Published November 8, 2018

NORTH READING — Tickets for “Shrek the Musical,” the fall performance of the North Reading High School Masquers, are on sale now for the back-to-back weekend shows coming up on Friday, November 30 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 1 at 4 p.m., Friday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 8 at 4 p.m.

Bring the whole family to enjoy this musical based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film that started it all.

All performances will be held at the North Reading High School Daniel H. Shay Performing Arts Center, 189 Park St.  Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for seniors (55+), and $12 children and students (with valid student ID). They can be purchased online at ticketstage.com. All seats are assigned. Call the box office with any questions at 978-526-5430 or email nrperformingarts@gmail.com. 

SHREK Costume Designer Ellie DeCleene (left) puts the finishes touches on a dress designed for Mikaela O’Driscoll, a Batchelder fifth-grader cast as Gretel in the production. Over 200 costumes are being hand made for the musical. (Mary Lasdin Photo)

Shrek brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre to life on stage. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre – not a handsome prince – shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a villain with a short temper, a cookie with an attitude and dozens of other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero.

Luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek. Featuring a terrific score of songs, big laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, “Shrek the Musical” has been proclaimed as “Far, far and away the funniest musical on Broadway.

The cast of Shrek includes seniors Christina Lasdin as Fiona and Billy Shaw as The Big Bad Wolf; juniors Sam Giunta as Shrek and Stewart Garniss as Lord Farquaad; sophomore Preston Lydotes as Donkey; and freshman Katie Leach as Dragon.

There are 61 additional elementary and high school students rounding out the cast and crew for this power-packed production.

The creative team, under the direction of Allison Kane, includes Music Director/Conductor John Eldridge, Choreographer Chrissy Bowman, Assistant  Directors Ben Owens and Andrea Gagnon, Technical Director Peter Kane, Assistant Technical Director Marissa Berry and Costume Designer Kathy Sullivan.

Called part romance, part twisted fairy tale, and irreverent fun for everyone, Director Allison Kane says, “I’m excited that Shrek will be performed by this group of students. Each year poses new hurdles and obstacles and I always wonder how we’ll manage to accomplish it. But NRHS has quite an amazing program. Our students collaborate in design and execution and create original designs that are difficult to rival having been recognized on both stage and national levels.”

With only four seniors in the entire production, Kane added, “This is a young cast, yet it is running as professionally and as smoothly as if these students have been doing it for years.”

“Once again, we’ve put some serious magic into this show. This being our 50th year, I have become a believer that if you really want it, you can do it. This will be a spectacular time for audiences old and young,” Kane said.

The show runs approximately 2 1/2 hours and includes an intermission. Handicapped-accessible seating is available both up front and in the rear of the theater. Please contact the box office for assistance ordering specific handicap-accessible seats.

EVEN AN OGRE needs walls. Lots of lumber goes into building a set for a fairy tale, as Masquers construction crew member Brandon DeCleene has discovered while helping to build the set for “Shrek the Musical.” (Mary Lasdin Photo)

“Shrek The Musical” was nominated for seven Tony Awards in 2009 (including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Orchestrations), winning the Tony for Best Costume Design.

It also received 12 Drama Desk Award nominations winning Outstanding Actor in a Musical, Outstanding Set Design, and Outstanding Costume Design. Shrek also won the Grammy award for Best Musical Show Album.

Broadway Brunch Dec. 2

And returning this year is the Broadway Brunch, Sunday, December 2 at 11 a.m. Enjoy a hot brunch with a special arrangement with Chartwells, at North Reading High School.

Ticket packages include brunch, character “Meet and Greet” with many photo-ops with the entire cast, a backstage tour of the Misfit Swamp and inner workings of the performance, games, activities, arts and crafts and more. In addition, each ticket holder will be automatically entered to win a choice of three prizes including a chance to manipulate the Broadway Tour’s dragon.

Brunch tickets are $15 pre-purchased online or $20 at the door. They can also be purchased at www.ticketstage.com.

For more information about the musical, Broadway Brunch or tickets for both event, please visit the Masquers website: https://masquers.weebly.com.