Honk! Shore's 2025 Mainstage Musical
Cheerful, chirpy, and chock-full of jokes, this year’s mainstage musical HONK!, a comedy by British composer George Stiles and writer Anthony Drewe, was a delight for audiences of all ages. It gives Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of the Ugly Duckling – a testament to resilience and the power of love – a sweet and colorful spin. Complete with classic themes, incredible props and costumes, and a colorful cast of characters, this year’s production truly had it all, and Shore’s cast and crew brought the magic to life.
Captivating from the start was seventh grader A.J. K.’s portrayal of the principal role of Ugly. The show’s unique representation of being out of place no matter where you may be is an ode to childhood and the awkwardness of adolescence. These sentiments were front and center thanks to an exceptional performance from the young actor, who seemed to have mastered his character’s lack of confidence with confidence. Impressive performances from the supporting cast, including ducks, swans, geese, frogs, and even a conniving cat, helped make the performance cohesive and beautiful as the actors shone in the spotlight. In the principal role of Ugly’s mother, Ida, seventh grader Lilith B. tugged at the audience’s heartstrings with her sincere and engaging performance and angelic voice. The show’s numerous characters and many moving parts worked in synergy to deliver a memorable coming-of-age story. The cast rose to the challenge and knocked it out of the park!
Often obscured by the talents of the actors is the tremendous work behind the scenes. Notable in this production was the stunning costume work done by Shore faculty member Rondi Kilham, who, with the assistance of Veera Farhan P’28, ’31, worked tirelessly to ensure that each student’s costume was specifically tailored to enhance their role. Equally as impressive was the set design by Sam Hamlin. Between the oversized nest and eggs, as well as the Kitty Kat Snack Shack, his design and the work of the stage crew helped the show truly come to life. They spent months utilizing the resources in the ILab to produce the many pieces of the show’s set. Additionally, Shore’s new Technical Director Maddie Dustin was integral to coordinating the many technical needs of the production, while mentoring students in the stage crew to call and run the show.
Congratulations to Director Sarah Carlin, Assistant Director Sarah Sklarsky, Musical Director Jennifer Boyum, and everyone else who contributed to the success of this wonderful musical production!
Please enjoy watching Honk! and exploring the photos below.
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Captivating from the start was seventh grader A.J. K.’s portrayal of the principal role of Ugly. The show’s unique representation of being out of place no matter where you may be is an ode to childhood and the awkwardness of adolescence. These sentiments were front and center thanks to an exceptional performance from the young actor, who seemed to have mastered his character’s lack of confidence with confidence. Impressive performances from the supporting cast, including ducks, swans, geese, frogs, and even a conniving cat, helped make the performance cohesive and beautiful as the actors shone in the spotlight. In the principal role of Ugly’s mother, Ida, seventh grader Lilith B. tugged at the audience’s heartstrings with her sincere and engaging performance and angelic voice. The show’s numerous characters and many moving parts worked in synergy to deliver a memorable coming-of-age story. The cast rose to the challenge and knocked it out of the park!
Often obscured by the talents of the actors is the tremendous work behind the scenes. Notable in this production was the stunning costume work done by Shore faculty member Rondi Kilham, who, with the assistance of Veera Farhan P’28, ’31, worked tirelessly to ensure that each student’s costume was specifically tailored to enhance their role. Equally as impressive was the set design by Sam Hamlin. Between the oversized nest and eggs, as well as the Kitty Kat Snack Shack, his design and the work of the stage crew helped the show truly come to life. They spent months utilizing the resources in the ILab to produce the many pieces of the show’s set. Additionally, Shore’s new Technical Director Maddie Dustin was integral to coordinating the many technical needs of the production, while mentoring students in the stage crew to call and run the show.
Congratulations to Director Sarah Carlin, Assistant Director Sarah Sklarsky, Musical Director Jennifer Boyum, and everyone else who contributed to the success of this wonderful musical production!
Please enjoy watching Honk! and exploring the photos below.
Shore Country Day School’s mission is to provide an education that inspires a love of learning and encourages children to embrace academic challenge. We seek to build character, cultivate creativity, and value diversity as we help our children become healthy, compassionate citizens of the world.
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