We're All Swans, In Our Own Way

Last Saturday was the beginning of tech week—or torture week—for Honk, Jr., the  musical production being staged by the drama club of the . The purpose of tech week is to rehearse the show with all the technical elements in place.

There was a flurry of fun-derived action as these prepubescent artists-in-characters, were summoned one at a time, so the crew could check the sound and lighting.

Ugly, played by Sarah Peszka, belted out lyrics from one of her songs and recited some lines, as hazy backstage light was adjusted. A voice loomed large over the speakers—“that’s a check.”

And then, another performer, bounded up the stage for the technical check all over again. 

Tables of young performers, fully dressed as birds, frogs, a cat, waited in the wings—two playing on an iPad, others chatting with each other, along with snacks being finished—while gearing up for the afternoon dress rehearsal.

Honk! was written by the British songwriting team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The show first hatched in 1993 and has flown around the world being seen by over five million people. Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s "The Ugly Duckling," the story is of a peculiar-looking baby duck, Ugly, and his quest to find his mother.

“The musical played the West End in London,” said Brian Bacon, choir director, who serves as stage traffic cop, assistant to the crew, morale booster and so on. His reputation among the moms is “easy-going,” “patient,” “great with the kids.”  

“It won the 2000 Olivier Award for Best Musical, our equivalent of the Academy Awards—beating out The Lion King,” added Bacon, as he pivoted to the front of the auditorium, to the back, and then to the front again, stopping to speak with the play’s guitarist.

Since January, this performing contingent of 45 has been rehearsing three to four nights weekly and most Saturday afternoons. Most of the troupe has been split into two casts providing balance between the play times.

“We call it the kids’ winter sport,” laughs Valerie Peszka, mother of eighth-grader Sarah Peszka, who plays the leading role of Ugly, originally written as a male part. “My daughter has been in each play since she started here."

The show, which opens Friday, will be the last time Bacon will get to work with the eighth-graders cast in the musical. It will be particularly heartfelt for these youngsters, as well as Bacon, since Bacon was hired at the same time the eighth-graders entered the Fork Landing Road school.

Getting ready for the show is wonderfully busy and a full-family endeavor—dads built the stage setting of giant eggs among greenery, lunches are hauled in during rehearsal days and a younger sister was "borrowed" from to play a baby in the ensemble.

“Let’s give a shout-out to Rose,” ribbed Preszka, pointing to Rose Adams, whose sixth- and eighth-grade girls are in the play. “She did most of these costumes by herself!”

Adams smiled and shrugged matter-of-factly and, with a wave of her hand “…It’s just what we do.”

IF YOU GO

Honk, Jr! will be performed 8 p.m. March 11 and 12, and 2 p.m. March 12 and 13. Tickets are $5 children, $8 adults. Senior citizens are free. Check out the Patch listing .