Midland Center for the Arts Brings Mother Goose Stories to Life in HONK! The Musical 

Youth Theatre Production set to tackle bullying, tolerance and loving yourself

Students throughout the Great Lakes Bay region are gearing up to present Midland Center for the Arts’ latest Youth Theatre production, HONK! The Musical from February 23 – 26. HONK! tells a vibrant and updated version of the beloved Hans Christian Anderson story, The Ugly Duckling.

The musical is set in the countryside and features Ugly, a cygnet who is mistaken as an ugly duckling upon falling into his mother's nest. It soon becomes clear that he is no ordinary Duck. Mocked on the farmyard, pursued by the ever-hungry Cat, Ugly finds himself lost on a nearby marsh in the middle of a duck-shoot and embarks on an odyssey through the countryside, meeting a battery of colorful characters and finding himself, and love, along the way.

HONK! is written by Anthony Drewe with music by George Stiles. The Center production is directed by Claudia Marsh, with music direction from Erin Whitfield and Jenny Lowe, and choreography by Gloria Heye. With a tuneful score, witty lyrics and a book by the team that brought you Broadway's Mary Poppins, HONK! is sure to delight Midland audiences of all ages.

“HONK! carries a powerful message that has made this the perfect show for our local youth actors,” said director Claudia Marsh, “the musical’s messages of tolerance and acceptance ring true in today’s world and make coming into rehearsals both fun and enlightening for students.”

Midland Center will present a relaxed performance of HONK! on Saturday, February 25 at 3 PM. Relaxed experiences are designed for families with young children and individuals with sensory sensitivities, disabilities, and post-traumatic dress disorders. Relaxed performances feature the same content with some modifications, such as adjusted lighting and reduced loud noises. You can learn more about relaxed experiences at www.midlandcenter.org/relaxed.

Tickets are available online at www.midlandcenter.org, by calling (989) 631-8250 or visiting the box office located at 1801 W. St. Andrews Rd., Midland. 

HONK! is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). Theatre programs at Midland Center for the Arts are made possible in part through the generosity of Neil & Annmarie Hawkins.

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