Brundage Park Playhouse is proud to announce its upcoming auditions for the musical Honk! JR at the playhouse on Carrell Road in Randolph.
Audition Dates:
- Thursday September 21 from 7PM to 9PM or
- Saturday September 23 from 2:30PM to 5:30PM
- Saturday September 30 from 1PM to 4PM
Honk! JR
Music by George Stiles
Lyrics & Book by Anthony Drewe
Directed by Liz Rosato with Anna Gelpke
Open call auditions for young performers aged 8 to 17. Prepare a 16 to 32 bar cut of a song from the show or a musical theater piece of your choice. Please bring a device to play a track to accompany you or be prepared to sing A Capella. There will be no accompanist. Sides will be provided at the audition. Callbacks and dance auditions will be held on Wednesday September 27th at 6PM. No appointment necessary for auditions.
Please provide a headshot and resume, if available. Rehearsals will take place 3 times a week, usually consisting of two weekdays and one weekend day. All auditions must be available for the entirety of tech week (November 26th-November 30th) and for all performance dates.
For questions about auditions please email [email protected].
Performance Dates:
- December 1 and 8 at 7 pm
- December 2, 3, 9, 10 at 2 pm
Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, Honk! JR tells the story of an odd-looking baby duck, Ugly, and his quest to find his mother. Soon after Ugly is born, he is seduced away by a wily Cat who wants to eat Ugly for dinner. Eventually, Ugly manages to escape but has no idea how to return home.
Characters:
Characters:
All Roles Open – any role may be performed by an actor of any gender
The Ducklings
Beaky, Fluff, Billy, Downy are Ugly’s siblings – cute little kid types. They are among the “popular” ones in the duck yard who enjoy making Ugly feel left out. They sing as a group.
Ugly
The ugly duckling and the main character of HONK! JR. Innocent easily confused and very impressionable, Ugly doesn’t understand why it is wrong to be different. However, his insecurities melt away as his character gradually changes from a gullible duckling to a wise swan, filled with self-esteem. He is the heart and soul of the show. He must be a strong singer and good actor.
Ida
Ugly’s mom. Ida is extremely protective of her son and committed to his safety. She is sweet but feisty, and she knows how to handle her husband, Drake. After Ugly is lured away from the barnyard by the Cat, Ida is determined to find him. Ida and Ugly’s relationship are a key ingredient of the show. She is the one who teaches him that it is OK to be different. Ida sings several solos, and therefore she should have a strong soprano singing voice.
Drake
Ida’s husband. Drake is a sarcastic character. He is the stereotypical sitcom father – often shirking his parental duties. Drake finds Ugly quite repulsive and isn’t afraid to say it to anyone, including his wife. He should have good comic timing and a strong singing voice. Drake opens the show singing “A Poultry Tale.”
Maureen
A moorhen and Ida’s best friend. (Originally found on the moors, a moorhen is a hen that lives near the water.) Maureen genuinely loves Ida, but she can’t resist a bit of good gossip. To the little ducklings, she is the typical annoying and overly affectionate “aunt.” Maureen sings “The Joy of Motherhood” with Ida, so she should also be a strong singer.
The Cat
The sly, cunning villain of the show. All of the other animals are deathly afraid of him. He is manipulative, cunning, witty and above all, HUNGRY. The Cat pretends to be Ugly’s friend so he can eat him. The actor playing this role (which could be played by a male or a female) should bring a sense of fun to the character and have a good sense of comic timing. He sings a few songs, but his character allows for many of the lyrics to be “talk-sung.” Improv skills are a plus.
Greylag
A somewhat pompous goose and washed-up British military type, Greylag tends to over glorify his mundane activities (i.e. migrating South) to the level of military operation status. Only his wife, Dot, truly knows how to handle him. He sings a solo in “Wild Goose Chase.”
Dot
A motherly type, she is genuinely concerned with helping Ugly find his mother. Dot doesn’t think that Greylag, her husband, is an entirely capable leader, but she kindly humors his “over the top” actions. She sings solo as well as with Greylag in “Wild Goose Chase.” Good singer.
Geese: Branacles, Snowy, Pinkfoot – The geese in Greylag’s “squad.” They join in singing “Wild Goose Chase.” Good singers.
The Bullfrog
A laidback, self-confident frog with whom Ugly comes into contact in the second half of the show. The frog cheers Ugly up with his/her song, “Warts and All.” Optimistic and funny, he/she is a stand-up comedian type of character well suited to someone with good improvisational skills and comic timing.
Penny
The young, beautiful swan that Ugly saves from a tangled fishing net. She sees beyond Ugly’s looks and she loves him for who he is. She does not sing solo.
Father Swan
Penny’s family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has dies, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate. They do not sing solos.
Mother Swan
Penny’s family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has dies, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate. They do not sing solos.
Berwick
Penny’s family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has dies, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate. They do not sing solos.
Grace
The most distinguished duck on the lake. Very aristocratic, she is considered the queen of the duck yard. All of the other animals look up to Grace and respect her. She, of course, is quite aware of this and is therefore a little bit haughty.
The Turkey
The headmaster of the ducklings’ school. The Turkey is a bit snobbish and joins in the fun of teasing Ugly. There is of course one word that sends shivers down his spine – THANKSGIVING! The Turkey does not sing solo.
Henrietta
A hen and another of Maureen’s friends. Henrietta and Maureen gossip about the goings on in the duck yard. She takes great pleasure in making fun of Ugly. Henrietta does not sing solo.
Jay Bird
An investigative reporter. A very “in your face” bird, all she/he cares about is getting a good story. She/He is the typical TV news personality who one would find on a reality TV show like “America’s Most Wanted.” She/He reports a story about Ugly’s disappearance. Note: If this character is played by a female, the name can be changed to “Maggie Pie.”
The Farmer /Boy/Girl
The only humans in the show. They are never seen by the audience, only their voices are heard. These voices may be pre-recorded or said live from backstage during the show.
Ensemble
The remaining actors in the company play a number of different roles. Throughout the play they take on roles as barn yard animals, geese, children at play, froglets, and part of the Blizzard scene.