Customer Reviews

Honk! (2001 Music Theatre of Wichita Cast)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A director called me up and asked me if I'd like the lead in Honk! He said before I made up my mind to give the CD a listen. By the end of track 6 I was in tears and by the end of the first act I called my director to set up a cold reading. By the time I finished the CD, I was outraged that the album was out of print. Apparently, there is a movie in the works, so that at least is something to be thankful for 'cuz that will definitely have a soundtrack. Highlights are "Different" , You Can Play With Your Food" , "Every Tear a Mother Cries" , "Wild Goose Chase" and "Now I've Seen You"

My son just did this musical with his youth theatre group, i've not heard of it until they announced it at a parent meeting, i must say it got great local reviews! My family and friends enjoyed it so much they came back the whole weekend they preformed the musical! I LOVE IT! if you've not heard the music yet, i strongly suggest you do so! The music is quite addictive, you'll be singing along before you know it!

After listening to this CD I suggested our youth theater group do this show a couple years ago.They thought I was crazy, (a show about the ugly duckling and a bunch of animals dressed as people?) but we did it, and everyone loved it.
This is a show that has many different levels, so it works for children and adults. Many counselors and teachers were pleased that they didn't have to sit through another show that was aimed only at a child's intellect.
The music can be a little tricky to perform, but well worth the effort. I can't tell you how many people told me they just couldn't stop humming the tunes.
The show was a big success for us, especially our school shows, which were sold out and we had to add an extra one. (A note: If you are planning to perform this show make sure you advertise that it won the Olivier award over the Lion King since it is unknown to most U.S. audiences)

Bought this not knowing anything about the production. Music is very addicting and cannot wait to perform it.

This digitally recorded album was created with the cast of Music Theatre of Wichita's 2001 production, with musical direction by Michael Lavine and the guidance of authors George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Unlike the two other HONK! albums (UK Scarborough cast and authors' concept recording) all songs on this disc are performed complete, reflecting the show's final performing edition, with full orchestral accompaniment. The album has been extremely well reviewed since its release.

Peter Filichia at TheaterMania said, "Congratulations ... for putting out a disc that sounds nice and crisp.... ['Warts and All' and 'Different'] are the two best songs from the tuneful score, but almost every other tune scores -- not to mention the cast doing them. Arthur W. Marks is beautiful as Ugly; Susan Hofflander is sincerely maternal as Ida; LaQuin Groves is exuberant as Bullfrog; and Josh Prince is hilarious as the nefarious Cat, who does indeed want to play with his food -- namely, Ugly... Get the album from [...] and see if you're not moved by it, too. I bet you will be."

Ken Mandelbaum at Broadway.com called it "a sweetly effective family piece, bright, clever, and tuneful. The lyrics are smart, the melodies (notably "Look at Him" and "The Joy of Motherhood") catchy, with a couple of real toe-tappers ("The Wild Goose Chase," "Warts and All")... This very appealing disc will serve as excellent promotion."

Max Preeo in ShowMusic wrote, "In Drewe's funny and pun-filled adaptation -- with the moral that it's alright to be "different" -- it is fine family fare, treading the narrow line between being accessible for children but with enough grown-up sensibility so adults can enjoy the fun, too. The songs are tuneful, with frequently witty lyrics eliciting chuckles that occasionally turn into guffaws. A couple are even heart-touching without being maudlin. All are performed with professionalism by the Wichita cast, with Arthur A. Marks a delight as Ugly ... John Cameron expanded his orchestrations to give this production and the recording a fuller sound, under the musical direction of Michael Lavine. Like the show, this cast album is perfect for those who would like to make musical theatre a familial experience."

Jonathan Franks at TalkinBroadway said, "In the newly available cast recording of the Music Theatre of Wichita's production from last summer, HONK! takes wing, offering as many pleasures to the adult ear as to the child's heart."

Lively and contageous, this musical is an instant classic. There are songs that are absolute misses, without question - but I challenge you to find a show that has every song right on the money! You can't do it. Look at him is a horrible song to reprise, but even so - very effective. The story is touching. The only problem is that the story follows to separate characters, making it frustrating to really fully dedicate to one. However, the conclusion to this beloved children's tale makes the following of two characters twice the joy. I have performed in this show twice, playing the role of Ugly. I have performed in more than ten professional, community, and eduational shows as the leading character, and an additional 10+ as a supporting lead, and out of all of them - this qualifies as one of my very favorites! Favorite songs include: "Different", "Play with your Food", "Every Tear a Mother Cries", "Hold Your Head up High (and the reprise too!)", "Now I've Seen You", and "Warts and All." Like musical theatre? You'll like this! It has a captivating quality to it that captures the audience's heart from the beginning to end with clever characters and funny lines for both children and adults. The humor for the adults is creatively disguised so younger kids won't understand the humor, but it keeps even middle-aged people involved. A show for all ages - this gives you something to Honk about.

I love this soundtrack! My son used it for practicing his roles as "Bob, the Bullfrog Bodyguard" (Warts and All/Look at Him Reprise/Warts and All Reprise), a goose (Wild Goose Chase) and owl (A Poultry Tale), and he and other cast members found it to be extremely beneficial for their roles. The play is being utilized more by community theater and grade schools, but hope it will make it into mainstream theater soon. It is easy to see why Mr. Stiles and Mr. Drewe won the UK equivalent of the US's Tony Award for their play due to their talent and imagination. Some of the songs are emotional in content with a few comedic punch lines added in, but all in all, this cd is totally entertaining! I recommend it for musical theater enthusiasts! Great soundtrack!

What a funny musical! I was in this play in Michigan, and I didn't think much of title at first. But as soon as the music hit my ears, I knew the crowd would love it. This recording is definitely a record that anyone who saw or is in the play should have. The vocals are amazing, as well as the music. I am pretty sure that this is the cd that people putting on HONK! would have. HONK! is a delightfully funny musical that any playgoer would enjoy.

This is one of the few available recordings of this musical. My girls loved it and learned their songs from it. What more can I say? It's Honk!

My daughter is in a production of "HONK!" in San Jose, CA. She is performing with the Childrens Musical Theater of San Jose. This CD has become a fixture in the car and has been great to help her learn all the words of all the songs.