Rick Gunn/Nevada Appeal Danita Bayer, left, portrays Bullfrog while Jacob Linstrom portrays Ugly during a dress rehearsal of 'Honk! Jr.' Tuesday evening at the Brewery Arts Center.
Carson High School senior Domenic Procaccini II, affectionately called 'Dom,' sits in the back of the Brewery Arts Center theater with his eyes glued to the junior actors on stage in "Honk! Jr."
Dom laughs at the dramatic glances his actors throw to the audience, such as a devilish smile from the Cat or an obtuse roll of the eyes from the Drake. Procaccini's voice often attempts to carry the chorus through a hard part and get them to the other side of the song with a little more verve.
Procaccini says he loves working with kids - there's about 50 of them in his production - even though he's not much more than a kid himself. This is his full-length play directorial debut, and the pieces are coming together.
Working with theater kids is perhaps his telltale test for life outside this black box. A former BAC Stage Kid himself, Procaccini will travel to Chicago on Feb. 5 for college auditions into musical theater.
But until then, Procaccini yells at his actors to pick up a stool that fell over or to help a young actress who got herself stuck in a barrel. Other times he depresses a button on a handheld walkie talkie and gives stage directions over the airwaves. Sometimes they listen, sometimes not.
"It's fun working with the kids," he says after a dress rehearsal this week. "It's one of the funniest things in the whole world. I didn't have kids close to my age, growing up, so I see it as revisiting my childhood. I've worked with kids and adults and sometimes working with kids is easier. Adults can act even more childish."
"Honk! Jr." is a revisionist tale of the "Ugly Duckling."
One duckling is born looking a lot different than all his sisters. One day Ugly, played by Jacob Linstrom, gets separated from his family, most of whom torment him for his looks. His mother, played by a 1950s-frocked Tessa Dixon, goes out into the wide world to find Ugly and bring him home. Once Ugly molts, the farm decides he's not ugly anymore. Ugly the Swan becomes the king of the lake.
Kids will like the humor and stylish wit of the Cat (Karissa Pulizzotto) who has a pink hat cocked on her head, red fingernail polish and drips with jewels. Her practiced jazz steps and coquettish voice makes her one of the BAC Stage kids to watch.
Small children will also enjoy the ducklings, played by Olivia Abbott, Abby Brown, Heather Canfield and Kora Link, as they harass and demean their ugly brother in a way that kids will recognize because they've either been the tormented or are the tormentor.
Danita Bayer and Nathanael Williams play the frogs who try and make Ugly realize his worth while hopping around in polka-dot costumes. Ugly is truly "ugly" in argyle socks, a concierge-like vest and plaid shorts.
Costume designer Darla Bayer succeeded in giving animal characteristics to the human actors without the typical furry-eared, long-tailed costumes. Look for the lamb who is "coming unraveled."
Parents have a golden opportunity with this play to remind their children that being different doesn't make someone Ugly, and that true beauty only comes through self discovery.
Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.
IF YOU GO
What: "Honk! Jr.," a revisionist tale of the "Ugly Duckling."
When: 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Also 7 p.m. Jan. 28-29 and 2 p.m. Jan. 29-30
Where: Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St.
Tickets: $8 general admission; students, seniors, children, BAC members $5. Children 5 and under are free.
Call: 883-1976
