The Palmetto Center for the Arts Theatre Company at Richland Northeast High School will present SHREK THE MUSICAL, Thursday through Saturday, March 19-21 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 PM in the Richland District Two Auditorium, on the Richland Northeast campus. Tickets are $5.00 for students and $7.00 for adults and may be purchased at the door.
Based on Shrek, the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek the Musical is a Tony-Award winning adventure that brings all your favorite characters from the film to life on stage, with music and book by Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire. The tale begins with an ogre name Shrek, an unlikely hero who finds himself on an unexpected journey, alongside a chatty Donkey and a demanding princess looking for her true love. Throw in a fire-breathing dragon, a “short” tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, Shrek the ogre rises to the occasion. Learning to love one’s self and learning to love others for the content of their character is the message that rings loud and clear. Sidesplitting fun with some wonderfully tender moments, Shrek is a story about inner beauty and being true to who you really are.
The talented cast of 40 plus students is led by Cole Morgan in the title role, along with Ajai Cave as the smart-mouthed Donkey, and Kacy Winterhalter as Princess Fiona. Itai Almor takes on the role of the dashing and egotistical Lord Farquaad. Also exciting are the elementary and middle school students featured in the production, who include Forest Lake student, Ella Blalock, as Young Fiona and Corin Wiggins from Kelly Mill, as the Young Shrek, while Quintin Akins, Darius Lee, Kelin Rodriquez, Morgan Weaver, Trey Weaver, Corin Wiggins and Jacob Wilkinson portray citizens of Duloc.
The March 21st performance also features a "special dinner and show event" sponsored by The Richland Northeast Education Foundation as a fundraiser to provide student scholarships and grants for projects. Special tickets for the "dinner and show" event may be purchased at the Richland Northeast main office. Shrek the Musical is under the direction of Donna Wilson, with musical direction by Dr. Greg Boatwright and choreography by Nicole Hardenbergh. For more information, call Donna Wilson at 699-2800 ext. 79833.