Overview
Synopsis
Based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling, Honk! tells the story of an odd looking baby duck, Ugly, and his quest to find his mother. Soon after Ugly is born, he is seduced away by a wily Cat who wants to eat Ugly for dinner. Eventually, Ugly manages to escape but has no idea how to return home. Along his way, he encounters a beautiful swan, Penny, tangled in a fishing line. After saving her, the two birds fall in love. However, she must return to her flock and fly south for the winter. Eventually, Ugly’s mother finds him frozen in snow. Luckily, her warm tears manage to thaw him out and he comes back to life – as a handsome swan! Soon, Ugly is reunited with Penny and two swans decide to live the rest of their days in the same pond as Ugly’s loyal mother. *The Junior version of Honk is specially adapted for young performers-abridged to 60-80 minutes, with music transposed into keys appropriate for young voices.
Show Information
- Book
- Anthony Drewe
- Music
- George Stiles
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 2002
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- A small farm by the lake and the surrounding area
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Recording
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Community Theatre, Elementary School, Large Cast, Ensemble Cast, Middle School, Star Vehicle Male, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA), Mostly Male Cast, Includes Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters
Context
Honk began its journey in 1993 where a version of the show opened at the Watermill theatre in England. In this beginning stage the show was titled “The Ugly Duckling or the Aesthetically Challenged Farmyard Fowl.” As the show progressed into the version we know and love today, the name shortened to Honk and made its official debut at the Stephen Joseph Theater in England in 1997. Honk made its West End debut in 1999 at the Royal National Theatre and won the Olivier
to read the context for Honk! JR and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
The show opens on a quaint little farm where Drake, a father awaiting the birth of his new hatchlings, ponders life on the farm and begins to introduce all of his farmyard friends (“A Poultry Tale”). All run off in a flurry of feathers leaving none but mother-to-be Ida sitting alone on her nest. She is getting restless and calls out for Drake. She reminds him of the promise he made to help expand the nest before the babies come. The attention shifts to the eggs sitting beneath her, four perfect
to read the plot for Honk! JR and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Either Gender |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone |
Songs
- “A Poultry Tale” - Drake, Ida, Turkey, Henrietta, Cat, Grace, Maureen, Farm Animals
- “The Joy of Motherhood” - Ida, Maureen
- “Different (Pre-Reprise)” - Ida
- “Hold Your Head Up High” - Ida, Ugly, Fish
- “Look at Him” - Ida, Drake, Ugly, Henrietta, Turkey, Cat, Grace, Maureen, Ducklings, Farm Animals
- “Different” - Ugly
- “You Can Play With Your Food” - Cat, Ugly
- “Every Tear a Mother Cries” - Ida
- “The Wild Goose Chase” - Greylag, Dot, Ugly, Geese
- “The Joy of Motherhood (Reprise)” - Drake
- “Warts and All” - Bullfrog, Ugly, Froglets, Company
- “The Blizzard” - Company
- “Transformation” - Ugly, Ida, Penny
- “Look at Him (reprise)” - Company
- “Warts and All (reprise)” - Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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