By LILY TINOCO | Reporter
Paul Revere Charter Middle School announced its latest production and invites the community to a swamp far, far away—I mean, the middle school’s auditorium—where students will present “Shrek the Musical Jr.”
Program director Lara Ganz revealed to the Palisadian-Post that she seeks shows with great music and plenty of big production numbers, and “Shrek” fit the bill.
“‘Shrek the Musical’ is such a fun, high energy, upbeat show with zany characters and lots of great humor,” she said. “At the same time, there are musical moments and lyrics that are so heart-warming and poignant that you find yourself tearing up, in a good way.”
For those unfamiliar with the story, “Shrek the Musical Jr.”—based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film—follows an ogre named Shrek, whose swamp is invaded by “fairytale misfits.” They report that they have been sent there by Lord Farquaad.
Shrek sets off on a quest to reclaim his swap with his sidekick Donkey, with a few twists and turns along the way.
Ganz said the theme of the play couldn’t be more fitting for the time: After returning to school post-COVID, she said many students were struggling with anxiety and depression after being isolated. Like Shrek in the story, the students have all had to re-socialize and adapt to a new “normal.”
“Shrek was isolated to his swamp from the time he was 7 [years old] because he was ‘different.’ He proclaims to prefer being alone, but as the story goes on, he realizes the importance of friendship,” Ganz explained. “This group has really relished the humor of the show and they have a lot of enthusiasm for this show … The main theme of ‘Shrek’ is that you don’t have to be like everyone else to fit in, that sense of belonging in a community is something that is essential for everyone.
“The characters in ‘Shrek’ find that, the actors feel that and the audience is going to get that as well … It’s a relatable message for kids in middle school and beyond, a time when many teens are searching for their own identities … Shrek has never been a more relevant story for children.”
Ganz said the cast began rehearsing together last December during Paul Revere’s afterschool musical theater workshop, which allowed students to learn the music and choreography from the show and prepare for auditions, which were held in February.
Choreographer Rebecca Barragan and Assistant Director Aaron Jung started teaching the choreography during two 90-minute sessions each week, and the children rehearsed the ensemble pieces for two months.
After auditions, Ganz said they double or triple cast the 12 main roles in the show, which allows each actor to play their main role for two or three shows and rotate into the ensemble for the remaining shows.
“There are 30 kids in the cast, most actors are playing two roles,” she said to the Post. “Casting kids in shows is brutal because you want everyone to have a role that allows them a sense of being an essential part of the story. This is why I double and triple cast our shows.
“It’s a lot more work for the team, but very satisfying for the kids who have dedicated so much time to learning a show.”
Ganz added that this year’s ensemble is joined by Anna, a makeup artist who arrived in Pacific Palisades from Ukraine with her family, hoping to find work.
“She needed work, we needed a makeup artist and it was just meant to be,” she said. “We are honored to be working with Anna.”
The show will kick off on Friday, May 13, at 4 p.m. with a preview performance to raise funds for UNICEF to help children in Ukraine. The school won’t be selling tickets, only accepting donations towards this fundraiser.
“The show on May 13 will actually be our second time fundraising for Ukraine,” Ganz said. “As I began watching the horrific events unfold in Ukraine, and that feeling of helplessness was coming on, I realized that it was important to help our children feel empowered, to be able to be of service … by hosting these fundraiser performances.”
Thereafter, the show will run on Saturday, May 14, and Saturday, May 21, at 4 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 22, at 2 p.m. at Paul Revere’s Auditorium, located at 1450 Allenford Avenue.
General admission tickets will be $10.
To purchase tickets or view a complete list of showtimes, visit illumevate.ticketspice.com/shrek-the-musical-jr.
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