Ugly Duckling

Theatre for Young America brings The Ugly Duckling to Union Station's City Stage on Saturday, October 10, from 2 to 3 PM. It's their take on Hans Christian Andersen's old fairy tale, and they've put it on as a production for all ages, so it works as a family outing just as well as it does for anyone who grew up with the story.

Most of us know the plot by heart—the bird who doesn't fit in with his siblings, the long stretch of feeling out of place, and the eventual discovery of who he really is. Theatre for Young America frames it around a few specific themes: belonging, love, and becoming exactly who we're meant to be. It's a simple story, but it's one that hits differently when you're watching it live rather than reading it in a book.

Because it's staged for all ages, it's not just for the kids. It's the kind of show you can bring the whole family to on a Saturday afternoon without worrying about whether the younger ones will sit still or the adults will get bored. It's an hour long, which is a good length for a weekend matinee—long enough to get into the story, but short enough to fit into a busy day.

Tickets are $15, and the show runs from 2 to 3 PM at Union Station's City Stage, 30 W. Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108. If you're looking for something to do with the family this Saturday, this is a straightforward way to spend an hour.