Coterie Theatre’s ‘Lucky Duck’ enjoyable for all ages

Jeff Church, the longtime artistic director of the Coterie Theatre, has demonstrated time and again that any show he helms will be reliably entertaining.

That’s certainly true of "Lucky Duck," the cheeky musical reinterpretation of Hans Christian Anderson’s tale of the Ugly Duckling.

The tuner has an impressive pedigree. Its music is by Henry Krieger ("Dreamgirls"), the lyrics were written by Bill Russell ("Side Show") and the book is by Russell and Jeffrey Hatcher ("Tuesdays with Morrie").

But Church’s deft hand is certainly evident in making "Lucky Duck" such an enjoyable lark.

The story takes place in an alternate universe where birds rule the roost. Carnivores, such as wolves, are kept under tight control and forced to live as vegetarians.

Jeannie Greenberry portrays Serena, an ugly duckling living in a farmyard somewhere outside of New Duck City.

Unloved by her family and shunned by others, Serena leaves her oppressive rural roots in hopes of finding success as a singer and supermodel in the big city.

And whom does she choose to help her on the road to showbiz success? Why, a slick and clever fellow named Wolf (Tim Scott), who just happens to be an agent.

Serena hopes to win a big contest judged by the shallow Prince Drake (Seth Golay) that takes place at the city’s civic arena, the Quackerdome.

Wolf persuades the head of a modeling agency (Julie Shaw as Goosetella) into giving Serena a fabulous makeover. Voila, a beautiful swan!

The play is filled with the kind of pop-culture humor that made the "Shrek" film franchise so memorable.

While the kids respond to the broader tomfoolery in the show, parents can enjoy the cheeky elements that fly over the youngsters’ heads.

Like all of Church’s shows, "Lucky Duck" moves with a snappy pace and never lacks energy.

Greenberry proves to be an inspired choice for the lead role. Her lovely pipes ably complement her swanlike visage.

Scott is at his smarmy best as the manipulative Wolf. He can’t quite decide if he wants to make Serena his girlfriend or his next meal.

The supporting cast is first-rate. Most of them play multiple roles and handle them all beautifully.

Izzie Baldwin and Katie Karel are two young actresses whose voices are as refined as their sense of comic timing.

Kip Niven is a hoot as both the ineffective king and as an effeminate runway photographer.

Sam Cordes, Greg Krumins and Keenan Ramos round out the energetic ensemble.

Georgiana Buchanan’s costumes are ingenious and funny. She makes no attempt to cover the characters’ faces with masks, wisely opting to imply their animal nature through fabric and color.

As is always the case with the Coterie, the stagecraft elements are inventive and polished.

The story gets a little convoluted and ungainly in the final scenes. But overall, it is an unquestionably genial show.

The kids whose parents take them to the Coterie this summer are the real lucky ducks.

"Lucky Duck" runs through Aug. 8 at the Coterie Theatre in Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. For information, call (816) 474-6552 or visit www.coterietheatre.org.

THEATER NOTES

The KC Mystery Train pulls out of the station with another interactive dinner theater whodunit.

"The Art of Murder" is an original comic mystery by Philip blue owl Hooser. Set in 1975, the plot revolves around a murder that occurs as people rush to Kansas City for the funeral of a famous painter.

Claudia Copping, Cassandra Whitney and Stephanie Charlton portray various roles, as do volunteers from the audience.

"The Art of Murder" runs through Aug. 21 at The Prime Rib Grill, 100 E. 20th St., Kansas City, Mo. For information, call (816) 813-9654 or visit www.kcmysterytrain.com.

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