Honk
at Irvine

Reviewed on February 5, 2016

Lexi Ginn
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Irvine's "HONK!" is Full of Heart

Irvine High School's enlightening performance of the musical "HONK!" highlights the importance of loving yourself, "Warts and All".

Based on the age-old fairy tale "The Ugly Duckling" by Hans Christian Andersen, Honk!, by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, follows the farmyard fairytale of a duckling that is considered unappealing by his community and is often mocked for being unusual. He wanders off and embarks on a journey filled with geese squadrons, a hungry cat, and a funky bullfrog, just so he can return home to his worried mother.

Irvine's unique production takes a heart-warming adventure with quirky characters, stunning vocals, and remarkable technical design to enchant every moment.

Stumbling on stage with a clumsy shuffle is Josh Hoover as the Ugly Duckling. His voice penetrates the theatre with an unexpectedly yet humorous loud "HONK!" in his grand entrance. Hoover expresses his naïve persona and hopefulness in the song "Hold Your Head Up High", as he waddles innocently, striding close to his mother, Ida. Portraying Ida is Samantha McCabe, who projects matronly manners with her melodious voice of concern, as she struggles to locate her lost boy.

Stalking from behind with desire in his eyes, as Ugly's foil, is the Cat, played by Aldo Rios. With his outstanding feline portrayal, Rios' sultry purr and smooth Spanish accent charms the duckling to joining him as his lunch. Hopping about coolly, the Bullfrog, played by Nicholas Eristravi, maintains a confident character as he and Hoover bounce around to his solo "Warts and All".

The technical aspects of the show play a magnificent part in creating the story. The set, designed by Eben Campus, varies radiant colors that compliment the shows bubbling cast. Make-up and hair, designed by Maya Brembilla, enhances the Cats character by spiking his hair into the illusion of two cat ears and giving him both a mustache and a goatee. Completing the musical's atmosphere is the orchestra. They create balance and tone from utilizing their soothing cello, their crisp trumpets, and their seductive saxophone to punctuate the critical scenes.

Irvine's performance of "HONK!" perfectly captures the theme of inner beauty and that it's okay to be different, even if you're the only swan in the pond.

Alice Chien
Northwood
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Irvine's 'Honk!' is heartwarmingly hilarious

Irvine High School presents a beautiful story of an ugly duckling in their musical ‘Honk!' through a journey about accepting others and tolerance.

Sauntering onstage with a careless demeanor, Nick Kessler greets his wife Ida as Drake as she makes preparations for her hatchlings and idly sits on them. His loose gestures and emphasized drawl serves to stress his neglectful fatherly tendencies, and Ida criticizes his habits as they stir up incipient anger within her.

Ida's (Samantha McCabe) eggs soon hatch, but one duckling shows a distinct difference. Contrasting the bright, canary-yellow feathers of his siblings, Ugly, played by Josh Hoover, breaks out of his nest clad in a shapeless and drab outfit. With his unnaturally tall stature and brash honk, Ugly finds himself excluded from the group; his clumsy walk exudes uncertainty. Ida consoles him with gentle strokes to his back, and they harmonize jovially in "Hold Your Head Up High."

Despite Ida's defensive words towards Ugly's bullies, Ugly soon disappears with the cunning Cat, played by Nicholas Eristavi, prompting worry in his mother, who clutches her hands anxiously in front as she belts and calls out for him expressively in "Every Tear A Mother Cries."

While Ida and the community search for Ugly, Cat tricks the naive duckling into following him to his kitchen where he plans to eat him. Slinking around Ugly and leaping dynamically onto furniture, Cat shows his flair for dramatics as he purrs lowly while holding strongly to his accent. Contrasting the rugged look of Cat is Queenie, the domesticated cat played by Grace Simmons that exchanges her prim and proper nature for a feisty one in "Together," where the two cats engage in an intense tango.

The outstanding performances are highlighted with several technical aspects of the musical. The phenomenal pit deals out crescendos that emphasizes crises; saxophone and flute solos accentuate the jazzy Cat and graceful ballet dancers respectively.

Utilizing space, Eben Campus and Isabelle Dearaujo's detailed sets place characters among rolling hills and tranquil lakes reflected on the tall grass. Sliding platforms allow for the creation of several locations, and the usage of a tinsel curtain cast in blue tones for underwater scenes complements the sequined costumes of the aquatic creatures.

With one part comedy and one part sentiment, Irvine explores the importance of individuality in the musical retelling of the classic fairy tale.

Katie Van Horn
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Irvine puts on an eggcellent production of Honk!

Honk!, at Irvine High School tells the delightful and classic story of how an ugly little duckling became a swan.

Ugly, the lovable misfit of the group is played by Josh Hoover. Hoover hilariously utilizes his height to add even more diversity and charm to his adorably clumsy character. Towards the beginning of the show Hoover portrays Ugly's shy and frightened personality, but as the story progresses, one sees a major shift in his physicality and vocal quality, indicating that Ugly has grown to be a beautiful swan, comfortable in his own skin.

Ugly's mother Ida is played by the elegant Samantha McCabe. Her strong, beautiful singing voice adds to Ida's motherly character. McCabe is able to quickly shift her character from soft and nurturing, when speaking to Ugly, to strict and authoritative, when scolding the other ducklings. Ida's desperation while searching for her son is also shown in McCabe's furrowed brows and hand wringing. Her most expressive moments however, are revealed when she sings.

The villain of this tale, Cat, is played by the dashingly malicious Aldo Rios. His dynamic feline character is manifested through smooth, cat-like crouching paired with quick, agile movements. Whether Rios is purring or rubbing his hands together mischievously, he always manages to steal a laugh. Rios brings out Cat's more sensual side when he meets the elegant domesticated cat Queenie, played by Grace Simmons. Their entrancing salsa dance during the song "Together" perfectly melds Simmons' incredible dance ability with Rios' feisty personality.

Another standout character is Bullfrog, played by Nicholas Eristavi. His strong and melodious speaking voice paired with goofy physicality adds even more charm to the already endearing character of Bullfrog. Estravi's constantly bent knees and engaged movement intensifies his amphibious character as well as adding enormous energy to the stage.

Bringing together the magic of the story is gorgeously designed and painted set, created by Eben Campus. A vivid use of colors create the mountains and rivers and the brilliant use of greens and golds form the grass. Also helping to set the mood of the story is the wonderfully talented orchestra. Each instrument is incorporated in such a beautiful way and creates different moods and settings.

Irvine High School manages to bring even more joy to the delightful tale of Honk!.