MARQUETTE — With two casts featuring over 40 local youth ages 5 to 17, Superior Arts Youth Theater will present “Honk! Jr.” at Lake Superior Theatre beginning today.

“Honk! Jr.” is a contemporary retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling” with book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe and music by George Stiles (Mary Poppins).

Caitlin Palomaki is director and music director of this production, with choreography by Jill Vermeulen, and stage management by Georgia Hummell.

“Honk! Jr.” is a heartwarming celebration of being different that is sure to delight audiences of all ages with its sparkling wit, unique charm and memorable score, according to an SAYT release. Witty and hilarious, but also deeply moving, “Honk! Jr.” will treat your audiences to equal amounts of laughter and tears.

Ugly (Grant Ottaway / Luna Cookingham) looks quite a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters. The other animals on the farm, including his father, Drake (Lukas Barron), are quick to notice and point this out, despite his mother, Ida’s (Beatrix Zeleznik / Ellia Marquardson), protective flapping. Feeling rather foul about himself, the little fowl finds himself on an adventure of self-discovery, all the while unknowingly outwitting a very hungry Cat (Rachel Hay / Jack Johnson). Along the way, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters, including a jazzy Bullfrog (Chooch Leonard / Brayden Saarela), and a dynamic goose and gander duo Dot (Macie Allen / Emma Spade) and Greylag (Jack Johnson / Lucas Parkkonen), helping Ugly realize that being different is not a bad thing to be.

“The musical is appropriate for all ages and is sure to make you laugh, cry, and hug your family a little bit tighter,” said director Palomaki in the release. “In a world where being different isn’t easily accepted, we must celebrate our differences and come together because, ‘it takes all sorts to make a world’. Please come and show your support to the local youth participants as they tell this tale!”

Performances of “Honk! Jr”. are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Lake Superior Theatre featuring the Yellow Cast running: today, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with a matinee at 3 p.m. on Sunday,.

The Blue Cast opens on Tuesday, Aug 15 and running Wednesday, Aug.16; Thursday, Aug.17; Friday Aug. 18; and a matinee on Sunday, Aug. 20 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $7.50 for youth. Tickets are available online at nmu.universitytickets.com (with a print at home option), by phone at 906-227-1032 or in person at Lake Superior Theatre beginning at 6 p.m. on performance nights.

This activity is supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

About SAYT

Superior Arts Youth Theater is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan that seeks to provide young people ages 4-18 with educational, performance, and technical theater opportunities. You can learn more about SAYT by visiting saytheater.org or liking Superior Arts Youth Theater on Facebook.