Ugly Duckling

Ugly Duckling is playing at Union Station's City Stage Theatre in Kansas City, and it's a production that reimagines Hans Christian Andersen's old fairy tale. The story is set to a lush score of classical music, so the whole thing runs on a musical backdrop rather than just dialogue.

The plot follows the one you know: a lonely duckling who spends his days dealing with doubt, rejection, and the feeling of not quite fitting in. He gets through it with the unwavering love of his adopted mother, and eventually finds acceptance and inspiration in the graceful dance of the swans. It's a celebration of belonging, love, and becoming exactly who you were meant to be.

It's a family-friendly show, and the schedule is built for it. Performances run Tuesday through Thursday at 10 AM, Friday at 10 AM and 12 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM. If you're looking for something to do during the day with kids, those morning and early afternoon slots make it easy to fit in without rearranging your whole evening. The production opened on October 6, so it's been running for a bit now.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, and Union Station members get in for $12. You'll find it at the City Stage Theatre inside Union Station.