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“Honk? What is that?” Nearly every conversation I’ve had about this production has included some variation of that question. I usually respond with “It’s the musical tale of the Ugly Duckling.” But it is so much more than that. It is a story about acceptance, it is a story about self-discovery, it is a story about transformation.

This year I decided to do something a little different with our musical.  I thought it might be a good idea to involve students from our sister school at Holy Cross and with the approval of the principals of both schools, I have cast seven extremely talented students in grades 5-8 to act, sing and dance side by side with STMA students. The result could not have worked out better.

Performing Honk with a cast of such diverse ages has opened my eyes to something.  At first, I was amazed at the cast’s ability to relate to the show's concepts; after all, elementary and middle school students and even some high school students usually don’t discuss these types of issues and ideas. However, observing their interactions off the stage and remembering my own days as student, I realized something very important: they don’t talk about these things because they live and struggle through them every day.  

All the students of our cast have worked together amazingly and have grown as a wonderful theatre family.  From the first rehearsal on, relationships have developed, nicknames created, and fun has been had, and just like the heart of our story, Ida (Ugly's Mother) our high school students have taken the younger students under their wings (pardon the pun) in a wonderfully fun, educational experience of working together as a team.  

Throughout the process of producing Honk, we have all come to realize that.......

        
         DIFFERENT isn't naughty...DIFFERENT isn't bad...

               DIFFERENT isn't scary...DIFFERENT is no threat...

                     DIFFERENT isn't spiteful...DIFFERENT isn't wrong...
                           DIFFERENT isn't hateful...DIFFERENT can be swell...

                                   DIFFERENT is just...
                                            Well...
                                       DIFFERENT!

So let’s join our cast in celebrating what makes us different, what makes us unique. Hitch a ride down to the barnyard and enjoy The Midnight Dreary Players production of Honk! A Musical Tale of the Ugly Duckling. 

Kevin W. Thomas

Drama Director