Jim Grant/Nevada AppealCast members for "Honk! Jr." sing and dance at their dress rehearsal.
There's one more weekend to catch the Wild Horse Children's Theater's "Honk! Jr." The award-winning musical, written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, transforms Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale of the Ugly Duckling into a modern musical comedy appropriate for everyone in the family.
"This is a musical version of the 'Ugly Duckling,'" said Carol Scott, executive director and founder of Wild Horse and the director for this production.
"It's about bullying and intolerance. It's about learning to shine even though you're different. It's a timely subject matter told in a light manner."
"Honk! Jr." tells the story of Ugly, who is shunned because of his odd, gawky looks and struggles for acceptance and understanding from his family and the other animals in the barnyard. Separated from the farm and pursued by a hungry cat, Ugly must find his way, while his loving mother, Ida, searches for him. Along his journey, he not only discovers his true beauty and how to be comfortable in his own feathers, but he also finds love and acceptance, regardless of what others think.
The cast of "Honk! Jr." includes about 70 children, ages 5-18, from around the region.
"Honk! Jr," performances are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, 813 N. Carson St. Wild Horse Children's Theatre production is a modern musical comedy retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale of the Ugly Duckling. Tickets $10 for adults, $8 for seniors/students, $5 for ages 12 and under and children 3 and under are free. www.wildhorsetheater.com/ or 887-0438 or at the Children's Museum.