Box office open for Penguin Project’s ‘Honk, JR’
The South Arkansas Arts Center announces the box office is open for tickets to the Penguin Project’s production of “Honk!, JR,” sponsored by LANXESS.
Performances are scheduled to run at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 and 2 p.m. Sept. 15. Tickets are $5 for everyone and there will be open seating.
The Penguin Project is a unique opportunity for children with special needs to perform in a live stage production in front of an audience.
Through targeted outreach, special needs children are recruited as artists and cast in the production, from starring roles to ensemble.
Each special-needs artist is paired with a mentor of similar age, who guides them through the production from start to finish, helping them learn lines, dances, songs, and blocking.
The children operate as a pair throughout the entire process and appear on stage together, resulting in a full theatrical performance, with costumes, sets and music.
“The musical score of ‘Honk Jr’ beautifully unveils Ugly Duckling’s first year of life. As the curtain opens, one is immediately drawn in to life down on the farm, as our ducks, turkeys, geese and even a felonious feline invite you to come along on the adventure,” said Cassie Hickman, musical director for the production. “Next Ugly’s mom, Ida, heartwarmingly teaches him to ‘Hold His Head Up High’ as he’s navigating the waters of life. When his siblings reject him, one can’t help but feel Ugly’s pain as he sings about being ‘Different.’”
“That encounter leads to a life changing journey where he learns everyone is loved, ‘Warts and All,’ and climaxes in the haunting melody of the ‘Blizzard.’ The music and precious voices of our artists and mentors, will take you along on this melodic journey and leave you cheering for joy as Ugly finally makes his way home in celebration, where his true identity is revealed! You don’t want to miss this journey!”
For more information, call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit saac-arts.org.
SAAC is located at 110 E. Fifth St., El Dorado.