A century-old tale with a holiday message of acceptance and forgiveness makes its Cape Ann debut at Gloucester Stage Co. when "The Wind in the Willows" opens tonight.

The classic story of Mr. Toad, Mole, Badger and Ratty comes alive with a cast of 20, of which half are from Cape Ann. The production will unveil the adventures of the woodland creatures with the likes of trains, barges, gypsy caravans and motor cars, as well as the taking back of Toad Hall.

The antics and daring escapades include many friends, such as Albert the Horse, rabbits, squirrels, mice, hedgehogs and not-so-friendly weasels, said Heidi Dallin, a theater spokeswoman. The local theater is producing Alan Bennett's stage adaptation of Englishman Kenneth Grahame's book written in 1908. Eric Engel, the theater's associate artistic director, said the theater wanted to present a show that was nondenominational that everyone could enjoy.

"The great thing about the show is that it is an entertaining piece for children but it also has many layers for people of all ages. It is allegorical," Engel said. "There's a lot of discussion about social classes, diversity and economic disparity. It deals with how the animals are afraid of the unknown and how they deal with materialism and how they grow to embrace each other's differences."

Boston actor Will McGarrahan, who appeared this summer in Gloucester Stage's production of "Happy Days," returns to take on the role of Toad. Shelley Bolman of Boston makes his debut as Mole.

Gloucester's Norman Jones makes his Gloucester Stage acting debut as Badger. Jones, who has taught theater at Gordon College in Wenham for 21 years and directed 35 plays, relishes the opportunity to work on stage. He directed Gloucester Stage's productions of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Babes in Toyland."

This will be the last official show for Israel Horovitz as artistic director of the theater company he founded. Horovitz first saw the show in London more than a decade ago.

"Bennett's adaptation of 'Wind in the Willows' is absolutely brilliant and I knew it would be a perfect holiday show for Gloucester Stage," Horovitz said. "He has created a lovely family show from Grahame's masterwork. Bennett's adaptation is so adept, one would believe it was an original work created for the stage."

Horovitz also noted that Bennett's more recent play, "The History Boys," has proved to be a success around the world. But "The Wind in the Willows" continues to be in demand.

"Kids love Toad (and) the life and friendships among the animals. And adults, if they look closely, might even spot some contemporary politics," Horovitz said. "It's a great story that's lasted and lasted - and for obvious reasons. It's good fun."

Jones, whose character Badger can be formidable but also soft at heart, said the preparation for the show has been a delight. In fact, both he and the parents of the youngest actors said the rehearsals have been a manifestation of the show's theme of community with the older, seasoned actors taking on a mentoring and nurturing role with the children.

"The show has been a successful project even before it opened with the relationships created among the various levels of actors, from students to the professionals," Engel said. "It has met the goal of also providing a teaching experience for the younger members of our community."

The warmth of the working relationships has not escaped the eyes of the parents.

"All of the adults and professional actors treat the kids well and with respect," said Alex "Tucker" Destino Jr., whose 9-year-old daughter Tess is in the show.

Rehearsals have demonstrated the essence of the story in the working together of all the characters.

"For many of the kids, this is their first show and this is an opportunity to get experience, to work together for a common goal," agreed Jones. "We're just having a ball and then you have these cute kids come in and you can't wait to have the audience say 'ahww.'"

In terms of the original tale, the actors are portraying a range of forest animals of all kinds who come together for a common purpose, in part, to overcome evil with good.

"It's the idea that we need to do what's right and love one another and by having that kind of integrity, we can move ahead. But we can't do it alone," Jones said. "When Mole gets in trouble, Rat comes to the rescue and when Rat and Mole are lost, others come to the rescue and so on. In the end, the toad is an altered toad - for the better."

The rat will be played by an actor familiar with Gloucester, Paul Stickney of Saugus, who for years has been part of the Hammond Castle Robin Hood Faires and Castle of the Damned. Of the cast, two adults and eight children are from Cape Ann.

In addition to Destino, the other child actors are Racquel Shaw, Jaqi McCarthy, Misaki Nishimya, Kane Oshiro, Ariel Sargent, Brynn Sibley, all of Gloucester, Emily Keyes of Rockport and New Hampshire's Sadie Rose Zavgren.

Tucker Destino said the challenge for his daughter has been the commitment to rehearse, though she is comfortable in large groups.

"We have a big family and she's very social," Destino said. "She's more of a tomboy than anything and a good student. She's home from school at 3:30, does homework to 6 p.m. and then rehearses all night. It's a huge commitment but she doesn't complain."

The young Destino mirrors other admirable qualities by her own nature. When asked what she wanted as a gift for the holidays, her father said: "She's the kind of kid that if you ask what she wants, she may say I have what I need."

Gloucester High School freshman Racquel Shaw, 14, is also a good student and committed to acting.

"She started out as a 9-year-old in the Gloucester Stage production of 'Little Match Girl,' in which she was a little girl herself, but with big braces, big voice and stage presence. Now years later, she has taken on a bit of a mentoring role," said Dallin, who directs the youth acting workshops.

Her mother, Michele Shaw, watches with pride as her daughter steps up to a larger role.

"She could sit in a theater from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and never complain. She's always been around that type of environment. I've been a dance teacher at Miss Tina's for 26 years," said Shaw, whose aunt is Tina LaFlam, owner of the 45-year-old dance studio. "My daughter has always been in the swing of things since she was a little girl. She's danced almost since she could walk. She's a very determined child with high expectations."

Others at work on the production include Gloucester's Susan Taormina as music director and accompanist. An Elliot Norton Award-winning designer, Eric Levenson returns to design the set. Other cast members include Joe Lanza as Albert the Horse; Jackie Davis of Dorchester in a variety of roles, including Rabbit Robert, Weasel Norman and Motorist Rupert; Rockport's Ian O'Connor, Beverly's Julie Cleveland, Salem's Steve Capriulo, Cambridge's Hannah Barth and Boston's Chris Hageberg.

If you go

* What: The classic tale of "The Wind in the Willows"

* When: Nov. 30 to Dec. 17, with matinees and evening shows

* Where: Gloucester Stage Co., 267 East Main St., Gloucester. Performances are Thursday through Sunday. Ticket prices vary depending on the show. A limited number of discount tickets are available to Cape Ann residents for the Thursday performances; call for guidelines, proof of residency must be presented at the box office. On Sunday, Dec. 10, following the 5 p.m. show, the audience is invited to a free discussion with the actors. For reservations or information, call the box office at 978-281-4433 or visit www.gloucesterstage.org.