 Mom and Dad knew there was something peculiar about this duckling long before it hatched. The egg was more than twice the size of the other eggs surrounding it, creating quite a stir in the nest as to whether or not Dad was really the "dad." Surely the father of this egg was some turkey, or perhaps Mom had been "goosed"?
Once out of the egg, the differences were even more apparent. For one thing, whereas the other ducklings "quacked," this one "honked." And its size and shape was like nothing ever seen in the duckyard. The grotesquely large and awkward duckling was dubbed with the unfortunate name of "Ugly." But his mother loved him just the same as her more attractive ducklings, telling Ugly that it's what is on the inside that counts, not how we look. Yes, it's the immortal Hans Christian Andersen tale of The Ugly Duckling. This adorable musical comedy beat out The Lion King for the Lawrence Olivier Award for best new musical in 2000. And you're not going to see a better production of it than you will right now at the Avo Playhouse. Encore Youth Theatre and Director Heather Megill have brought together an extremely deep and talented cast and crew that makes this tremendous musical a definite must see. Jacob Haren, who teamed up last Fall with Heather Megill in the outstanding production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, here stars as The Ugly Duckling himself. With Jacob's fantastic voice, stage presence, and charming "honk," you're sure to look beyond his "ugly" exterior and see the beauty inside. Lauren Gira plays Ida, Ugly's mother, who risks her reputation and her life to protect her unusual child from the world that can be so cruel to anyone who stands out from the norm. Her remarkably beautiful voice soars in such songs as The Joy of Motherhood (joined by Jessica Johnson who likewise has a tremendous voice), Hold Your Head Up High, and especially the tender Every Tear A Mother Cries. The showstopper is definitely Benjamin Hart as the bad kitty who has a taste for young ducklings, and has an eye for the enormous new ugly one that nearly everyone else shuns. Benjamin plays the dastardly role with hysterically villainous zeal and panache that you might not see again if you live nine lives. Whether it's singing, dancing, or "playing with his food," Benjamin is the cat's pajamas! Other terrific performances abound. There's the Bullfrog (Murphy Martin) who commiserates with Ugly in the snappy song-and-dance Warts and All. He started out as a blob of jelly, and it has just been downhill since. General Greylag (Theo Nicholson) is the humorously pompous military leader of a gaggle of geese who tries to help out little Ugly when he gets lost, but is he simply on a Wild Goose Chase? Conor Ford is a riot as the callous father who, as Ida says, always ducks out of his responsibilities. This lazy and unsentimental duck introduces himself to his new ducklings with the nonchalant yet succinct, "Hi kids, I'm your Dad." As Grace, queen of the duckyard, the exquisite Deidre Haren begins the play with her beautiful singing of A Poultry Tale. Angela Gleason as the Turkey (who is petrified of any kind of "Thanksgiving" reference) and Felisa Arguello as Henrietta are the mean teachers who make Ugly feel even more of an outsider in Look at Him, but they join Ida in mourning when it looks like Ugly has fallen victim to the bad ol' cat. And Chelsea Moore is Penny, a lovely young swan who tries to cheer up crestfallen Ugly with kind words and a "honk" that sounds strangely familiar. Renetta Lehman, an 18-year-old costume designer, has put together a wide variety of priceless costumes that do this fine cast justice. Adorable ducks, geese in military uniform, a dashingly green frog, a stylish black cat, a full-feathered turkey, the graceful, silvery swans, a pod of froglets, and a school of fish all show great imagination and talent. All that talent, a hilarious script, wonderful music, charming choreography (Heather Megill and Moonlight regular Erin Anderson), and a great story all combine for an unforgettable theatre experience. Rob Hopper San Diego Playbill ~ Cast ~
Ugly: Jacob Haren Ida: Lauren Gira Cat: Benajmin Hart ~ The Duckyard ~ Drake: Conor Ford Grace: Deidre Haren Maureen: Jessica Johnson Henrietta: Felisa Arguello Turkey: Angela Gleason ~ Ducklings ~ Beaky: Kyle Gemmell Billy: Jarvis Haren Downey: Jenianne Fortney Fluff: Olivia Johnson Webbie: Larissa Larson ~ Geese ~ Greylag: Theo Nicholson Dot: Alexandra Weaverling Barnacles: Noah Fish Gabby: Adeline McKinley Pinkfoot: Heather Youmans Snowy: Erica Thomas Swifty: Michael Fortney ~ Media ~ Jaybird: Timothy Baca Cameraman: Murphy Martin Floor Manager: Jason Donaldson ~ Swans ~ Penny: Chelsea Moore Mother Swan: Brittany Sharkey Father Swan: Jason Donaldson Bewick: Elizabeth Gleason ~ Lilypad ~ Bullfrog: Murphy Martin ~ Voices ~ Children: Michael Fortney Becky Gleason Erica Thomas Farmer: Jason Donaldson ~ Fish ~ Timothy Baca Hannah Brenzel Kirsten Callais Makenzie Daris Jason Donaldson Samantha Everson Noah Fish Michael Fortney Becky Gleason Elizabeth Gleason Sydney Maler Murphy Martin Adeline McKinley Chelsea Moore Brittany Nicastro Brittany Sharkey Erica Thomas Heather Youmans ~ Elegy Choir ~ Hannah Brenzel Kirsten Callais Makenzie Daris Samantha Everson Becky Gleason Elizabeth Gleason Sydney Maler Chelsea Moore Brittany Nicastro Brittany Sharkey ~ Clouds ~ Hannah Brenzel Kirsten Callais Makenzie Daris Samantha Everson Becky Gleason Elizabeth Gleason Sydney Maler Chelsea Moore Brittany Nicastro Brittany Sharkey ~ Collage Company ~ Hannah Brenzel Kirsten Callais Makenzie Daris Samantha Everson Becky Gleason Elizabeth Gleason Sydney Maler Brittany Nicastro ~ "Now I've Seen You" Ballet ~ Timothy Baca Jason Donaldson Noah Fish Michael Fortney Adeline McKinley Chelsea Moore Erica Thomas Heather Youmans ~ Froglets ~ Hannah Brenzel Kirsten Callais Makenzie Daris Samantha Everson Becky Gleason Elizabeth Gleason Sydney Maler Brittany Nicastro ~ Blizzard ~ Timothy Baca Hannah Brenzel Kirsten Callais Makenzie Daris Samantha Everson Noah Fish Michael Fortney Becky Gleason Deidre Haren Sydney Maler Adeline McKinley Erica Thomas Alexandra Weaverling Heather Youmans Director: Heather Megill Musical Director: Jeff Lehman Choreographer: Erin Anderson Costume Designer: Renetta Lehman House Manager: Kelly Ford Stage Manager: Keith Gemmell Lighting Designer: Danny Howell Sound Designer/Board Operator: Carl Pinamonti, Jr. |