DETROIT - On June 19, 2012 the Hilberry Theatre will present Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, an adaptation by Ric Averill, as its annual family play. Children and adults have 11 opportunities to experience The Ugly Duckling with performances beginning at 10:30 a.m. on June 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29 and July 5, 6, and 7. The performance on July 3 is sold out.
Tickets are $5 for children, $8 for adults and $5 per ticket for groups of 10 or more. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Hilberry Theatre Box Office at 313-577-2972, online at www.hilberry.com, or by visiting the box office at 4743 Cass Ave. on the corner of Cass Ave. and Hancock.
The Ugly Duckling follows Udrich, who is, without a doubt, ugly. But is he really an ugly duck? Follow this lonely fellow as he searches for his identity and tries to become a turkey, a goose, a dog, a cat, a hen and even a human child. Only after a full year of danger and growth does the gentle Udrich find his place and his happiness.
An inspired interpretation of this timeless tale of acceptance, the actors of The Ugly Duckling will portray students wearing masks, acting out the story onstage in front of an imaginative painting-as-backdrop that transforms to meet the needs of the story’s action.
The cast includes Michael Fisher as Drake, Dog, and Man, Assata Haki as Neighbor 1, Turkey, and Hen, Sydney Machesky as Sibling Duck 2 and Swan 1, Julia Moriarty as Mother Duck, Topher Payne as Boy, Old Woman, Child and Danielle Simonian as Sibling Duck 1, Goose, and Swan 2. All cast members will take turns playing the role of Udrich, the Ugly Duckling.
The creative team includes Aaron Westlake and Nancy Florkowski (Co-Directors), Veronica Zahn (Production Stage Manager), Regina Spain (Scenic Designer/Properties Designer), Fred Florkowski (Technical Director), Mary Leyendecker (Costume Designer), Tyler Ezell (Lighting Designer), Amy Schneider (Sound Designer), and Patrick Pozezinski (Publicity Manager).
Group discounts are also available. For more information, please call 313-577-2972 or visit the Wayne State University Theatre Box Office at 4743 Cass Ave. on the corner of Cass Ave. and Hancock, Detroit, MI 48202. The summer Box Office hours are Tuesday – Friday from 10 – 2 p.m. The box office will be open one hour prior to all performances. Performance information and tickets may also be obtained by visiting the Theatre's websites at www.hilberry.com.
The Ugly Duckling is produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.
The Ugly Duckling
Adapted by Ric Averill.
From Hans Christian Andersen
Performance Breakdown:
June 19 – July 7, 2012
Tues. 10:30 a.m. June 19
Wed. 10:30 a.m. June 20
Thurs. 10:30 a.m. June 21
Fri. 10:30 a.m. June 22
Tues. 10:30 a.m. June 26
Wed. 10:30 a.m. June 27
Thurs. 10:30 a.m. June 28
Fri. 10:30 a.m. June 29
Tues. 10:30 a.m. July 3 - SOLD OUT
Thurs. 10:30 a.m. July 5
Fri. 10:30 a.m. July 6
Sat. 10:30 a.m. July 7
Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 400 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students.