Elm Street Presents "Honk!" July 12 in Woodstock

WOODSTOCK, GA -- "Honk!," a musical based on Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved tale, “The Ugly Duckling,” opens July 12 at Elm Street Cultural Arts Village City Center Stage in downtown Woodstock.

This high-energy musical comedy tells the story of Ugly, the duckling who is born into ridicule and loneliness because he is different. From the moment Ugly breaks out of his unusually large egg, his father and siblings will have nothing to do with him. Some of the other waterfowl whisper among themselves that some eggs are best left unhatched.

Even the love of his loyal mother is not enough to keep Ugly in the duck yard, and when he follows a treacherous cat into worlds unknown, he will need to brave untold dangers before he can find happiness, love, and the beauty of his true self.

“This show is a great summer treat for the entire family,” said director Christi Whitney. “The music is lively and memorable; the dialogue is witty and fun, the characters are hilarious, and there is a lovely mix of tenderness and silliness.”

Continuing Elm Street’s mission of engaging the community, "Honk!" is partnering with the Cherokee Day Training Center as community partner of the show. Members from the center will be attending performances to help with ticket-taking and greeting guests, all in efforts to express the message of the show: tolerance of our differences and the acceptance of all.

The show runs July 12-26, with performances at 10 a.m. Wednesdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 at the door. The show is rated PG. For more information or purchase tickets, visit www.elmstreetarts.org.

Photo 1: Ugly is just a little different from his siblings (Chase Arabia as Ugly, and Hayes Welch, Dakota Youngblood, Alaina Parman, and Alex Overcah as the Ducklings).

Photo 2: Ida dotes on Ugly, her special duckling (Sarah Fechter as Ida and Chase Arabia as Ugly).

Photo 3: Drake and Ida eagerly await the hatching of the last egg (Joshua Quantock as Drake and Sarah Fechter as Ida).

Photo 4: Ugly feels left out of the perfect family photo (Joshua Quantock as Drake, Sarah Fechter as Ida, Chase Arabia as Ugly, and Hayes Welch, Dakota Youngblood, Alaina Parman, and Alex Overcah as the Ducklings).

Photo credits: Elm Street Cultural Arts Village