DUCKLINGS
Beaky, Fluff, Billy, Downy are Ugly's siblings - cute little kid types. They are among the "popular" ones in the duck yard who enjoy making Ugly feel left out. They sing as a group.
UGLY
The ugly duckling and the main character. Innocent, easily confused and very impressionable, Ugly doesn't understand why it is wrong being different. However, his insecurities melt away as his character gradually changes from a gullible duckling to a wise swan, filled with self-esteem. He is the heart and soul of the show. He must be a strong singer and good actor.
Gender: Male
Vocal range: D4-F5
IDA
Ugly's mom. Ida is extremely protective of her son and committed to his safety. She is sweet but feisty, and she knows how to handle her husband, Drake. After Ugly is lured away from the barnyard by the Cat, Ida is determined to find him. Ida and Ugly's relationship is a key ingredient of the show. She is the one who teaches him that it is OK to be different. Ida sings several solos, and therefore she should have a strong soprano singing voice.
Gender: Female
Vocal range: F4-A5
DRAKE
Ida's husband. Drake is
DUCKLINGS
Beaky, Fluff, Billy, Downy are Ugly's siblings - cute little kid types. They are among the "popular" ones in the duck yard who enjoy making Ugly feel left out. They sing as a group.
UGLY
The ugly duckling and the main character. Innocent, easily confused and very impressionable, Ugly doesn't understand why it is wrong being different. However, his insecurities melt away as his character gradually changes from a gullible duckling to a wise swan, filled with self-esteem. He is the heart and soul of the show. He must be a strong singer and good actor.
Gender: Male
Vocal range: D4-F5
IDA
Ugly's mom. Ida is extremely protective of her son and committed to his safety. She is sweet but feisty, and she knows how to handle her husband, Drake. After Ugly is lured away from the barnyard by the Cat, Ida is determined to find him. Ida and Ugly's relationship is a key ingredient of the show. She is the one who teaches him that it is OK to be different. Ida sings several solos, and therefore she should have a strong soprano singing voice.
Gender: Female
Vocal range: F4-A5
DRAKE
Ida's husband. Drake is a sarcastic character. He is the stereotypical sitcom father - often shirking his parental duties. Drake finds Ugly quite repulsive and isn't afraid to say it to anyone, including his wife. He should have good comic timing and a strong singing voice. Drake opens the show singing "A Poultry Tale."
Gender: Male
Vocal range: A3-F5
MAUREEN
A moorhen and Ida's best friend. (Originally found on the moors, a moorhen is a hen that lives near the water.) Maureen genuinely loves Ida, but she can't resist a bit of good gossip. To the little ducklings, she is the typical annoying and overly affectionate "aunt." Maureen sings "The Joy of Motherhood" with Ida, so she should also be a strong singer.
Gender: Female
Vocal range: G#4-C#5
THE CAT
The sly, cunning villain of the show. All of the other animals are deathly afraid of him. He is manipulative, cunning, witty and above all, HUNGRY. The Cat pretends to be Ugly's friend so he can eat him. The actor playing this role (which could be played by a male or a female) should bring a sense of fun to the character and have a good sense of comic timing. He sings a few songs, but his character allows for many of the lyrics to be "talk-sung." Improv skills are a plus.
Gender: Both
Vocal range: A3-Eb5
GREYLAG
A somewhat pompous goose and washed-up British military type, Greylag tends to over glorify his mundane activities (i.e. migrating South) to the level of military operation status. Only his wife, Dot, truly knows how to handle him. He sings a solo in "Wild Goose Chase."
Gender: Male
Vocal range: A4-C5
DOT
A motherly type, she is genuinely concerned with helping Ugly find his mother. Dot doesn't think that Greylag, her husband, is an entirely capable leader, but she kindly humors his "over the top" actions. She sings solo as well as with Greylag in "Wild Goose Chase." Good singer.
Gender: Female
BARNACLES
A goose in Greylag's "squad." Barnacles joins in singing "Wild Goose Chase." Good singer.
Gender: Both
SNOWY
A goose in Greylag's "squad." Snowy joins in singing "Wild Goose Chase." Good singer.
Gender: Both
PINKFOOT
A goose in Greylag's "squad." Pinkfoot joins in singing "Wild Goose Chase." Good singer.
Gender: Both
THE BULLFROG
A laidback, self-confident frog with whom Ugly comes into contact in the second half of the show. The frog cheers Ugly up with his/her song, "Warts and All." Optimistic and funny, he/she is a stand-up comedian type of character well-suited to someone with good improvisational sills and comic timing. This role can be played by a male or female.
Gender: Both
Vocal range: A3-F5
PENNY
The young, beautiful swan that Ugly saves from a tangled fishing net. She is able to see beyond Ugly's looks and she loves him for who he is. She does not sing solo.
Gender: Female
FATHER SWAN
Penny's family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has died, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate. They do not sing solos.
Gender: Male
MOTHER SWAN
Penny's family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has died, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate. They do not sing solos.
Gender: Female
BERWICK
Penny's family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has died, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate. They do not sing solos.
Gender: Both
GRACE
The most distinguished duck on the lake. Very aristocratic, she is considered the queen of the duck yard. All of the other animals look up to Grace and respect her. She, of course, is quite aware of this and is therefore a little bit haughty.
Gender: Female
THE TURKEY
The headmaster of the ducklings' school. The Turkey is a bit snobbish and joins in the fun of teasing Ugly. There is of course one word that send shivers down his spine - THANKSGIVING! The Turkey does not sing solo.
Gender: Male
HENRIETTA
A hen and another of Maureen's friends. Henrietta and Maureen gossip about the goings on in the duck yard. She takes great pleasure in making fun of Ugly. Henrietta does not sing solo.
Gender: Female
JAY BIRD
An investigative reporter. A very "in your face" bird, all she/he cares about is getting a good story. She/He is the typical TV news personality who one would find on a reality TV show like "America's Most Wanted." She/He reports a story about Ugly's disappearance. Note: If this character is played by a female, the name can be changed to "Maggie Pie."
Gender: Both
THE FARMER
The only humans in the show. They are never seen by the audience, only their voices are heard. These voices may be pre-recorded or said live from backstage during the show.
Gender: Both
BOY
The only humans in the show. They are never seen by the audience, only their voices are heard. These voices may be pre-recorded or said live from backstage during the show.
Gender: Male
GIRL
The only humans in the show. They are never seen by the audience, only their voices are heard. These voices may be pre-recorded or said live from backstage during the show.
Gender: Female
ENSEMBLE
The remaining actors in the company play a number of different roles. Throughout the action of the play they take on roles as barn yard animals, geese, children at play, froglets, and part of the Blizzard scene.
Gender: Both