November 6, 2003

Honk! waddles its way onto stage

Hans Christian Andersen’s tale “The Ugly Duckling” takes an unlikely twist in Honk!, a family-friendly production featuring song, dance and puppetry opening 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20, in the University’s Playwrights’ Theatre. Performances continue Nov. 21 to 23 and Dec. 4 to 7, including two Saturday performances, Nov. 22 and Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Cast members of Honk

Directed by CSUS professor Richard Bay and written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, Honk! tells the tale of Ugly, a different sort of duckling that honks instead of quacks. Born into a family of rivalrous, mean-spirited siblings with an unforgiving father, Drake, Ugly is only loved by his mother, Ida. Ugly’s life is a constant conflict. He’s just so different than everybody else on the farm.

The barnyard oddball eventually receives a self-serving invitation to dine from the farm cat, and narrowly escapes being the meal’s main course. Ugly becomes lost in his race to get away, and his quest to be reunited with Ida sets him on a saga of discovery. During the journey home, Ugly encounters protective geese, a beautiful swan and wise frogs. The trip teaches him about the good in being unique. The characters, and audience, are treated to a lesson about what’s really important in life.

Bay characterizes the play as an homage to the musicals of the 1940s. “To enhance a medium-sized cast, we’ve added puppets to create big production numbers on a small stage,“ he says. Bay is quick to add that despite being based on a children’s tale, Honk! has much to offer to all. “The lyrics are really clever and funny to adults,” he says.

Tickets are $18 general, $11 for students and seniors, and available from the CSUS Ticket Office at 278-4323 or Tickets.com. Media assistance is available from public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

####