Musical Honk profiles more than 60 students
The North Fort Myers spring musical performance of Honk is set for April 30, May 1 and 2, and scores of performers and musicians are busy rehearsing now for the musical comedy.
There are 67 students in the production, who more than fill the colorful barnyard stage.
Michele Whitener, the drama teacher, is the director of Honk.
“This is a really fun telling of the old tale of the Ugly Duckling, updated. It has a combination of serious songs and fun songs and it’s also a musical comedy.”
It’s a musical with a message, she said.
“It tells the story in a very relevant way, relevant to the consequences of bullying someone who’s different. Even in today’s society we need to be reminded about that.”
She said it’s wonderful to be able to have such a huge cast.
“Being an arts program it’s really exciting, because we have dancers, we have our orchestra, our vocalists and our actors just combining our arts program to bring a spectacular show.”
While it has the animal theme, she said the show actually is not targeted to young, young viewers.
“From ages eight to 80 it will be enjoyable. It’s not just a kid’s show, and I want our community to realize that. Even though it is the story of the Ugly Ducking, it’s more relevant with puns and that type of humor.”
It really is a lot of fun, she said.
“This was a show that was well-acclaimed in London,” she said. “The musical won the Olivier Award, which is our equivalent of the Tony Award,” she said. “We’d love to see everyone out here to see it.”
Gwen Gregg is the musical director and John McDonald is the orchestra director.
Ticket sales start this week for the cost of $7 and will be available at the main school office. The performances will take place at 7 p.m. with the house opening at 6:15 where tickets will be available at the door. For information, call 995-2117.