Honk The musical

[Finn8]

Just a General question....what’s everyone’s opinion on honk? My school just announced their doing it and I don’t know too much about it and there’s not much information if it’s good or not.

Thanks 

[Broadway Bob*]

I directed this show a few years ago. It's a charming and fun show with a catchy score and some fun character roles to play. You should have a great time doing it!

[persephone88]

It's cute. It's basically the Ugly Duckling story. The mother duck has the sentimental role. "Ugly" is the innocent, plucky, wide eyed lead the audience roots for. The villain, the Cat, is a fun showy part with one big solo. The Bullfrog, who is only in one scene, I believe, has a great number. It's a good show for younger kids and for schools.

[dramamama611]

Meh. I did it once at my middle school and the kids liked it well enough...but, personally, I wouldnt ask my high schoolers to tolerate it, but thats going to vary a great deal with each community.

[CATSNYrevival]

Broadway Bob got it right. It’s charming. The West End production ended up winning the Olivier Award for best musical over successful shows like Mamma Mia! and The Lion King.

[John Adams]

CATSNYrevival said: "Broadway Bob got it right. It’s charming."

I agree, and I think "charming" is an especially apt description. There's nothing big or flashy, the score is Stiles and Drew; Mary Poppins (they did the additional music) that most know, but also some very nice, but lesser known scores like SoHo Cinders and Betty Blue Eyes. As CATSNY kind of hinted at, Stiles and Drew get more notice in the West End (and off-West End) than they do on Broadway

For my tastes, I've put Stiles and Drew shows in the same category I did with She Loves Me before it finally earned its recent, overdue and well-deserved respect via its last Broadway revival. I like holding them in my collection of scores as 'unknown gems'.

Besides its score, Honk! also is a wide open door for creativity in its costuming, sets, and actors' characterizations. The major theme of the show is pretty elementary (I'm just different - I only want to get along), but so is Evan Hanson.

Somewhere on the Interwebs, there's a site with the theme, "If you can't do this show, then do this one instead..." I think Honk! might fit in that vein: "If you can't do Evan Hanson, then do Honk! instead".

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Honk is cute and fun - not bad by any means - but I certainly wouldn’t call it “high art” (not that it tries to be). You’ll likely enjoy it.

[stoptheworld38]

I was in it in a community production in middle school and it was some of the most fun I’ve ever had. The story and songs are cute and funny but at the same time it has important, inspiring messages.