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Honk! Jr. Runs Sept. 18-27 at The Spotlight Playhouse in Berea 🦢

Written by

Chad Hembree

A duckling gets born looking wrong for his family, gets picked on for it, and spends the whole show finding his way back to where he belongs. That is Honk! Jr., and it opens September 18 at The Spotlight Playhouse, 214 Richmond Road in Berea.

I have always loved this musical. Honk! is one of those shows that deserves more attention than it gets, and I am especially glad we are bringing the junior version to Spotlight this fall for our 9- to 14-year-old students.

The show runs September 18 through 27 and features students ages 9 to 14 from Spotlight Acting School.

A musical that keeps getting overlooked 🦢

Honk! started at England’s Watermill Theatre in 1993. In 1999, it reached the West End at the Royal National Theatre.

Then came the part that still surprises people who have never heard of the show. In 2000, Honk! won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, beating both The Lion King and Mamma Mia! for the award.

That is a pretty impressive piece of musical theater history.

The junior version, adapted for young performers by Music Theatre International, brings the story down to about 60 minutes while keeping the heart of the original story and its songs. It is a good fit for a young cast and for families who may be introducing a child to live theater for the first time.

I think one reason Honk! has remained less familiar to the general public is simply the competition it has faced.

When it came out, it was competing with some enormous shows. It has continued to live in the shadow of big productions and newer musicals that lean more toward rock opera.

But Honk! has something I really enjoy. It comes from that traditional musical theater style, with strong characters, memorable songs and a story that is easy to understand without being simplistic.

Why this cast, why this show 🎭

At Spotlight Acting School, we work with students in different age groups, from our youngest performers through high school.

Honk! Jr. belongs to our 9- to 14-year-old group.

That age is a wonderful time to put a show like this in front of young actors. They are old enough to take on substantial vocal and acting responsibilities, but they are still close enough to the story that its themes about belonging, acceptance and finding your place can really mean something to them.

I also think audiences are going to be surprised by what these students can do.

There are some wonderful songs in Honk! Jr., and these young performers have worked hard to bring them to life. Anyone who comes to see the show is going to get a good look at the talent that is developing right here in Berea.

What it looks like when a town shows up 🏠

One of the things I value most about putting on a musical at Spotlight is seeing what happens around the stage.

A production like this is not just a group of kids learning lines and songs. It is families making time for rehearsals. Teachers and staff helping students grow. Parents getting them where they need to be. People working behind the scenes. And, finally, an audience sitting in the seats to watch them accomplish something they have worked toward for weeks.

My wife and I are both performing arts teachers, and over the years we have seen students go through entire programs with very little support from the community.

That breaks your heart.

I do not see that nearly as much in the Spotlight community. People show up for these students.

And I think that matters more than we sometimes realize.

There are a lot of things you can do for a young person. You can buy things for them. You can give them opportunities. You can help them along the way.

But being there when they accomplish something they have worked hard to achieve is different.

That is what they remember.

The practical part 📌

Honk! Jr. runs September 18 through 27 at The Spotlight Playhouse, 214 Richmond Road in Berea.

The junior production runs about 60 minutes and is appropriate for all ages.

Friday performances are Pay What You Can, which gives families an especially accessible way to come see the show. Ticketing and the current performance schedule are available through The Spotlight Playhouse at thespotlightplayhouse.com and the Spotlight Acting School ticketing page.

The front-row seating area is wheelchair accessible with companion space. If you need accessible seating, please let the theater know ahead of time so we can help make your visit go smoothly.

What’s next for this age group ✨

If your child is part of our 9- to 14-year-old program, Honk! Jr. is not the end of the season.

The next production for this age group will be Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella: Youth Edition, coming to Spotlight in late January and early February.

I am really excited about that one, too. It stays in the tradition of the classic musical, and Cinderella gives our young performers another chance to take on a big story with great music and strong characters.

Audition information and program details will be posted through Spotlight Acting School at SpotlightActingSchool.com.

Come see what these kids can do 🎉

If you have never been to a Spotlight show, Honk! Jr. is a good place to start.

It is about an hour, so you are not asking a young child to sit through a three-hour production. More importantly, you get to see what happens when young people are given the chance to take a real story, learn real music and stand in front of a live audience.

I have been around theater and young performers for a long time. I still enjoy watching that moment when the lights come up and the kids realize the audience is there for them.

That is what live theater is supposed to do.

And that is why I am looking forward to Honk! Jr. coming to The Spotlight Playhouse this September.

Upcoming Community and Theater Events 🎭

Tickets and info for all shows: thespotlightplayhouse.com

Sources 📚

About the Author ✍

Chad Hembree serves as the Executive Director of Spotlight Acting School, The Spotlight Playhouse, and Spotlight Performing Arts. A resident of Berea, Kentucky, and a former member of the Berea Council, he has spent decades working in community theater, arts education, and local journalism. Since 1995, he has operated BereaOnline.com, focusing on local news, civic issues, and stories that highlight community collaboration and grassroots efforts across Madison County.

This article originally appeared on BereaOnline.com.

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