Youngstown Playhouse does things differently for musical "HONK!"


By GUY D’ASTOLFO

dastolfo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The message of “Honk!” is that it’s OK to be different.

With that in mind, the Youngstown Playhouse will present the musical in a way that defies the norm.

Children and adults, including some with physical and mental disabilities, are mixed in to the gigantic 30-person cast as singers and dancers.

Director Bernie Appugliese said the production takes nontraditional casting to a new level. It also introduces youngsters to the main stage as something other than playing children in an adult play.

“We have every type of human you can imagine,” said Appugliese. “Some in wheelchairs, or with autism, and from age 6 to 70.”

“Honk!” premiered on the West End in 2000 and won Best Musical that year. In recent years, it has become a staple in schools and community theaters.

But though Appugliese’s all-inclusive approach embraces the spirit of the piece, it has not been routinely applied at other theaters. To find the cast, he didn’t do anything except note in audition announcements that people with disabilities are welcome.

“Fifty showed up,” said Appugliese. “It was beautiful.”

Putting up the show has been a wonderful experience, he added. “It’s a nonmonetary reward watching them realize that they can do this,” said Appugliese, who noted that many in the cast are making their stage debut.

“That’s what community theater is about,” he said. “Saying ‘I think I can do this’ and getting off the couch and auditioning, and then somebody giving them a chance.”

Created by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, “Honk!” is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved tale “The Ugly Duckling.”

As is typical for Appugliese, the Playhouse’s “Honk!” will be a grand production with an oversized cast, multiple sets — designed by Jim Lybarger — and big musical numbers.

The director calls it the perfect family musical.

“It finds that middle ground,” said Appugliese. “Parents aren’t cringing as they watch it, and the kids aren’t not understanding it.”

The Playhouse is presenting “Honk!” in its holiday slot even though it’s not a Christmas- season play.

Appugliese explains why it fits.

“The message is one that we only seem to remember at the holidays,” he said. “It’s time to donate, be nice, volunteer at the mission, drop something in the red kettle. Then the holidays go away and we forget that feeling.

“This show is that feeling.”

Appugliese has some extra insight into the show. Years ago, he attended a seminar in Chicago by the creators of “Honk!” and was able to pick their brain. He also once directed a production of the musical “Hans Christian Andersen” that used similarly nontraditional actors.

Leading the cast of the Playhouse’s “Honk!” is Jailon Perry as Ugly, Connie Cassidy as Ida, Christopher Hager as Drake, and Snezana Jelic as The Cat.” Local theater veterans Terry Shears, Renee Johntony and Stacy Anderson also are featured.

Musical direction is by Matthew White, with choreography by Carrie Mazzucco.

An art show will be displayed in the Playhouse lobby in conjunction with “Honk,” featuring works by students from McGuffey Elementary School, Stambaugh Charter Academy and East and Chaney high schools.

A performance for area school children Wednesday morning is expected to draw more than 400 students.

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