'Honk!' Waddles Into Rodeheaver

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.


WINONA LAKE - Not everyone starts out in life on equal footing.

But that doesn't mean you can't end up on top.

In the children's story "The Ugly Duckling," the duckling doesn't look like his siblings, and is ridiculed for being different. But when he grows up, he becomes a beautiful swan admired by all.

Grace College is telling the story of the ugly duckling in the musical "Honk!" at Rodeheaver Auditorium, Winona Lake. Show times are tonight and Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for students and seniors, and $9 for adults. Tickets are available at the door or at the Tree of Life Bookstore, Winona Lake.

According to show director Mike Yocum, "Honk!" won the Olivier Award in 2000 for best musical. The Olivier Award is the British equivalent of a Tony Award.

The show's music was written by George Stiles, with book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe.

In "Honk," Yocum said a mother duck has five eggs in a clutch. Four pop out as lovely as can be. After a little longer, the fifth one breaks out of the egg - only to be one ugly duckling. Being different, the "ugly duckling" is shunned and excluded from barnyard activities.

Yocum said the show really is about how we treat others and how we accept - or don't accept - others for their differences.

For costumes, the Grace students don't have feathers and beaks. However, their costumes give the idea of who the characters are. The cat has a tail at the end of his coattail, while the ducks and other poultry have bright orange or yellow socks.

Song styles range from the tango to military march to some jazzy blues. The most well-known song is "Different."

Yocum said, "It's a wonderful show for everyone in the family."

The cast includes Drew Rochotte as Ugly; Bekah Porterfield, Ida; David Lepor, Cat; David Thornton, Drake; Brett Fancil, Beaky; Katie Yocum, Fluff; Stone Rager, Billy; Tara Rusinack, Downy; Ellie Roseberry, Maureen; Kylie Wadsworth, Henrietta; Jason Bloomingdale, Greylag; Christi Mann, Dot; Ashlee Lane, Lowbutt; Sarah Humberd, Queenie; Brady Rhodes, Bullfrog; Erin Reifsnider, Penny; David Roseberry, Turkey; Joel Newman, Jaybird; Erika Bernheisel, Grace; Nick Robbins, Barnacles; Whitney Roach, Snowy; Katie Kelley, Pinkfoot; Brice Williams, Father Swan; Katie Adams, Mother Swan; Liz Bratcher, Bewick; and Eric Blevins, Toby Chin, Tommi Sauder and Elisha Tucker as barnyard animals, fish, geese, froglets, etc.

Assistant director/choreographer is Laurie Owen, with Crystal VanArtsdalen as scene designer/production manager. Stage manager is Christy Revelos, with costume design by David Lepor, Christi Mann, Sarah Rogers and Laurie Owen. Choreography for "Together" by Sarah Humbard.

Rehearsal pianist is Marlene Everson and David Thornton. Lighting design by Michael Yocum, and sound by Steve Wise.

Orchestra conductor is Jeremy Smith, and the orchestra includes Amanda Shine on flute; Shannon Baad on clarinet/alto saxophone; Josh Murray, horn; Brian Frederick, trumpet/flugelhorn; Jeff Wright, guitar; Marlene Everson, keyboard; Dan Dunford, bass trombone; Dan Zambrano, cello; and Matt Sitts on percussion.[[In-content Ad]]

WINONA LAKE - Not everyone starts out in life on equal footing.

But that doesn't mean you can't end up on top.

In the children's story "The Ugly Duckling," the duckling doesn't look like his siblings, and is ridiculed for being different. But when he grows up, he becomes a beautiful swan admired by all.

Grace College is telling the story of the ugly duckling in the musical "Honk!" at Rodeheaver Auditorium, Winona Lake. Show times are tonight and Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for students and seniors, and $9 for adults. Tickets are available at the door or at the Tree of Life Bookstore, Winona Lake.

According to show director Mike Yocum, "Honk!" won the Olivier Award in 2000 for best musical. The Olivier Award is the British equivalent of a Tony Award.

The show's music was written by George Stiles, with book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe.

In "Honk," Yocum said a mother duck has five eggs in a clutch. Four pop out as lovely as can be. After a little longer, the fifth one breaks out of the egg - only to be one ugly duckling. Being different, the "ugly duckling" is shunned and excluded from barnyard activities.

Yocum said the show really is about how we treat others and how we accept - or don't accept - others for their differences.

For costumes, the Grace students don't have feathers and beaks. However, their costumes give the idea of who the characters are. The cat has a tail at the end of his coattail, while the ducks and other poultry have bright orange or yellow socks.

Song styles range from the tango to military march to some jazzy blues. The most well-known song is "Different."

Yocum said, "It's a wonderful show for everyone in the family."

The cast includes Drew Rochotte as Ugly; Bekah Porterfield, Ida; David Lepor, Cat; David Thornton, Drake; Brett Fancil, Beaky; Katie Yocum, Fluff; Stone Rager, Billy; Tara Rusinack, Downy; Ellie Roseberry, Maureen; Kylie Wadsworth, Henrietta; Jason Bloomingdale, Greylag; Christi Mann, Dot; Ashlee Lane, Lowbutt; Sarah Humberd, Queenie; Brady Rhodes, Bullfrog; Erin Reifsnider, Penny; David Roseberry, Turkey; Joel Newman, Jaybird; Erika Bernheisel, Grace; Nick Robbins, Barnacles; Whitney Roach, Snowy; Katie Kelley, Pinkfoot; Brice Williams, Father Swan; Katie Adams, Mother Swan; Liz Bratcher, Bewick; and Eric Blevins, Toby Chin, Tommi Sauder and Elisha Tucker as barnyard animals, fish, geese, froglets, etc.

Assistant director/choreographer is Laurie Owen, with Crystal VanArtsdalen as scene designer/production manager. Stage manager is Christy Revelos, with costume design by David Lepor, Christi Mann, Sarah Rogers and Laurie Owen. Choreography for "Together" by Sarah Humbard.

Rehearsal pianist is Marlene Everson and David Thornton. Lighting design by Michael Yocum, and sound by Steve Wise.

Orchestra conductor is Jeremy Smith, and the orchestra includes Amanda Shine on flute; Shannon Baad on clarinet/alto saxophone; Josh Murray, horn; Brian Frederick, trumpet/flugelhorn; Jeff Wright, guitar; Marlene Everson, keyboard; Dan Dunford, bass trombone; Dan Zambrano, cello; and Matt Sitts on percussion.[[In-content Ad]]
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