SU Theatre Presents 'Honk!' April 19-29

SALISBURY, MD---He may be an ugly duckling, but he sure has a beautiful voice!

Salisbury University’s Bobbi Biron Theatre program presents Honk!, Anthony Drewe and George Stiles’ musical retelling of the ugly duckling story, Thursday-Sunday, April 19-22 and 26-29, in the Black Box Theatre of Fulton Hall. Curtain is 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.

“Honk! was chosen because of its universal appeal to both children and adults,” said director Steven Drapalski. “Obviously, everyone knows the story of the ugly duckling, and the fact that this wonderful story is intertwined with music lends itself to a night of family fare.”

The play follows the misadventures of Ugly as he is lured time after time into the clutches of the nefarious Cat. As Ugly’s mother, Ida, calls on members of her home pond to mount a search, Ugly discovers that true beauty is indeed on the inside.

“In terms of the acting process, Honk! was chosen to give many of the actors the challenge to play two or three different roles in the course of a two-hour period,” Drapalski said. “One minute you could be a military goose and the next a country-bumpkin duck. The actors have had to learn how to switch each of these characters on and off sometimes every other scene.”

“Honk! is full of chirpy and cheery music and plenty of ‘foul jokes’ to make the audience happy,” says Talkin’ Broadway. “This is a lovely musical for parents and children. It's a perfect mix for persons of all ages.” Playbill calls the play “a definite must see.”

The SU production features Brandan Pippens as Ugly; Kelly Reiter as Cat; Meghan Morris as Ida; Brian Kuhn as Drake and Greylag; Zack Coffman as Turkey, Barnacles, Old Woman and Father Swan; Carly Ball as Henrietta, Pinkfoot, Maggie Pie and Penny; Becky Norris as Maureen and Snowy; Rachel Barrett as Grace and Dot; Stephanie Dargan as Lowbutt and Mother Swan; Alyssa Mulins as Queenie and Bullfrog; Jennifer Webster as Fluff; Jen Pawenski as Beaky; Mariah Barnes as Bailey; Alison Teuber as Downy; and Shanice Love Jones and Alex Wilkins as the Bullfrog Chorus.

Dr. William Folger, director of choral activities at SU, is music director. Erica Jablecki choreographs the production, and Sunny Kim provides piano accompaniment.

Costume designer is Courtney Taylor. Set designer and master carpenter is Christopher Colangelo. Heather Hall is scenic designer, and Derek Lingle is props designer. Justin Serenyi is lighting designer and Brandon Roe sound designer. Kevin Sterling is poster designer. Emily Jablonski stage manages. Assistant stage manager is Jen Pawenski.

Admission is $10, $8 for seniors and non-SU students, $6 for children 12 and under. For reservations call the SU Box Office at 410-543-6228.

For more information call 410-543-6229 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.