On Mother’s Day weekend, Friday, May 6, through Sunday, May 8, 2016, Morrison High School will premier “Shrek the Musical.” This funny, family-friendly fairy tale explores the idea of “happily ever after,” even though life does not always turn out the way we expect. The production is based on the hit animated film by DreamWorks Pictures–with original songs and a slightly different plot. “I’m a Believer,” a 1966 Monkees tune, is featured, added Meagan Zahora, Vocal Music Instructor.
“Shrek the Musical” runs Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Advance tickets are available at Fitzgerald Pharmacy, 124 E. Main Street, Morrison, IL, at $7 for adults and $5 for students and Seniors. At the door, tickets will cost $1 more; seating choices will be limited. Doors open an hour prior to each performance.
The production “was chosen from a lot of different plays,” because Zahora “wanted to do something more popular this year.” She “saw the musical on Netflix. Sutton Foster[, left, who played] Fiona is a big Broadway star.”
On Thursday, April 28, some of the cast sang at the Morrison Community Hospital Auxiliary Spring Luncheon. In a week, Grade School and Junior High students will be treated to a preview of the play at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 4.
Twenty-two cast and some of the 14 stage crew members, representing four grades, were “running all of Act Two” on stage, Wednesday, April 27, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. They are instructed by staff members and Co-Directors Allyson Wetzell (acting) and Zahora (music.) The latter said, “Allyson has a theatre degree and worked last year on ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie.’ She normally directs summer theatres.”
“The choreographer…is Kayla Tenboer. She is a Morrison alum with a lot of dance experience. She has been a great addition to our production staff this year…really involved!”
“We only have two stipends provided: Director and Pit Director. Some of the profits go to [pay additional] stipends. Licensing shows is really expensive,” Zahora explained. “To license this show cost $3000. Our fundraiser page, https://www.gofundme.com/mhs-theatrefest, is where people who want to give to support the drama program can help us. We finally qualify as a not-for-profit organization. We usually break even each year,” she concluded.
Debra Wagenecht tends costumes. Zahora noted, “This musical is really heavily involved in costumes–some really cool ones.” Many were rented from Peoria Players Community Theatre Company, as was done last year. “Costume prices also are expensive, [costing] $15 to $30 a month per costume.”
The student-led play program will be ready Friday, April 29, and “all the posters were student designed,” she added. Zahora distributed some black-and-white head drawings of characters, wearing appropriate colored makeup, so students could practice creating their look. Others were allowed to create their own makeup if they desired.
The story follows the life of Shrek, a solitary ogre, tasked with saving a princess from a dragon-guarded tower. Sets are being designed by Theresa Brandon. Zahora stated, “Theresa has done a wonderful job with the set and props. I’m most excited to [display] the dragon. It’s a really cool idea!”
Listed below are the cast and crew.
Shrek, Kyle McCoy
Fiona, Allison Houldson
Ogress Fiona, Rachel Magana
Donkey, Tessa Vander Bleek
Lord Farqua’ad, Zach Osborn
Dragon, Gillian O’Neal
Fairy Tale Creatures
Gingy/Fairy Godmother, Gillian O’Neal
Pinocchio, Jacob Brown
Big Bad Wolf, Zach Osborn
Three Little Pigs, Thomas Wagenecht #3, Cassidy Stoecker #1, Molly Mickley #2
Peter Pan, Joey Young
Ugly Duckling, Cassie Osborn
Witch, Maya Zinke
Mama Bear, Rachel Magana
Papa Bear, Krysta Mapes
Baby Bear, Tori Humphrey
Dwarf/Papa Farqua’ad, Dallas Wagenecht
Humpty Dumpty, Victoria Rennie
Elf, Alexandria Bullard
White Rabbit, Sydney Beveroth
Sugar Plum Fairy, Allison Houldson
Ensemble
Little/Young Shrek, Thomas Wagenecht
Mama Ogre, Sydney Beveroth
Papa Ogre, Dallas Wagenecht
Young Fiona, Alexandria Bullard
Teen Fiona, Cassie Osborn
Pied Piper, Krysta Mapes
Guard Captain, Dallas Wagenecht
King Harold, Jacob Brown
Queen Lillian, Rachel Magana
Bishop, Victoria Rennie
Dulac/Rat/Three Blind Mice Dancers: Sydney Beveroth, Molly Mickley, Cassie Osborn, Maya Zinke
Backstage Crew
Student Stage Manager, Abby Houzenga
Lights, Ryan Tillman
Gillian O’Neil
Autumn VanBuren
Allysa Criss
Jenessa Callihan
Evan Ernst
Mackenzie Ryder
Megan Sterenberg
Karah Doyle
Hannah Stralow
Hannah Wallander
Griffin Vos
Sarah Wallander