‘Honk! Jr.’ and ‘Junie B.’ look at childhood’s trials

  • By Andrea McInnis / Herald Writer
  • Thursday, March 22, 2007 9:00pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

Whether it’s being the “odd one out” in a group or being an adventurous first-grader whose life is full of trials and tribulations, Village Theatre programs in Stanwood and Everett will offer stories on stage with themes common to all kids during the next several days.

“Honk! Jr.” is Village Theatre’s version of the well-known Hans Christian Andersen children’s story, “The Ugly Duckling.”

This story, however, features more than just ducks as characters. It has been updated to reflect kids’ interest in hip-hop and their current fashion trends, the theater says.

The performance centers on student actors dressed as animals from a whole barnyard, such as chickens, cats and others. A cast of fourth- through 12th-graders will keep the audience’s attention and sense of humor engaged as the main character, a gawky bird named “Ugly,” learns to deal with pressures from his peers, including the “popular ducks” and the “mean girl cat.”

On Sunday, children’s author Barbara Park’s award-winning series about a lively young girl named Junie B. Jones comes to Everett Civic Auditorium’s stage, courtesy of Village Theatre’s Pied Piper program, for two performances full of the adventures and misadventures of a very outspoken first-grader.

Both the books and the stage show explore topics including Junie getting new glasses, playing in a school kickball tournament and dealing with a tattletale classmate.

Joan Marcus photo

Russell Arden Koplin as Junie B. in TheatreworksUSA’s production of “Junie B. Jones.”

Brian Thompson photo

Tara Smith as Ida (left), Ireland Woods as Ugly, Joey Zingarelli as Drake, Brielle Amancio as Downy, Savanna Woods as Fluff and Paige Woods as Beaky in “Honk! Jr.”

On stage

“Honk! Jr.”: 7 tonight, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Stanwood High School performing arts center, 7400 272nd St. NW, Stanwood. $5, Village Theatre box office at 425-257-8600, www.villagetheatre.org.

“Junie B. Jones”: 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Everett Civic Auditorium, 2415 Colby Ave., Everett. $11 to $13, 425-257-8600, www.villagetheatre.org. on

On stage

“Honk! Jr.”: 7 tonight, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Stanwood High School performing arts center, 7400 272nd St. NW, Stanwood. $5, Village Theatre box office at 425-257-8600, www.villagetheatre.org.

“Junie B. Jones”: 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Everett Civic Auditorium, 2415 Colby Ave., Everett. $11 to $13, 425-257-8600, www.villagetheatre.org.

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