musical The Wind in the Willows will be released by Sony Masterworks Broadway in mid-June.
The cast of the musical, which features a book by Julian Fellowes, music by George Stiles, and lyrics by Anthony Drewe, headed into the studio earlier this month to record the 20-track album prior to beginning performances this summer.
Wind in the Willows will begin previews June 16 prior to an official opening June 29 at the London Palladium. The album features the original cast, accompanied by a 14-piece band. The cast is led by Rufus Hound as the amazing Mr. Toad with West End stars Simon Lipkin as Rat and Craig Mather as Mole, EastEnders actor Neil McDermott as Chief Weasel, Coronation Street star Denise Welch as Mrs. Otter, and Gary Wilmot as Badger.
The album is produced by Stiles and Drewe and co-produced by Simon Lee. Tris Penna is the executive producer. It is available for pre-order here,
Rounding out the company are Chris Aukett, Joel Baylis, Jenna Boyd, Abigail Brodie, Abigail Climer, Jorell Coiffic-Kamall, Nicole Deon, Emilie du Leslay, Joshua Gannon, James Gant, Evan James, Michael Larcombe, Bethany Linsdell, Ryan Pidgen, Adam Vaughan, Georgie Westall and Natalie Woods. The cast album also features Dylan Mason, Patrick Sullivan, and Karli Vale, who appeared in the show’s pre-London tour.
The musical is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and features choreography by Aletta Collins, set and costume design by Peter McKintosh, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Gareth Owen, wig and makeup design by Linda McKnight, orchestrations by Chris Jahnke and David Shrubsole, and musical supervision by Simon Lee.
Based on Kenneth Grahame's novel, the comedy follows the impulsive Mr. Toad whose insatiable need for speed lands him in serious trouble. With his beloved home under threat from the notorious Chief Weasel and his gang of sinister Wild Wooders, Toad must attempt a daring escape leading to a series of misadventures and a heroic battle to recapture Toad Hall.
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