Aloha Performing Arts Company

Aloha Performing Arts Company
P.O. Box 794
Kealakekua, HI 96750
808-322-9924

7/29/06

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jerry Tracy or Sam Valenti, 322-9924

AUDITIONS ANNOUNCED FOR "HONK, JR."

Auditions will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, August 21 and 22 for the Aloha Performing Arts Company's production of the musical comedy "Honk, Jr." by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. This show is a modern musical retelling of the Ugly Duckling story, and requires a cast of 20-30 people, all under the age of 18. Rehearsals will begin August 24, and will generally be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The show will be performed at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, October 6 though 22.

This show is a streamlined version of "Honk," which includes roles for adults, teens, and children. The "Junior" version is shorter and the music is keyed higher for younger voices. Adult roles will be played by teens or preteens. Jerry Tracy will direct, with musical direction by Gloria Juan-Tapa'atoutai, and choreography by BriAnna Johnson and Jaquelynn Collier. Producers are Cintia Dutra and Jill Rietow.

The following is a list of the characters which will be cast at auditions. Ugly, the main character, should be played by a boy who has a strong tenor voice. He is innocent, easily confused, and very impressionable. His character gradually changes from gullible duckling to wise swan. Ida is Ugly's mom. She is sweet but feisty, and extremely protective of her son, and sings several solos. Drake is Ida's husband. He is a sarcastic, comedic character with a bartione/tenor singing range. He is a major character who has the show's opening song, "A Poultry Tale."

The Ducklings (Beaky, Fluff, Billy, and Downy) are Ugly's siblings, cute little kid types who sing as a group. Maureen is a moorhen and Ida's best friend. She can't resist a bit of good gossip. She is the typical overaffectionate "aunite" and sings "The Joy of Motherhood" with Ida, ideally with a strong mezzo soprano voice. The Cat is the sly, cunning villain of the show. All the other characters are deathly afraid of him. The actor who plays this role could be either a male or a female, and must possess a good sense of comic timing and a strong voice, either belting mezzo or baritone-tenor.

Greylag is a pompous goose and a washed-up British military type. Very Monty Python in nature, he is a baritone and sings solo in "Wild Goose Chase." Dot is Greylag's wife, a motherly type who humors her bumbling husband and tries to help Ugly. She sings solo with Greylag on "Wild Goose Chase." Barnacles, Snowy, and Pinkfoot are some of the goofy geese in Greylag's "squad," and join in singing "Wild Goose Chase."

The Bullfrog is a laid back, self confident frog who cheers Ugly up with the show stopping number "Warts and All." A stand up comedian type with good improvisations skills; could be played by a male or a female. Penny is a young, beautiful swan. Ugly saves her from a tangled fishing net, and she sees beyond his looks, and loves him for who he is. She sings only in group numbers. Father Swan, Mother Swan, and Bewick are Penny's family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son is dead, and are understanding and helpful. They sing only in group numbers.

Grace is the most distinguished duck on the lake. Very aristocratic and a bit haughty, she is looked up to by all and considered the queen of the duckyard. She sings in group numbers. The Turkey is the headmaster of the ducklings' school. He is a bit snobbish and joins in the teasing of Ugly. He sings only in group numbers. Henrietta is another gossiping friend of Maureen's who sings in group numbers. Jay Bird is an investigative TV reporter, a very "in your face" type. This non-singing role could be a male, or if played by a female, the character name would be Maggie Pie. The Farmer, Boy, and Girl are the only humans in the show. Only their voices are heard from offstage. Additional ensemble members may be cast to play a number of different roles such as barnyard animals, goslings, froglets, and a blinding blizzard.

Auditions will consist of simple movement, singing, and reading from the script. Prospective cast members should dress comfortably, and will be seen in the order of arrival. All auditionees must have permission to audition from a parent or legal guardian. Audition forms and parental permission forms are available on APAC's website, www.apachawaii.org. Forms will also be available onsite, each night of auditions. To be considered for inclusion in the cast, attendance is only required on one of the two evenings. A possible callback audition may be announced later. APAC's loft is in Kainaliu, on the second floor of the building directly across the street from Lavender Moon Gallery. Parking is scarce, so it is recommended that auditionees park on the street or in the public lot just north of the building. Access to the loft is via the lane on the south side of Loke's Island Memories, and the entrance is above and behind. Scripts and music are available for onsite perusal at the loft Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, call the APAC office at 322-9924.