The Ugly Duckling Doesn't Quack

Written by William Morgan, Pat Robertelli-Morgan, Iosif Schneiderman

Directed by William Morgan

Produced by: SignStage & Academy for the Performing Arts at Chagrin Falls High School Performing Arts Center

September 14/15 at 7:30 pm & September 16 at 2:30 pm

When the Ugly Duckling is born, he doesn’t look like his sister or the other ducks. When he tries to quack, he doesn’t sound like his sister or any other creature in the woods. Not only does the Ugly Duckling look different, he sounds different too. That’s because the Ugly Duckling is deaf. With the help of a local farm wife, he discovers that sound creates vibrations and he sets off to find his way in the world. He travels to the “big city” where he encounters many things that “vibrate”. He also makes friends with a Dog who saves him from a sneaky Fox. When the Dog discovers the Ugly Duckling is deaf he takes him home to his owner because she is Hard of Hearing and she teaches ALL her pets Sign Language. Unfortunately, the Ugly Duckling is still not happy. He’s discontent in the cold weather and feels the need to travel south. When he re-appears in the spring he’s a new man with a new look. This production is performed in American Sign Language and spoken English simultaneously. It includes many elements of story theatre where characters narrate while the acting ensemble performs in easily understood mime and gestures.