Shrek the ogre is content to live alone in his swamp, eating slime and scaring off anyone who comes near. One day, a bunch of fairy tale misfits hide away in his swamp from a villain trying to ruin their lives. Shrek teams up with a wise-cracking donkey and undertake a quest to save not only a feisty princess unwilling to be rescued, but the entire fairy tale kingdom... and he may just discover he's been missing something all those years alone. Based on the Oscar-winning film and Tony-winning Broadway musical, SHREK THE MUSICAL JR. is twisted fun for everyone!
The Walnut Street Theatre for Kids Series is celebrated for its commitment to encouraging parents (and grandparents) to read to their kids. Families can read together, and then discover a whole new level of imagination when they see the shows live onstage. The Walnut takes pride in bringing families together and beginning a creative conversation through reading and the arts.
Cartoonist and author, William Steig wrote Shrek in 1990, when he was in his 80s. His book went on to become an award winning series of animated movies produced by DreamWorks. In 2008, the Broadway musical opened at The Broadway Theatre, with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. The show was nominated for eight Tony Awards, twelve Drama Desk Awards and a Grammy Award. The production closed on Broadway in 2010, and has since toured nationally. SHREK THE MUSICAL JR. is a 60 minute adaptation, perfect for kids of all ages.
Ashley Kerns returns to WST for Kids to direct. Recently for WST for Kids, Kerns has directed Alice in Wonderland Jr. and Seussical Jr. A South Philadelphia resident, she has been Assistant Director for several Walnut Mainstage productions, including Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap and Amadeus. Kerns is the Walnut’s Assistant Director of Education and, along with Director of Education Thomas Quinn, has been instrumental in reaching over 180,000 students in the tri-state area with a variety of programs established to keep arts in education. Chris Burcheri will join Kerns as Music and Vocal Director, along with Samuel Antonio Reyes (Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr., Pinkalicious, A Christmas Carol) as Choreographer for this production.
Leading the audience into the depths of an enchanted swamp land filled with fairytale characters, the creative team is led by Scenic Designer Andrew Thompson. Thompson’s work has been seen on the Walnut’s Mainstage in And Then There Were None and in Walnut’s Independence Studio on 3 productions including The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Proof and The Glass Menagerie. Susan Benitez is making her Walnut debut as Costume Designer. Jacob Mishler (Seussical Jr., Arsenic and Old Lace) returns as Sound Designer and J. Dominic Chacon (Alice in Wonderland Jr., The Rise and Fall of Little Voice) as Lighting Designer.
The swamp is full of wacky characters all reigning from the tri-state area, and all of which are students of the Walnut Street Theatre School. Shrek, the big green lovable ogre, will be played by Giacomo Fizzano (Dad/Shrek) of Media, PA and Samantha Deutsch (Little Shrek/Young Fiona/Dwarf Dad) of Wyndmoor, PA. The feisty Princess Fiona will be played by Nicole Haftel (Mom/Green Fiona) of Ardmore, PA; Caroline Quinn (Fiona) of Garnet Valley, PA; and Sophia Chryssofos (Princess/Teen Fiona/Knight) of Medford, NJ. Emily Dunn (Little Red/Dragon Voice/Duloc Dancer) also joins the cast from Medford, NJ. Yannick Haynes of Lansdowne, PA tackles the role of the playful Donkey and Joseph Tully of Haddonfield, NJ will play Lord Farquaad. Julian Brenman of Haverford, PA takes the stage as Pinocchio, Shawn Mashiah of Huntingdon Valley, PA as the Wolf and Maggie McPherson of Downingtown, PA as Gingy. The cast continues with Ally Duvak (Mama Bear/Dragon Operator) of Media, PA; Sydney Gilmore (Baby Bear/Rooster) of Yardley, PA; Amanda Jacobson (Papa Bear/Dragon Operator) of Philadelphia, PA; Katie Chance (3 Pigs) of Cherry Hill, NJ; Jacqueline Kraft (Wicked Witch/Duloc Dancer) of Glen Mills, PA; Tess Ansbro (Ugly Duckling/Duloc Dancer/Knight) of Blue Bell, PA; Jennifer Lepore (Princess/Lead Duloc Dancer/Knight) of Havertown, PA; Dan Kulesza (Captain of the Guards/Knight/Bishop) of Mount Laurel, NJ; and Christina Pullen (Peter Pan/Duloc Dancer) of New Egypt, NJ.
SHREK THE MUSICAL JR. is an ideal outing for the kid inside of everyone with weekend matinee performances October 3 through October 24, 2015. The media sponsor is Courier Post and Mix 106.1. Tickets are $14-$16 with group discounts available for groups of ten or more. For tickets and information, please call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets can also be purchased online at Ticketmaster or by visiting the Walnut’s website at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.