September 14-30, 2012
Duck for President
Based on the book by Doreen Cronin & Betsy Lewin
Written by James E. Grote, Music by George Howe
This award-winning team returns with a sequel to Click, Clack, Moo. Duck is tired of doing his chores (mowing the lawn and grinding the coffee beans), and decides to hold an election to replace Farmer Brown. When he wins, Duck quickly realizes that running a farm requires too much hard work, and sets out to run for governor. With the help of the hens, and speeches "that only other ducks can understand," he eventually ends up running the country. Executive office gives him a headache, however, so Duck returns to the farm to work on his autobiography. This hilarious tale is a perfect introduction for youngsters to the flurry of presidential campaigns.

MEET THE CAST

Sebastian Hulburt (Duck) is happy to be making his SSR TYA debut. Past credits include, Sweeney (Sweeney Todd), Frankenfurter (Rocky Horror), Enjolras (Les Misérables), Michael (Dancing at Lughnasa), and Tybalt (Romeo & Juliet). He'd like to thank the cast & crew for their patience and talent and his best friends Kayla and Dustin for being excellent people. Special thanks to Kim Maguire. Enjoy the show!

Lisa Wright-Thiroux (Hen) Lisa is so excited to be back on the farm to reprise the role of Hen from last season's Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type, and is having a fantastic time here with all her new barnyard friends!  Mainstage SSR audiences may also remember her from earlier this season as Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show, and Mary Sunshine in Chicago, as well as previous seasons' productions of H.M.S Pinafore and Urinetown.  Other recent roles include M'Lynn in Steel Magnolias (UPAC), and pirate captain Nikki "The Butcher" Townsend in Pirates: Cast Adrift (Umbrella Theater).  During the holiday season, Lisa can be seen donning Victorian garb and entertaining shoppers, partygoers, and random passers-by as a member (and now part owner!) of the Silverbells Carolers.  And she would like to state for the record that any rumors about a real-life fondness for a particular actor playing a particular farmer are absolutely, completely, 100% true! 

Brian Hutchins (Farmer Brown) is a former Class Clown who is now old enough to be the Principal. He is delighted to have been cast as Farmer Brown in Duck for President. This is his first foray into musical theater and he's enjoying the ride for all its worth without worrying about the destination because, a few months ago Brian requested of a certain redheaded hen, "lead me where you will"......he ended up here at SecondStory Repertory, covered head to toe in hay, horsehair, seeds, sprouts, feathers, filth, mud, muck, and coffee stains....... He couldn't be any happier......working the live long day.

Britt Boyd (Cow) is delighted to be back at SecondStory Repertory, having previously appeared in the mainstage production of Urinetown.  Recent credits include Katie Stanley in Pirates of Penzance (STAGEright); The Baker's Wife in Into the Woods (Seattle Musical Theatre); Mrs Armstrong in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Seattle Public Theater) and touring nationally with Living Voices/Theaterworks.  By day, Britt can be found illuminating young minds at Seattle Children's Theatre and talking to the animals (and humans!) at Woodland Park Zoo.  Special thanks to the kids at Bellevue Montessori School, who love Doreen Cronin's stories just as much as their drama teacher!

Pat Haines-Ainsworth (Pig) has appeared at SecondStory in several productions for young audiences- most recently as the queen in “Princess and the Pea”.  She has also performed with ArtsWest, Village Theatre, Seattle Musical Theatre, and last month with StageRIGHT in “Calling Nancy Drew”.  Pat is also a playwright and producer with Last Leaf.  She is pleased to be taking some time here on the farm.

THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Kate Swenson (Director) is an actor, director, designer, playwright, and educator working with all ages in the Seattle area. She is thrilled to be back at SecondStory where she has directed A Year With Frog and Toad and last year's farm yard visit Click Click Moo.  Kate recently appeared in Live Girls Theatre's Quickies 13 and wrote and directed Cinderella Rockin the 80s for Youth Theatre NW. Up next she will be directing 42nd Street at YTN. When not on stage, Kate loves experimenting in the kitchen, reading and writing fiction, and traveling to visit friends and family across the country.

Catrina Vroman (Stage Manager) is excited to be working with SecondStory for the first time!  A theater graduate from Pacific Lutheran University, Cat has most recently served as Stage Manger for Macha Monkey's production of Sweet Nothing and interned with Book-It Repertory Theatre. She sends her love, as always, to Jon.