Now Playing in the Studio Theater in Portland, Maine

Production Photos by Kat Moraros Photography.

Preproduction photos by Hannah Daly Ellsworth.

August 20 - Sept 4

It’s the Berlin Conference of 1884 and the nations of Europe teeter on the brink of feathershed over their nest-holdings in Africa: Penaquill, the poised and hopeful delegate from Portugal, finds it impossible to convince her fellow delegates to treat the African ducks with a shred of dignity (ducknity?) while Leopold II, the King of Belgium, seeks nothing but the total and complete subjugation of the African continent. In her quest to stop the mad tyrant, Penaquill gains an unlikely ally in Mr. Duck, the folksy delegate from the United States whose salesduckship might just be the thing she needs to win over her fellow delegates. As tensions rise between the nations and all-out war seems all but assured, Penaquill must maneuver her way through age-old rivalries and petty grudges in her attempts to save Africa from Leopold’s wrath. But can she save it from herself?

A.J. Ditty’s darkly absurdist comedy explores the evils of colonialism by way of Animal Farm because ducks, though inherently majestic and beautiful, are more often than not, the most violent, horrible creatures ever to walk this Earth. So, basically, exactly like us.

Press

Read about Heart of Duckness in the Bollard Bulletin!
As seen on the Portland Time & Temp Building and Broadway World.

Part of the Studio Series at Portland Stage.
Produced in partnership with Forge Theater Labs.
Sponsored by Another Round.

Featuring: Ryland Garnett as Baron de Crested, Allison McCall as King Leopold II, Gary Penn as Otto von Bisquack, Hollie Pryor as Marques de Penaquill, Chris Say as De Eend, Madison Shmalo as Sir Mallard, Nathan Speckman as Mr. Duck, and Maya Williams as Kivadangu.

Director – Todd Brian Backus, Stage Manager – Beka Bryer, Lighting Designer – Zoë Cheever, Scenic Designer – Jesse Murphy, Sound Designer/Production Manager – Jayson Murray, Props Designer – Katie Pfohl.