CORNWALL, Ontario – With just 3 short weeks until opening night, rehearsals for the Seaway ValleyTheatre Company’s production of Shrek the Musical Jr. are well underway.
Based on the 2001 DreamWorks film Shrek and William Steig’s 1990 book Shrek!, the play promises something for everyone.
“It appeals to a broader audience,” said director Michael DeWolfe. “It’s an easy sell for parents and older siblings, but it’s also easy for kids to sit through and watch.”
DeWolfe says he was aware that a Broadway adaptation of the film existed, but until recently, wasn’t familiar with any of the music. “I wasn’t sure how good the music was, so I listened to it and immediately fell in love with it,” said DeWolfe.
“Now I’m kind of jealous that the kids get to do it and the adults don’t.”
Thanks to Musical Theatre International’s Broadway Collection, directors like DeWolfe are able to take bigger musicals and condense them to only an hour, which happens to work perfectly for SVTC’s younger group.
Featuring a cast of 52 young performers, ages 7 through 18, there’s no shortage of energy in this production. In her fifth year working the children’s group, SVTC musical director Stephanie St. Louis says that channelling this energy is one of her favourite parts of directing the younger group.
“They each bring their own personality to the part,” said St. Louis. “It’s actually easier in many ways to work with younger age groups because limitations don’t exist in their minds.”
As the cast ramps up for opening night, DeWolfe says that preparation is key. “We get four runs before we perform,” said DeWolfe. “That’s when we add the costumes, lights, sound. It’s a hectic week, but it’s really fun. We prepare them as much as we can with all the dancing and singing elements, so when we put all the elements together, there’s very little to worry about.”
“It’s always so exciting,” said St. Louis. “It changes the atmosphere, it changes their focus, and in general, shifts the dynamic of the group, performance-wise.”
The show will run from Dec. 3 to, and tickets are available to purchase online, at the United Way, as well as at the door.
