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Heidi Cox and Corey Hardy rehearse a scene for the Middletown Lyric Theatre's production of "Honk."
Lyric Theatre goes ‘Honk’ for season debut
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By Eric Robinette,
Staff Writer
2:23 PM Wednesday, September 16, 2009
If Middletown Lyric Theatre’s first show of the season has a message, it might be “Honk if you love ducklings.”
On Thursday, Sept. 24, the community theater opens “Honk,” a musical version of the famed “Ugly Duckling” fable. The musical is written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and directed by Janet Powell, a newcomer not only to Lyric Theatre, but to directing community theater.
However, Powell, who lives in Monroe, is not new to “Honk,” having directed the show for Norwood High School in 2002.
“I love this show. It’s definitely in the top 10 of my favorite shows. It pulls pieces of others musicals that avid theatergoers would particularly like,” Powell said.
“Honk” has its own original songs, but also uses snatches of songs or scenes from shows like “Pippin,” “Into the Woods” and “Bye Bye Birdie.” It even makes use of the Canadian national anthem.
It’s not just the musical pastiche that makes “Honk,” it’s the story, she said. In this version, Ugly gets separated from his home and is pursued by the hungry Cat, but finally manages to find someone who sees him for who he really is.
“It sends the message out to people that it’s OK to be different. Behind an ugly facade there can be an absolutely beautiful person,” Powell said.
Considering the themes of love and family, it’s fitting that a real-life mother and daughter have been cast in the show: Brenda and Heidi Cox of Middletown.
Brenda, the mother, play’s Ugly’s mom, and Heidi plays Ugly’s love interest, Penny.
“It’s all the worse because I’m (Heidi’s) mother and a mother-in-law all at the same time,” Brenda said with a laugh.
With quite a bit of experience as a mother under her belt, Brenda related to her character quite easily.
“I stand by (Ugly) and I stand up for him ... I’m the straight woman for everybody’s fun stuff,” she said.
Heidi, in playing Penny, took cues from another purveyor of classic fairy tales.
“She’s as sweet as possible. I’m taking my cue from Disney princesses. And I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy wearing a pretty dress,” she said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.
How to go
WHAT: “Honk”
WHEN: 7:15 p.m. Sept. 24, 8 p.m. Sept. 25 and 26, 3 p.m. Sept. 27
WHERE: Middletown Lyric Theatre, 1530 Central Ave.
COST: $15 (513) 425-7140
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