The set has been built. The costumes have been assembled and the student actors have rehearsed. The BHS senior showcase, "HONK!" is ready for curtain time.

 

The show runs Thursday through Sunday with school performances scheduled today at the school auditorium.

 

At the heart of it all is “Ugly” – a character which parallels the Ugly Duckling in the Hans Christian Andersen story classic - played by Luke Sambol.

 

“Luke is a kid who has been with our program since eighth grade, has consistently worked hard, had positive attitude and has made most of the opportunities afforded to him,” Young said. “He has gotten better and better and earned this role 100 percent.”

 

From the moment of his hatching – about five minutes into the show – Ugly is the focus of “HONK!”

 

“He goes on this sort of journey and runs away from home,” Young said. “Kids pick on him and he meets this crazy group of people along the way.” 

 

The characters with whom Ugly comes into contact include a squadron of geese, some barnyard animals, froglets and other enchanting characters, all with unique personalities and set in the post-World War II era.

 

“We have the goose family which flies in and that dad is kind of military – a drill sergeant – so he is dressed like a World War II fighter pilot with a bomber jacket, aviator hat, goggles and scarf and all the goose children are dressed like cadets and the wife is dressed like a flight attendant,” said Trina Byard, costume designer.

 

The characters are animals, but those with unique appearances. 

 

“We’ll give them lots of dimension in their faces – shadowing and highlights – but their faces will look very human," said Albani St. Martin Brown, hair and makeup artist. 

 

Those portraying birds will wear extra eye accent makeup - liners and lashes to give a fuller eye effect, ducks will have fuller lips and cats will feature true cat eyes, she said. 

 

Because of its message of acceptance and anti-bullying, “HONK!” is a show with much heart, said Director Jason Young.

 

“It doesn’t beat you over the head with it, but it’s about being different,” he said. “And that’s meaningful to elementary students, middle school and high school kids – and even adults because we live in a society where we don’t always accept different. The message at the end is that it's okay."

 

It’s also a show which presents some challenges when it comes to the set.

 

“That challenge is to make an oversized world because all the characters are tiny animals – ducklings, cats and geese – so these tiny creatures are in a set where everything is big. Grass is like three feet tall, cattails are five feet tall and chairs are eight feet tall,” said Jared St. Martin Brown, technical director.

 

Among those playing key roles is Aaron Harris, who portrays Cat.  

 

“This is a great role for Aaron,” Young said. “The Cat is in pursuit of Ugly simply because he wants to eat him. There’s a lot of comedy in that because as Ugly meets and befriends other people, the Cat tries to weasel himself into those relationships. At one point, he disguises himself as a goose. It’s a lot of fun and stuff the kids are really going to enjoy.”

 

Ida – Ugly’s mom and main support – is played by Jessica Pigott.

 

“That role has a lot of heart,” Young said. “Ida is the only person who accepts Ugly from the very beginning. He’s her son and she doesn’t care what he looks like. She sort of takes the adventure after him – chasing him, trying to get him home safely. It’s a really touching role.”

 

 Holding main roles are Bridgeport High School seniors with some students of Bridgeport Middle School serving in secondary roles. It’s a production with infectious, upbeat music and is ideal for all ages, Young said.

 

Everyone from one year old to 99 years old will be able to see – and love – this show,” he said.

 

"HONK!" will be presented at BHS Oct. 23, 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. All tickets are $10. They can be purchased at the BHS Theatre Box Office at 304-842-6785.

 

 “HONK” cast members have been making various community appearances in an effort to spread awareness of anti-bullying and acceptance.

 

Today’s appearance is no exception – and it is particularly fitting. As Oct. 22 is designated Anti-Bullying Day, show characters will be stationed along Johnson Avenue with signs that say “Honk! if you’re against bullying.”

 

Read more about community performances HERE.

 

Also, be sure to check back later today as a "HONK!" photo gallery by Ben Queen will be posted.

 

A cast list follows:

 

BULLFROG………………………..Noah Murray          CAT……………………………………….Aaron Harris

 

DOT…………………………..Isabella McMillion           DRAKE………………………………..Ryan Osborne

 

FATHER SWAN………………….Noah Murray           GRACE……………………………...Aika Takahashi

                                              

GREYLAG…………………………Ryan Osborne         HENRIETTA……………………Lily Vredingburgh

              

IDA…………………………………..Jessica Pigott        LOWBUTT…………………...Isabella McMillion

 

MAUREEN.............................Emily Greer                MOTHER SWAN……………....Malinda Hodge

 

PENNY…………………………....Maya Flowers           QUEENIE………………………........Taryn P.

 

SISTER SWAN………………….Cheryl Romine          TURKEY……………………………….Noah Murray

 

UGLY………………………………….Luke Sambol

 

 

DUCKLINGS

Jenna Keefover, Shelby Whiteman, Caroline Fulks, Welsey Cotter, Makayla Miller and

Ella Flowers.

 

FARMYARD ANIMALS

Maya Flowers, Malinda Hodge, Isabella McMillion, Taryn P. and Cheryl Romine.

 

FISH

Cassie Pugh, Emily Meade, Isabella Cecil, Hannah Randolph, Olivia Ferguson, Taryn Pascoe, Maya Flowers, Aika Takahashi, Isabella McMillion and Malinda Hodge.

 

GOOSE SQUADRON

Cassie Pugh, Emily Meade, Isabella Cecil, Hannah Randolph, Olivia Ferguson, Taryn Pascoe, Maya Flowers, Cheryl Romine, Lily Vredingburgh and Emily Greer.

 

FROGLETS

Taryn P., Maya Flowers, Malinda Hodge, Isabella McMillion, Cheryl Romine, Lily Vredinburgh, Aika Takahashi, Emily Greer, Jenna Keefover, Shelby Whiteman, Caroline Fulks, Wesley Cotter, Makayla Miller, Ella Flowers, Cassie Pugh, Emily Meade, Isabella Cecil, Hannah Randolph and Olivia Ferguson.