Honk if you like family musicals: ACT's updated, fun version of The Ugly Duckling' opens this week

Staff

Published Sunday, October 30, 2005

By Geri McShane, Tribune Lifestyles Editor

A veteran of numerous theatrical productions, Steve Kinney has seen about every type of musical. Still, he can't help but enjoy his latest.

Kinney is directing “Honk!” for Albert Lea Community Theatre.

“It's got great spirit,” he said. “It's got real strong life lessons. It's one of those things people are taught when they're young. It deals with personal values and judgments, and is a lesson we can never hear too much of.”

“Honk!” is the new musical based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling." When Hans Christian Andersen penned his tale of the ugly duckling, he probably would have been surprised at what writer Anthony Drewe and composer George Stiles would do with the story.

“Honk!” has turned the inspirational fairy tale into a surprisingly sophisticated comedy.

Kinney said the show will charm theatre-goers of all ages. “It's definitely appealing to all ages,” he added. “It's fun. It's different.”

The London Times called it "delightful," while the Guardian said it "hits all the right notes...(with) an elegance that is rare."

“Honk!” has won many awards, including Britain's prestigious Olivier Award for best musical of 2000, beating out “The Lion King.”

Kinney said he is pleased with the cast. There are some fresh new faces, people with some theatre experience, and some veterans. The cast includes:

Keith Steinke, Sierra Scherf, Roger Truax, David Behling, Sue Wiersma, Sue Jorgensen, Marie Reyerson, Molly Wagner, Annmarie Caporale, Morgan Ciota, Macy Paul, Victoria Torkelson, Addie Wagner, Andrew Torkelson, Crissy Reindal, Brittany Reyerson and Joy Wiersma.

Musical director is Deb Cooper and the vocal director is Sue Jorgensen.

Costumes are by Rosalie Truax. “She's done some creative problem solving in this production,” Kinney said. “People are portraying animal characters, but they still look like people. It's not like children's theatre.”

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students. Tickets for the public go on sale Oct. 31 beginning at 3:30.

The box office number is: 377-4371.

“Tickets have gone very quickly for our musicals,” says ACT Artistic Director Patrick Rasmussen, “Last year ‘Smokey Joe's Caf' was sold out the day after we opened, and the other musicals like ‘Swing' and ‘Oklahoma!' were sold out before we finished the first week's run.

This is why we give our season ticket members the advantage to purchase their tickets before they go on sale to the general public.”

Evening performances for Honk! are Nov. 3, 4 and 5t and Nov. 10, 11, and 12 beginning at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees on the Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 beginning at 2 p.m.

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