Musical comedy 'Honk' on CSC stage this weekend
One of the outstanding musical comedies of recent years, “Honk,” will be presented this weekend by the Theater and Music Departments at Chadron State College. The performances that are open to the public will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6-8 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9 in Memorial Hall.
The production also will be presented to students from eight high schools in the region at 12:30 p.m. Thursday during Theater Day at CSC and to at least 1,000 elementary school students from about a 50-mile radius of Chadron during two performances Monday, Oct. 10.
The latter activity is being supported by an endowment established by Pauline Moody, a long-time area educator who left a portion of her estate to the Chadron Public Library to provide educational programs for area students.
“Honk,” often referred to as “The Ugly Duckling Musical,” was the winner of the Olivier Award for Best Musical in 1999 and the Elliott Norton Award for the Outstanding Musical Production of 2001.
The musical is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling.” The score is said to be “brimming with wit, melody and unexpected emotion.” While sad at times, the plot follows a less-than normal-looking duck through a series of encounters with an all-animal cast of characters.
The director, Roger Mays, said the production will be enjoyed by the entire family.
One reviewer said the musical “hits all the right notes (with) an elegance that is rare.”
Sixteen songs are included in the production. They include “The Joy of Motherhood,” “Hold Your Head Up High,” “Every Tear a Mother Cries,” “It Takes All Sorts,” “Together” and “Now I’ve Seen You.”
About 50 CSC faculty and students are involved in producing the musical.
The lead of Ugly is played by Mike Mamula, a freshman who graduated from Douglas High School at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City. Heath Draney of Omaha is cast as Drake, Ugly’s father. Hannah Huckfeldt of Chadron portrays Ida, Ugly’s mother.
Dr. Roger MacNeill is the musical director while another CSC professor, Jim Margetts, and his keyboard ensemble will provide the accompaniment. Donna Hoppens of the Consuming Fire Dance Studio in Chadron has choreographed two of the dance numbers.
The sets are being constructed by Scott Cavin, CSC assistant professor of theater.
Three CSC seniors are taking the lead in providing much of the technical support. Crystal Neitzel of Gregory, S.D., is the stage manager, Adam Spencer of Grand Island is the lighting designer and Shelley Fiester of Imperial has designed the costumes.
Other cast members are Sharon Banister, Kiowa, Colo.; Jen Beckstead, Havre, Mont.; Mindy Bland, Custer, S.D.; Erica DeBoer, Morrill; Christine French, Rapid City, S.D.; Dan Giffee, Dawson; Cody Griebel, Hot Springs, S.D.; Jesse Hamer, Box Elder, S.D.; Chastity Holland, Gillette, Wyo.; Lars Monson, Benkelman; Amber Reaves, Superior; Whitney Rickard, Scottsbluff; Alex Schwarz, Bertrand; and Amanda Smith, Kemmerer, Wyo.
Tickets may be purchased by calling 432-6360 from 2 to 6 p.m. each weekday. They are $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens and youths 18 and under if purchased in advance. All tickets at the door will be $6.
Related Story: ‘Honk’ is CSC homecoming bonus
Category: Campus News