The Holmesburg-based Star Players, of the city Department of Parks and Recreation, are getting ready for three productions of Honk! The Ugly Duckling Musical.
Show times are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, May 30-31, and Sunday, June 1, at Venice Island Performing Arts Center, 7 Lock St., in Manayunk.
Honk! is a musical adaptation of the 1843 Hans Christian Andersen story The Ugly Duckling. The musical debuted in England in the 1990s.
Ugly is a swan mistaken as an ugly duckling shunned for his odd appearance. His mom, Ida, shows love for her son.
Dominic Padla, 15, has been in four other Star Players shows, but this is his first time playing a lead character, though he had a main role in Anything Goes.
“I really like this part. I really like the character,” he said.
Padla said the cast is a good one.
“Everyone fits their role,” he said.
Annie Ehly plays Ida.
“It’s a sweet role. I’m a mother,” she said.
This is Ehly’s fourth show with Star Players, and she likes that the group is close on stage and off.
“It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s an outlet for people. You get to know new people.”
This is the 22nd show for Sharon Gabriele-Slentz, who is the choreographer and has a role in Honk!
“It’s a really good show. The dancing and acting are looking great and the singing is sounding great,” she said. “We are one big family and work well together.”
Bill Arthur is directing the 34-person show and makes a cameo as Bullfrog. State Rep. Joe Hohenstein is also part of the show. For the Star Players, this is the 25th show over 13 years. Mary Poppins is next, in October.
Arthur was part of another group’s production of Honk! in 2005.
“It’s really fun. Kids play kids. Adults play adults. It’s a perfect fit,” he said. “It’s a cool show.” ••
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Group rates are available. Tickets can be purchased on Venmo @TheStarplayers or at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. For more information, follow @starplayersPPR on X, like the group’s page on Facebook or contact director Bill Arthur at 215-685-8714 or [email protected].
