Farewell to Our Poultry Tale

With finals week around the corner, many St. Ambrose students would not dare to think about missing class.

However, for cast members of this year's children's show Honk Jr., they opted out of taking notes and took the stage instead. With a total run of seven performances over just five days, cast members endured a hectic week. This included five performances to hundreds of energetic elementary and middle school kids. Ultimately, a high-quality show was produced, which the kids loved.

Honk Jr. is the musical retelling of the classic children's tale, The Ugly Duckling. While many elements of the original story remain in place, this production follows Ugly (played by first-year Joe Lasher) as he goes on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, Ugly gets tricked into following the hungry Cat (played by senior Rebecca Moews) after he is convinced that he doesn't fit in with the other animals on the farm.

After he escapes from the Cat, Ugly runs into a beautiful swan named Penny (played by sophomore Allison Hutson) and a Bullfrog (played by junior T.J. Green) who encourage him to be proud of being different.

In the end, Ugly is reunited with his mother, Ida (played by senior Sarah Goodall), and becomes the leader of the farmyard. Guest artist Andrea Moore choreographed and directed this production while guest artist Saul Nache served as the music director.

While the show was primarily geared towards children, it had a heartwarming message that resonated with many cast members as well.

"Playing Ugly allowed me to not only grow as an actor but become more in-tune with myself and my emotions," Lasher said. "I can heavily relate to Ugly and the feeling he is an outsider. I was able to use my own experiences and emotions to help me perform the role, especially while singing, ‘Different.' Being able to show kids that it is okay to be who you are and to not be ashamed has meant the world to me."

Overall, audience members loved watching the magic of theatre happen on stage. The children were enthralled with the numerous dance numbers, and the adults cracked up at many of the jokes throughout the show. Additionally, lots of children loved getting to high-five and take pictures with cast members after the show.

"I had a wonderful experience in Honk," Lasher said. "I made lots of new friends and created even stronger bonds with my already existing friends. I'm so incredibly thankful to have had this opportunity to perform in my first collegiate musical."

All in all, Honk Jr. was a success from start to finish. Between the flashy dance numbers, colorful costumes and excellent storytelling, audience members loved seeing the classic story of the "Ugly Duckling" retold. Most importantly, the children who came and saw the show were very receptive to the musical. Hopefully, the children's show will continue to be a tradition at St. Ambrose for many years to come.