Hamthology

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