Culture

Fairy Tales Come To Life In ABC Players’ “Shrek The Musical”


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It’s the perfect love story. He’s the ugly ogre we all hate and fear, and she’s an enchanted princess with an attitude.

Complicating their romance is a scheming nobleman who wants the princess for himself, a dragon guarding the princess’s tower, and a crowd of frustrated fairy tale characters who are tired of being treated like second-class citizens.

With songs, dances and humor that should appeal to all ages, the cast and crew of Shrek the Musical hope to provide a strong message about embracing differences among people. The show, staged by the ABC Players, is being performed March 13-22 at Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville.

The title role of Shrek is played by Joe Asente, joined by Princess Fiona (Jenn Fritchley) and Donkey (Matt Johnson), Shrek’s “noble steed” and friend.

Dayton Willison plays the scheming, height-challenged Lord Farquaad, Rita Preston is The Dragon, and a rather confused Pinocchio is played by Orion Carter.

Other cast members include Joe Balding, Joshua Bogoniewski, Seth Bogoniewski, Caleb Bryant, Lee Carter, Annie Haseley, Andrea Hashman, Nathan Hashman, Ben King, Mindy King, Adeel Koshal,Sydney Lewis, Zoie Lanning, Jodi MacNeal, Riley Maffin, Christine Neumann, Celeste Parsons, Jordan Proffitt, Becca Robinson, Sandy Russell, Jackson Savage, Linda Watkins and David Whealey.

Sponsored by Hocking Valley Bank, Shrek the Musical is directed by Sylvia Abbott with music direction by Lynn Sullivan and choreography by Jenn Fritchley. The technical crew includes Dayton Willison (costumes), Hannah Sickles (backdrop art) and Ardelle Donohue (props).

Performances will take place at 8 p.m. on March 13, 14, 20 and 21, with a special matinee show at 2 p.m. on March 22.

Adult tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Admission for children and students is $7. Tickets are available at the door or online at www.stuartsoperahouse.org. The show is sponsored by the Hocking Valley Bank.

Photos by Mark Clavin/WOUB Public Media