A 2023 Summer Production
June 12th - July 2nd, 2023
Performances
Friday June 30th 6:00pm
Saturday July 1st 1:00pm & 6:00pm
Sunday July 2nd 1:00pm
Location
London Nelson Center Park
301 Center Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Tickets
Suggested donation based ticket system - pay at the "gate"
- Adults $18.00
- Students & Seniors $14.00
- Children under 6 years FREE
Synopsis
Adapted for young performers, and with a score by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (Mary Poppins), Honk! JR. is a heartwarming celebration of being different that is sure to delight audiences of all ages with its sparkling wit, unique charm and memorable score. Witty and hilarious, but also deeply moving, Honk! JR. will treat your audiences to equal amounts of laughter and tears.
Ugly looks quite 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, all the while unknowingly outwitting a very hungry Cat. Along the way, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out being different is not a bad thing to be.
Casting
- Ducklings
Beaky, Fluff, Billy, Downy are Ugly's siblings - cute little kid types. They are among the "popular" ones in the duck yard who enjoy making Ugly feel left out. They sing as a group.
- Ugly
The ugly ducking and the main character of HONK! JR. Innocent, easily confused and very impressionable, Ugly doesn't understand why it is wrong being different. However, his insecurities melt away as his character gradually changes from a gullible duckling to a wise swan, filled with self-esteem. He is the heart and soul of the show. He must be a strong singer and good actor.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: D4
- Ida
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 a key ingredient of the show. She is the one who teaches him that it is OK to be different. Ida sings several solos, and therefore she should have a strong soprano singing voice.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: F4
- Drake
Ida's husband. Drake is a sarcastic character. He is the stereotypical sitcom father - often shirking his parental duties. Drake finds Ugly quite repulsive and isn't afraid to say it to anyone, including his wife. He should have good comic timing and a strong singing voice. Drake opens the show singing "A Poultry Tale."
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3
- Maureen
A moorhen and Ida's best friend. (Originally found on the moors, 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, she is the typical annoying and overly affectionate "aunt." Maureen sings "The Joy of Motherhood" with Ida, so she should also be a strong singer.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: G#4
- The Cat
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 he can eat him. The actor playing this role (which could be played by a male or a female) should bring a sense of fun to the character and have a good sense of comic timing. He sings a few songs, but his character allows for many of the lyrics to be "talk-sung." Improv skills are a plus.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: A3
- Greylag
A somewhat pompous goose and washed-up British military type, Greylag tends to over glorify his mundane activities (i.e. migrating South) to the level of military operation status. Only his wife, Dot, truly knows how to handle him. He sings a solo in "Wild Goose Chase."
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A4
- Dot
A motherly type, she is genuinely concerned with helping Ugly find his mother. Dot doesn't think that Greylag, her husband, is an entirely capable leader, but she kindly humors his "over the top" actions. She sings solo as well as with Greylag in "Wild Goose Chase." Good singer.
Gender: Female
- Barnacles
The geese in Greylag's "squad." They join in singing "Wild Goose Chase." Good singers. Gender: Any
- Snowy
The geese in Greylag's "squad." They join in singing "Wild Goose Chase." Good singers. Gender: Any
- Pinkfoot
The geese in Greylag's "squad." They join in singing "Wild Goose Chase." Good singers. Gender: Any
- The Bullfrog
A laidback, 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." Optimistic and funny, he/she is a stand up comedian type of character will suited to someone with good improvisational sills and comic timing. This role can be played by a male or female.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3
- Penny
The young, beautiful swan that Ugly saves from a tangled fishing net. She is able to see beyond Ugly's looks and she loves him for who he is. She does not sing solo.
Gender: Female
- Father Swan
Penny's family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has dies, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate. They do not sing solos. Gender: Male
- Mother Swan
Penny's family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has dies, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate. They do not sing solos. Gender: Female
- Berwick
Penny's family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has dies, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate. They do not sing solos. Gender: Any
- Grace
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.
Gender: Female
- The Turkey
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 send shivers down his spine - THANKSGIVING! The Turkey does not sing solo. Gender: Male
- Henrietta
A hen and 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. Henrietta does not sing solo. Gender: Female
- Jay Bird
An investigative reporter. A very "in your face" bird, all she/he cares about is getting a good story. She/He is the typical TV news personality who one would find on a reality TV show like "America's Most Wanted." She/He reports a story about Ugly's disappearance. Note: If this character is played by a female, the name can be changed to "Maggie Pie." Gender: Any
- The Farmer
The only humans in the show. They are never seen by the audience, only their voices are heard. These voices may be pre-recorded or said live from backstage during the show. Gender: Any
- Boy
The only humans in the show. They are never seen by the audience, only their voices are heard. These voices may be pre-recorded or said live from backstage during the show. Gender: Male
- Girl
The only humans in the show. They are never seen by the audience, only their voices are heard. These voices may be pre-recorded or said live from backstage during the show. Gender: Female
- Ensemble
The remaining actors in the company play a number of different roles. Throughout the action of the play they take on roles as barn yard animals, geese, children at play, froglets, and part of the Blizzard scene. Gender: Any
Song List
- A Poultry Tale
- The Joy of Motherhood
- Different (Pre-Reprise)
- Hold Your Head Up High
- Look at Him
- Different
- Play With Your Food
- Every Tear a Mother Cries
- The Wild Goose Chase
- The Joy of Motherhood (Reprise)
- Warts and All
- The Blizzard
- The Transformation
- Look at Him (Reprise)
- Warts and All (Reprise)
- Melting Moggy
Tuitions
Ages 10-13 year olds
Mondays through Fridays
Performances on the final weekend
$795.00 Tuition
Tuition Payments must be made in one payment at the time of registration. We do offer some financial assistance to those who need it (see below) and we can offer a payment plan for those who require that as well. Please email our finance department to get a code to use during registration.
If you have any questions about this please contact us: finance@allabouttheatre.org
Scholarships
If you require financial assistance please print out the application below. There are no guarantees and all applications must be received by a week before the start of the program to be considered.
Scholarship / Financial Aid Information
In addition, we offer a deferred payment plan (DPP) for families who cannot pay the lump sump upfront. This is an option you may select during the registration process online.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships!
If you require financial assistance please print out the application below. There are no guarantees and all applications must be received a month before the first day of the program to be considered.
Scholarship / Financial Aid Information
In addition, we offer a deferred payment plan (DPP) for families who cannot pay the lump sum upfront. Please email finance@allabouttheatre.org for more details.
**Please apply for a scholarship before registering**
Parent Volunteer Hours
We need your help! This is a very rewarding part of the summer production experience - there are many roles the fit everyone's schedule and there's something for everyone..!
To make all of this magic come together, we do request that each family contribute approx. 20 hours of volunteer time (plus additional 5 hours per additional child in same production). These hours go swiftly and really provide an opportunity to connect with our other families and to build community whilst supporting the greater process and your child(ren) as well as all those in the production.
If you are unable to commit to these mandatory volunteer hours, you may buy out the load in, strike, or volunteer hours.