With comedic lines understandable to both child and adult, add to the mix, drama, a sense of adventure and a lesson to be learned, and Hans Christian Andersen’s "The Ugly Duckling" with song and dance becomes "Honk!"
The McLean Theatre Alliance (MTA) production of "Honk!" opens Friday evening March 8 at 8 p.m. at the Alden Theatre in the McLean Community Center.
"I recall the children’s book by Hans Christian Andersen and this is very loosely based on it and expanded to a two to two-and-a-half hour musical. The challenges of fitting in are explored," said Arlington systems analyst Chuck Dluhy. Dluhy, a 23-year veteran of community theater, in his first MTA performance, plays one of the leads as "Cat."
"Cat is cunning — a charmer. He has a sexiness about him," said Dluhy. "His main goal is to get Ugly into his lair and eat him because he’s a hungry cat," he said.
While Cat is trying to devour Ugly, Ida, played by Falls Church resident Stacy Mills, is attempting to protect Ugly as his mother.
"I’m very excited about this part," said Mills, a seven-year veteran of community theater in her second MTA role. "I love the character because she goes through a full range of emotions from tender, protective, determined and she’s also got a sharp sense of humor. The sense of humor comes out with the inner-play with husband Drake — they have terrific banter. It’s very ‘Honeymooners,’" she said.
THE CHARACTERS portraying ducks are not wearing duck costumes, said Mills. "It’s implied. All the costumes are human. The cat is in a tux with tails. It’s challenging to walk a balance between being a cartoon character and a human being. We’ve all been working on our physical movements — but not too over exaggerated," she said.
Also playing a balancing act is Burke resident Anna Kate Bocknek, 18, a Lake Braddock High School senior making her debut performance in community theater. Bocknek’s balancing act is in the portrayal of two characters — Penny, "sweet by nature and Pinkfoot, an obnoxious goose," she said. "Penny is a swan. She’s compassionate toward Ugly and sees that he has potential," said Bocknek.
"The roles are a nice contrast. I like it. I’m not restricted to a sweet ingénue role. I’m not confined. I want to do theater for a living and wanted to get some experience outside of high school," said Bocknek.
Also wearing two faces is one of the play’s younger actors, Melissa Berkowitz, 11, of McLean, a fifth grader attending Spring Hill Elementary School. "I like performing a singing," said Berkowitz, playing the role of Fluff. "Fluff is one of Ugly’s sisters. She bullies Ugly. She’s nice in front of our mom, but bad when she’s not looking," said Berkowitz.
ANOTHER ONE of Ugly’s siblings is Downy, portrayed by Churchill Road Elementary School fourth grader Naomi Bowen, 9, of McLean. "She’s mischievous," said Bowen of Downy. "She talks back to her father. She doesn’t always look at the bright side. She complains and she’s nosy," said Bowen.
"Honk!" opens Friday, March 8, at 8 p.m. at the Alden Theatre at the McLean Community Center and will run for three weekends. The Friday and Saturday performances are March 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. The Sunday matinees on March 10 and 17 will begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $14 with discounts for students and seniors. For more information, call 703-790-9223 or 202-432-7328.