Honk! (Theatre for Young Audiences ) Musical
Music by George Stiles; Lyrics & Book by Anthony Drewe
Rated G
March 14, 15, & 16 | March 21, 22, & 23, 2024
7 men, 9 women, 2 girls, 2 boys, plus ensemble
Directed by Karen Crispin
Ugly looks a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters. The other animals on the farm are quick to notice and point this out, despite his mother’s protective flapping. Feeling rather foul about himself, the little fowl finds himself on an adventure of self-discovery, unknowingly outwitting a very hungry Cat. Along the way, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and discovers that being different is not a bad thing to be.
Honk! cast of characters
Ugly
Ugly is the main character in Honk!. He is innocent, easily confused, and very impressionable. He will begin the show in a drab costume but as his insecurities melt away his character changes from a gullible duckling to a wise swan, filled with self-esteem.
Ida
Ida is Ugly’s mom. Ida is extremely protective of her son and committed to his safety. She is sweet but feisty, and she knows how to handle her husband, Drake. After Ugly is lured away from the barnyard by the Cat, Ida is determined to find him. Ida and Ugly’s relationship is the key ingredient of the show. She is on who teaches him that it is OK to be
Drake
Drake is Ida’s husband. Drake is a sarcastic character. He is the stereotypical sitcom father – often shrinking from his parental duties. Drake finds Ugly quite repulsive and isn’t afraid to say it to anyone, including his wife.
Ducklings
Ugly’s siblings –cute little kid types. They are the “popular” ones in the duck yard who enjoy making Ugly feel left out.
Maureen
Maureen is a moorhen and Ida’s best friend. (a moorhen is a hen that lives near the water) Maureen genuinely loves Ida, but she can’t resist a bit of good gossip. To the little ducklings
Cat
The Cat is the sly, cunning villain of the show. All of the other animals are deathly afraid of him. He is manipulative, cunning, witty and above all HUNGRY. The Cat pretends to be Ugly’s friend so that he can eat him.
Greylag
Greylag is a somewhat pompous goose. A washed-up British military type, Greylag tends to over glorify his mundane activities to the level of the military operation status. Only his wife, Dot, truly knows how to handle him.
Dot
Dot is Greylag’s wife. A motherly type, she is genuinely concerned with helping Ugly find his mother. Dot doesn’t think that Greylag is an entirely capable leader, but she kindly humors his “over the top” actions.
Barnacles, Snowy, Pinkfoot
Some of the geese in the Greylag’s “squad.”
The Bullfrog
The Bullfrog is a laid-back, self-confident frog with whom Ugly comes into contact in the second half of the show. The frog cheers Ugly up with his/her song, “Warts and All.”
Penny
Penny is a young, beautiful swan. Ugly saves Penny from a tangled fishing net. She is able to see beyond his looks, and she loves him for who he is.
Swan Family
Father Swan, Mother Swan, and Bewick are Penny’s family. They help console Ida when she thinks her son has died and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate.
Grace
Grace is “the most distinguished duck on the lake.” Very aristocratic, she is considered the queen of the duck yard. All of the other animals look up to Grace and respect her. She of course is quite aware of this and is therefore a little bit haughty.
The Turkey
The Turkey is the headmaster of the ducklings’ school. The Turkey is a bit snobbish and joins in the fun of teasing Ugly. There is of course one word that sends shivers down his spine – and that is THANKSGIVING.
Henrietta
Henrietta is a hen who is another of Maureen’s friends. Henrietta and Maureen gossip about the goings on in the duck yard. She takes great pleasure in making fun of Ugly.
Jay Bird/ Maggie Pie (Name will depend on if this role is a girl or boy)
Maggie Pie is an investigative reporter. A very “in your face” bird, all she cares about is getting a good story. She is the typical TV news personality who one of would find on a reality TV show like “America’s Most Wanted.” She reports a story about Ugly’s disappearance.
Farmer Family, Farmer, Boy, and Girl
Ensemble
