'Shrek the Musical' to Dazzle the Stratford High School Stage

Are you ready Stratford? Because Something big and green and full of song is coming to the local high school stage.

The Stratford Drama Society will present DreamWorks Theatricals’ Shrek the Musical  in the school’s John F. Kennedy Memorial Auditorium on Friday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, March. 29, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.  

All tickets are $10. 

'Roles of All Shapes and Sizes'

The show tells the story of the ogre Shrek, his new found friend Donkey, their quest for Princess Fiona and their deeds to thwart the plans of the evil Lord Farquaad. 

“Each year, when we graduate our seniors, we lose our most experienced actors, singers, and dancers.  Last year we had one such group graduate who had been acting together since elementary school, often landing most of the lead roles,” the show's director Jeff Leinen said, as he explained the choice of Shrek as the this spring's production. "I wanted to offer a show that would attract a large number of students, and offered a plethora of roles of all shapes and sizes."

When the time drew close to select a musical, Leinen said he held a survey in each of his choir classes and took the shows that received the Top 10 votes, researched them, and narrowed down the choices to four.

"I then held a Drama Society meeting for anyone interested in this year's show, and passed out a packet detailing each show that included character descriptions, plot synopsis, and song lists," Leinen said. "The overwhelming vote came back "Shrek! The Musical." 

Last Show for Senior Actors

SHS Senior Will Tait, a five-show veteran for the SHS Drama Society, will be playing Shrek.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet that this is going to be my last show at Stratford High,” Tait said. “Being a part of theater at Stratford High helped me a lot by making me more confident and comfortable with being myself. Shrek is a fun show and it has a good message that I think audiences will enjoy.” 

Megan Aviles, another senior and also a five-show veteran, agreed that she will miss her fellow drama society members. 

“I love it, we’re all like a family. This show is so much fun and it will be a fun experience for the audience," Aviles said. "It’s an out of the box show for us, a much different type of show than the classic shows we’ve done over the past few years.” 

“I’d like audiences to leave this show excited about theater at Stratford High School,” said Drama Society President Nick Kovalik. Nick, also a senior, has been in eight productions during his high school years. “I met a lot of great people through the theater program and the experience helped me to push myself to be the best I can be.” 

“With Shrek the Musical we have an opportunity to cast a large number of students in roles that are not gender specific, and offer a great show that comes from the much-adored series of movies about this loveable green ogre,” Leinen said.

Cast & Crew Members

The cast of Shrek  includes: Will Tait (Shrek); Chris DeCrecrescenzo (Donkey); Tyler Ferrara (Lord Farquaad); Abbie Perez (Adult Fiona); and Megan Aviles (Ogress Fiona). Other cast members include:  Sam Noccioli, Emily Benson, Audrey Pancak, Jackie Walsh, Chris Smith, Reid Jefferson, Maggie Walsh, Jason Peoples-Blackwell, Julia Barksdale, Alyson Brault, Lauren Holt, Kaitlyn Schuessler, Emily Lopez, Kelsey Lepesko, Joe Marsan, Terron Moorer, Anthony Vazquez, Paige Hoydick, Samantha Rivera, Samantha Feliciano, Chris Gonzalez, Michael Holt, Olivia Murray, Jessica Logan, Justin Gendron, Brianna Rotonto, Chris Carroll, Becky Simon, Tristan Frownfelter, Anthony Larregui, Chynna Sherrod, Ashley Jean Pierre, Nick Kovalik, Zach Smith, Meera Chanda, Kathryn Cullen, Liliette Diavua, Maia Dufane, Kelsey Gabris, Megan Pale, Brianna Pensanti, Rebekah Wargo and Olivia Mastroluca.

The backstage crew includes: Jenna Amoroso (wing manager); Bree Bursey (wing manager) and Katie Posser (stage manager). The production is directed Jeff Leinen. Costuming is by Susan Barksdale and Nancy Zychek, props by Laura Tallberg, and set design by Rich Tallberg and Mike Rich. 

More Information

Shrek The Musical features music by Jeanine Tesori, and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. It is based on the 2001 DreamWorks film Shrek and William Steig's 1990 book Shrek! 

For more information, call (203) 380-6777, extension 1234 or log on to stratfordhigh.stratfordk12.org.