Ham on Regal was born in the fall of 1963, with the opening of Joel E. Ferris High School. Two parent-teacher groups combined to put together a show that would raise funds to support school activities. The success of the show truly bonded the two groups and laid the foundation for the tremendously strong parent-school community we now enjoy at Ferris.
The Ham on Regal Players acquired its name from the name of the 1969 production. While searching for a name for the show, the chairman suggested “Ham on Regal” because the school faces Regal Street. Since then, the troupe has been know as the Ham on Regal Players or “Hams” for short. The five-decade long venture stems from the work of thousands of parents and teachers of the past 55+ years.
The benefits from being involved in the show are remarkable! Ferris teachers gain support for their programs and parental involvement in the production of the show. As parents, we gain lifelong friendships, work collaboratively for a common goal to enhance the educational experience for our children and we have lots and lots of fun!
Ham on Regal has many traditions. From awards to on-stage antics, skits, stingers, the show “formula”, the progression of participation from a Hamlet (a first year Ham) to Hammie (a seasoned veteran) to Hambone (when your last student graduates from Ferris), and finally packing up the costumes and music until next year. The traditions are rich and make for fond memories.
A very special tradition is the “Student Con”, Tuesday of show week, where we do a special performance in the morning for the students of Ferris High School. And, at the end of every performance the audience is invited to sing along with the cast to the Ham on Regal theme song, “Once a Year Day.”
Past Shows
1963: Hootenanny
1965: A Knight in Saxony
1966: A Night in Saxony
1967: Would You Believe?
1968: Fair and Warmer
1969: Ham on Regal
1970: Please Pass the Mustard
1971: Bali Hoo
1972: When in Rome
1973: Those Were the Days
1974: Saga of the S.S.Fairlass
1975: That’s the Spirit
1976: The People vs Uncle Sam
1977: A Shriek from Araby
1978: The Last Resort
1979: Juan Amore Time
1980: Hamalot
1981: Regal Rock
1982: Too Darn Hot
1983: What’s Afloat
1984: Purr-fect Nonsense
1985: It’s All Relative
1986: Luck Be A Lady
1987: In Hot Pursuit
1988: Hamtrek 25 – A Spacey Odyssey
1989: Less Than A One Horse Town
1990: S.O.S.
1991: W.H.A.M. on Regal
1992: Semi-Mental Journey
1993: Class Spirits
1994: Fathom That
1995: Jurassic Pork
1996: Under the Pig Top
1997: Fractured Ferris Tales
1998: PhantHam of the Oscars
1999: Summer Camp (Some R’ Not)
2000: A PIGment of Our Imagination
2001: Nautical Nonsense
2002: Forbidden Grounds
2003: American Hamstand
2004: Gold ‘N’ Horseshoe Revue
2005: Pirate Parody
2006: The Ferrist of the All
2007: License to Ham
2008: Remote Possibilities
2009: MayHam at the Museum
2010: Life Kinda Sorta
2011: Hollywood Hogwash
2012: Ham Times at Ferris High
2013: The Regal Avengers – Project Blueprint
2014: New Digs for Cool Pigs
2015: Pig Tales – A Summer Aswinement
2016: Hankering for the Hamlight
2017: When Pigs Fly!
2018: The Wizard of Hogz
2019: Hammy Days
2020: To Hamfinity and Beyond
2021: These Little Piggys had None, But We’re Still Gonna Have Fun
2022: Alakazham, Finding the Magic of Ferris
2023: #Pigz4Kidz, A-Ham-A-Thon
2024: Bacon and Brilliance, Quest for the Cup
2025: COMING SOON!