As the high school theatre department prepares to open its production of Shrek the Musical, it welcomes us all to Fairytale land.
A talented cast and creative team bring a beloved film to life on stage with heartwarming storytelling and a touch of theater magic. The production promises an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. The High School invites you to come and watch while enjoying at the Max Colley Jr. Performing Arts Center. The Cast and Crew will be putting on four shows; Thursday the 20th at 7 pm, Saturday the 22nd at 3 pm, Friday the 28th at 7 pm, and Saturday the 29th at 3 pm.
Junior Anabella Pfaff takes on the role of Princess Fiona, a character she has dreamed of playing since childhood.
“Fiona is such a dynamic character—funny, fierce, and heartfelt,” Pfaff said. “I bring the most energy I can possibly muster, and I feel like I don’t have to ‘act’ for her. She’s a little crazy and truly cares for other people. It’s like my childhood dream come true.”
Fiona’s big musical numbers, like “I Know It’s Today” and “Morning Person,” have been both thrilling and challenging for Pfaff.
“‘I Know It’s Today’ goes higher than I’ve ever belted before, and working with my other two Fionas, Sydney Pflug and Charlotte Pitt, has been great,” Pfaff said. “But ‘Morning Person’ is my personal favorite, I get to be quite goofy and hit some high notes. Learning to tap dance for the three-minute break was tough, but so much fun!”
Director Matt McKay has been leading the cast and crew through rehearsals with a focus on balancing comedy, heart, and spectacle.
“We want to make some stage magic come to life for this story,” McKay said. “There are so many fun characters that are going to look fantastic with their makeup and costumes. We kept our scenic design fairly basic, but we did some fun theater tricks to use our space in a lot of different ways.”
One of the biggest challenges has been working around the flu season, which has impacted the rehearsal schedule. However, McKay is confident that the cast’s dedication will shine through.
“The energy has really picked up now that all the technical elements are coming together,” McKay said. “The cast has been rehearsing for months, but now that props, lights, and microphones are added, the excitement carries itself through the rest of the production.”
Freshman Isaiah Beardsley brings a unique twist to the Big Bad Wolf, a mix between the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs story.
“I’ve brought the Big Bad Wolf to life by playing a game of cat and mouse with the three pigs, as well as rocking my granny dress,” Beardsley said.
From hilarious hijinks to heartfelt moments, Shrek the Musical promises something for everyone.
“This production stands out because it has the most heart,” Pfaff said. “You can have talent, but without effort, you don’t have a show.”
McKay hopes audiences take away the positive messages that Shrek the Musical has to offer.
“We shouldn’t judge people so quickly,” McKay said. “Our quirks that make us weird are also what make us uniquely strong. With good people by our side, we can get through anything together.”
Shrek the Musical opens this week and the cast and crew are ready to put on a performance that nobody will forget. Get tickets via this link now before they’re all sold out. Don’t miss the chance to see this magical, larger-than-life production live on stage.
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