Shipmates to premiere ‘Honk!’
Contributed photo
HONK IF YOU LOVE MUSICALS — The Presque Isle High School Shipmates’ Playhouse fall musical “Honk!” will premier Friday night. The story is very similar to the theme of “The Ugly Duckling” with some added characters that teach the audience how important it is to celebrate their differences and not bully others.
Cast members include, from left, front row: Arianna Forbes and Jordan Buckley. Second row: Kristen Gingrich and Michaela Dubé. Third row: Dylan Shaw. Back row: Kristina Lord, Chloe Rossignol, Keith Clark and Dale Winslow. Tickets are $5 and are available at the PIHS main office, Goin’ Postal and at the door.
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
PRESQUE ISLE — The Presque Isle High School Shipmates’ Playhouse fall musical “Honk!” is sure to be just ducky.
According to Artistic Director Leslee Mahon, the story is very similar to the theme of “The Ugly Duckling” with some added characters that “teach the audience how important it is to celebrate our differences and not bully others.”
“The story also will be poignant for mothers who unconditionally love their children and value uniqueness,” she said. “We were looking for a musical with strong characterization and this English play fit the bill. The script allows for colorful costumes and set with wonderful ensemble cast work.
“It is a true family show with dramatic moments and comedic highlights,” said Mahon. “These students are gifted with characterization and this play illuminates their talents.”
Jay Nelson, music director, said while most of the songs from the musical will be unfamiliar to show-goers, the songs are “really fun and definitely will stick in your head after you hear them.”
“The music from this show seems to have ‘stolen’ musical ideas from many other shows,” he said. “The composers did not really steal any music, but at times it sounds like ‘Les Miserables,’ ‘West Side Story,’ ‘Into the Woods,’ ‘Seussical,’ ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and many others.
“If I had to pick one show that this one really reminds me of it would be ‘Seussical,’” said Nelson, “as each song is written to work with the various characters presented throughout the show.”
Recognizing that there are always challenges with every production, Nelson said the biggest one with “Honk!” is that “we have a relatively small cast and most of them play several roles in each show.”
“Therefore, the large group ensemble numbers do not have the big sound that I would like due to the fact that we don’t have a large cast,” he said. “However, the songs are all very singable for high school students and we have done a good job of adapting the music to fit our cast.”
Technical/Set Director Joe Zubrick said the basic sets for “Honk!” are “whimsical.”
“The elements are seen from the point of view of ducklings and chicks so everything is outsized,” he said. “They put the audience into the mindset of the main characters.”
Rehearsals have been going well, and organizers are certain community members will enjoy themselves.
“The students are working diligently to create believable characters. The music is excellent and the added stylistic choral parts give the play an artistic feel,” said Mahon. “Many parts are doubled and some are not, so all audience members will want to attend both casts to see the phenomenal talents of these students.”
“‘Honk!’ is a great show for the entire family for about the same price as going to the movies,” Nelson said, “and this will definitely be better than any movie playing during the two weekends of the show! These kids are great and have been working very hard on this show. It would be wonderful to get a great turnout for each of the six performances. You won’t be sorry you came!”
Zubrick agreed.
“PIHS has a tradition of excellence in theatrical production going back 50 years,” he said. “Everyone knows that they’ll get a good show at the fall musical.”
The Duck Cast includes Keith Clark (Drake), Brenden Goulet (Bullfrog and Greylag), Chloe Rossignol (Ida), Miranda Flannery (Henrietta and Dot/Bewick), Hannah Stoutamyer (Penny), Alana Luong (Pinkfoot), Cameo Madore (Queenie), Meghan Legassie (Grace), Jordan Buckley (Billy Duckling) and Michaela Dubé (Downy Duckling).
The Swan Cast includes Brenden Goulet (Drake), Keith Clark (Bullfrog and Greylag), Jordan Buckley (Ida), Michaela Dubé (Henrietta), Alana Luong (Penny), Hannah Stoutamyer (Pinkfoot), Annelise Wardwell (Queenie), Abigayle Clark (Grace), Paige Haley (Dot/Bewick), Chloe Rossignol (Billy Duckling) and Miranda Flannery (Downy Duckling).
Actors who play the same role in both Swan and Duck Casts include Dylan Shaw (Ugly), Dale Winslow (Cat), Isaac Michaud (Turkey/Barnacles), Kristina Lord (Maureen and Lowbutt), Arianna Forbes (Snowy/Mother Swan and Beaky Duckling), Liam Daniels (Jay Bird/Father Swan), Kristen Gingrich (Fluff Duckling), and Fish/Frogletts: Hannah Stoutamyer, Abigayle Clark, Miranda Flannery, Arianna Forbes, Paige Haley, Annelise Wardwell, Michaela Dubé and Meghan Legassie.
Stage Crew (Swan Cast): Courtney Carney, Hayden Dow, Kayli Malenfant, Marta Herzog, Kylie Blair, Ashton Lattanzi, Blake Winslow, Andrew Ballerstein, Hanna Postell and Emma Everett. Duck Cast: Courtney Carney, Hayden Dow, Kayli Malenfant, Marta Herzog, Andrew Ballerstein, Jess Cameron, Lacie LeGassie, Dylan Ouellette, Alyssa Trombley and Hope King.
Pit Crew: Sean Diette and Jenna Hartung (reeds), Kyle Goupille (trumpet), Jon Simonoff (bass) and Patrick Bragdon (drums).
Directors and play production staff: Leslee Mahon (artistic director), Elaine Sipe (assistant director/costumes), Jay Nelson (music director), Kim Kiehn (pianist), Joe Zubrick (technical/set director), Brittany Morrison (choreographer), Brynn Staples, Rachel Dow and Mariah Ellis (costume assistants), Garrett Kidney, Keanna Daniels, Noah Rossignol and Rachel Scott (lights and sound), Christina Hallowell, Jordyn Shaw, Katie Buckley, Emma Michalowski, Kylie Blair, Brynn Staples, Betsy Fitzherbert and Kim Delano (hair and makeup), Courtney Carney (stage manager) and Hayden Dow (assistant manager).
Performances of the Duck Cast will be Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. The Swan Cast will take to the stage Saturday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. All performances will take place in the PIHS auditorium. Tickets are $5 and are available at the PIHS main office, Goin’ Postal and at the door.
