Ever since Bluffton University switched to online classes to limit group gathering a lot of events on campus have been canceled including the musical, “Honk!”
Honk! is a family-friendly adaption of the ugly duckling story, that is about an ugly duckling realizing being different isn’t bad.
The cast of the musical had just started rehearsing before spring break, reading through the shows and listening to the songs. Immediately after spring break, Bo-young Kang, assistant professor of music, lead musical rehearsals.
Melissa Friesen, professor of theatre and communication, was the director of the musical and she said she is disappointed,
“It is very disappointing,” said Friesen. “I love working on musicals and ‘Honk’ is a great show with a terrific message. We had an excellent cast including, two community members and six local children.”
Caleb Mikesell, a freshman elementary education and intervention specialist major, who had multiple characters in the musical, is also disappointed in the cancellation of the musical.
“I, as many others do, feel sad and disappointed about the musical getting canceled,” said Mikesell. “One of our set designers had already spent 60-plus hours on the show, designing what the stage would look like. I enjoyed my songs and parts, but I understand under the circumstances.”
Friesen said this is the first time a play or musical has been canceled.
“Certainly never any of the plays and musicals I’ve been a part of have been canceled while I’ve been teaching here, or anywhere else, for that matter,” said Friesen. “It’s not unusual for everyone to feel very stressed and worried that we won’t be ready by opening night for a show, but “the show must go on” is a saying with power and everyone pulls together. So this is unprecedented — but necessary. Our priorities have got to be everyone’s health and safety.”
