Yes, it’s Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless story adapted to an award-winning musical, with Christian Youth Theater in El Cajon staging this particular rendition. Director Bethany Allen has assembled a talented cast for it, led by Sean Cabuchola as Ugly. Sean can sing, dance and juggle, and do it all with a nice understated humor. He also really gives the show a lot of heart, gaining our sympathy as he keeps trying to find his place and find love amongst those who see him as different. 

Or as food. Enter the Cat, with Kevin McDonald giving a fantastic performance as the dastardly cat you love to hate, who is more than willing to end Ugly’s misery once and for all by preparing for himself some duck a l’orange. But not so fast, cat. There are some out there who want to help. Most importantly his mother, with Meagan Flint as the loving, steadfast Ida, imbuing the role with motherly tenderness, humor, and gorgeous vocals highlighted by her teary pleading for her Ugly’s return in Every Tear A Mother Cries. While Patrick Gates amusingly plays Ugly’s slightly less caring and steadfast father, making it clear right away that this character isn’t going to be singing Every Tear a Father Cries anytime soon. Rounding out the family are Ugly’s normal, and charmingly bratty, little brothers and sisters played by TJ Kendrick, Cara Filley, Dallas Perry, and Camryn Burton, making it clear they won’t be singing Every Tear a Sibling Cries anytime soon.

Elsewhere, Bobby Albright is a hoot as the pompous British goose Greylag who embarrasses his poor wife (Catherine Jones) as he prepares to lead his troops in search of Ugly’s mother by going on a Wild Goose Chase. Kirby Tankersley is the flirty kitty Queenie who’s on the prowl for the bad, old tom Cat, with Jenna Bailey as Queenie’s jealous long-time companion chicken Lowbutt who will always be there when Queenie’s flirtations have run their course (ready with a ball of yarn to comfort her sad Queenie), the two of them doing a splendid job with their characterizations. When not being Ugly’s lazy father, Patrick Gates is a bit more emotionally helpful to Ugly as a nerdy standup-comedian Bullfrog who teaches Ugly that someone’s gonna love him Warts And All, all backed by a great ensemble of little froglets who, under KC Grulli-Miller’s cleverly fun choreography, end up tapping in flippers and doing a little hip-hop dancing.

Performed February 27 - March 8, 2009.

Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre