Ham on Regal - History

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 title 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 known as the Ham on Regal Players or "Hams" for short. The four decade long venture today stems from the work of thousands of parents and teachers over the past 45+ years.

The benefits from being involved in the show are remarkable! Ferris teachers gain monetary support for their programs. The students benefit from improved 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, on stage antics, skits, stingers, show "formula", the progression of participation from Hamlet (a first year parent) to Hammie (a seasoned veteran) to Hambone (when your last student graduates from Ferris you move on from Ham on Regal) to packing up the costumes and music until next year, the traditions are rich and perpetuate fond memories.

A very special tradition is the morning “Student Con,” where the cast has a special private performance for the students of Ferris High School. It's also a tradition for all of the senior students to join their parents on the stage at the end of the student con and sing the Ham on Regal theme song, “Once a Year Day” with the cast. . .

"Once a Year Day"

This is our Once a Year Day, Once a Year Day,

Felt the morning sun and knew that

This was our Once a Year Day, Once a Year Day,

Even got a kiss from you;

We feel like hoppin' up and down like a kangaroo

Jumpin' fences, climbin' trees,

What pleases us is what we'll do 'cause

This is our Once a Year Day, Once a Year Day,

Everyone's entitled to be wild, be a child,

Be a goof, raise the roof. . . .

Once a Year!!

This is our Once a Year Day, Once a Year Day,

Once a year we're jumpin' fences;

This is our Once a Year Day, Once a Year Day,

Once a year we lose our senses;

Look at Charlie up a tree, kissin' Katie's ear,

Charlie's wife is mad as hell;

Oh well, it happens once a year and

This is that Once a Year Day, Once a Year Day,

Everyone's entitled to be wild, be a child,

Be a goof, raise the roof. . . .

Once a Year!!

Past Shows:

Here's a list of all the shows that have been done - Almost 50 years worth of Ham!!!

1963

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985
1986

1987

Hootenanny

A Knight in Saxony

A Night in Saxony

Would You Believe?

Fair and Warmer

Ham on Regal

Please Pass the Mustard

Bali Hoo

When in Room

Those Were the Days

Saga of the S. S. Fairlass

That's the Spirit

The People vs. Uncle Sam

A Shriek from Araby

The Last Resort

Juan Amour Time

Hamalot

Regal Rock

Too Darn Hot

What's Afloat
Purr-fect Nonsense

It's All Relative
Luck Be A Lady

In Hot Pursuit

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003
2004
2005

2006

2007
2008

2009

2010

2011

Hamtreck 25- Spacey Odyssey

Less Than A One Horse Town

S.O.S.

W.H.A.M. on Regal

Semi-Mental Journey

Class Spirits

Fathom That

Jurassic Pork

Under the Pig Top

Fractured Ferris Tales

PhantHam of the Oscars

Summer Camp (Some R' Not)

A PIGment of Our Imagination

Nautical Nonsense

Forbidden Grounds

American Hamstand
Gold 'N' Horseshoe Revue
Pirate Parody

The Ferrist of them All

License to Ham
Remote Possibilities

MayHam at the Museum

Life Kinda Sorta

Hollywood Hogwash