Local Youths Perform in San Diego Junior Theatre’s “Honk!”

Member of the “Honk” cast are (back row, left to right): Paige Pendarvis, Lizzie Hall, Gina Barba, Casey Purlia Johnson and Maggie Brown. Front row (left to right) Zion Dyson, Camille, Pierre Cozic, Jesse Smith and Carly Shaffer. Not pictured is Ruby O’Brien.

Eleven area students are among the 45 cast members performing in San Diego Junior Theatre’s premiere of “Honk!,” a musical based on Hans Christian Anderson’s story “The Ugly Duckling”: Maggie Brown, Mission Hills; Pierre Cozic, Bankers Hill; Carly Shaffer, Mission Valley; Jesse Smith, Gina Barba, Paige Pendarvis and Anya Price of Point Loma; Ruby O’Brien, Linda Vista; Casey Purlia Johnson, University City; Camille Fundingsland of Midtown; and Lizzie Hall and Zion Dyson of Kensington. It runs through July 15 at Balboa Park’s Casa del Prado Theatre on Fridays at 7 p.m. and weekends at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $8 to $14 and are available online at juniortheatre.com or by calling (619) 239-8355. The July 14 show is being presented along with American Sign Language interpretation.

“Honk!” tells the story of a bird named Ugly, whose appearance incites prejudice from his own family and neighbors. After being lured away from home by a disguised feline, Ugly becomes lost and ends up on a rollicking and harrowing journey. Along the way, he discovers his true beauty and glorious destiny, as well as love and acceptance.

Category: Entertainment