Aloha Performing Arts Company

ALL YOUTH CAST SELECTED FOR APAC MUSICAL 9/15/06

Aloha Performing Arts Company has completed casting and begun rehearsal for "Honk, Jr.", a zany modern musical retelling of the ugly duckling story, written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Thirty three performers ranging in age from 5 to 17 have been selected for the show, which will be presented at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu the first three weekends in October.

The leading role of Ugly, a young swan born into a duck's nest, is played by Banning Ramirez, who appeared in APAC's productions of "The Music Man" and "The Sound of Music" and also in Kealakehe Intermediate School's "Aladdin, Jr." Ugly's mother, Ida, is played by newcomer Jessica McDonald, a 7th grader at Kealakehe Intermediate. From the same school, 8th grader Shaun Lorenzo, who had the title role in "Aladdin, Jr.", will play the role of Drake, Ida's lazy husband.

Ugly's siblings, the "normal" ducklings, are Erin Zagorodney as Beaky, Tyler Saplan as Billy, Jaylynne Fowler as Fluff and Bianca Dutra as Downy. Maureen, Ida's gossipy best friend, is played by APAC veteran performer BriAnna Johnson, who is also co-choreographer. Sandra Burck plays the Cat, the villainess of the piece, who leads Ugly astray. Sandra is a Shakespearean actor, having appeared in "Macbeth," "Othello," and "Romeo and Juliet," as well as many other APAC productions.

Greylag and Dot, the leaders of the Goose Squadron, are played by Alex Moore and Sara Frazier. Other animals include Jason Fowler as the Turkey, Jonathan Kutsunai as Jay Bird, Kirsten Hamar as Henrietta, Louis Jaeger as Barnacles, Donna Bearth as Snowy, Caitie Johnson as Pinkfoot, and Megan Walters as Grace.

Ugly finally finds a special friend in Penny the Swan, played by Tiffany Kutsunai. Her Swan family includes Jonathan Kutsunai, Chamika Fujioka, and Miel Krauss. Delaney Ross plays the Bullfrog, who sings the showstopping number "Warts and All." Ensemble members include Amanda Nelson, Courtney Nelson, Jadyn Bellah, Keawe Nakoa Strance, Kenna Flanders, Kolby Martin, Trinity Martin, Maya Krauss, Victoria Sherwood, Nicholas Sherwood, and Sage Saplan.

"Honk, Jr." is directed by Jerry Tracy, with musical direction by Gloria Juan Tapa'atoutai. Parker School student Sierra Saplan is assistant director, and the choreographers are students Jaquelynn Collier and BriAnna Johnson. This inspiring musical about tolerance and diversity will be presented at the Aloha Theatre October 6-22. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 regular admission and $12 for students and seniors. On Fridays, $10 seats are offered to everyone under the age of 18, with proper identification. Tickets are available online at www.apachawaii.org, via phone at 322-1648, or at the box office beginning one hour prior to curtain time. For more information, call the APAC office at 322-9924.