Public Radio for the Central Kenai Peninsula
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Carhartts and Xtratufs Ball — get tickets here!

Second weekend of 'Shrek: The Musical' opens tonight

Kenai Performers

  Opening tonight for its second weekend at the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium is a new generation of Disney musical, presented by the Kenai Performers. Directed by Terri Zoph, “Shrek: The Musical” has most in common with the first of the animated Shrek films.

“It gives, though, some of the back story. You find out who Shrek’s parents are, and you find out about who Farquaad’s father is,” said Zoph. “And his mother -  You hear about her, even though she sadly passed away under very interesting circumstances. So you get to find out a lot about the back story of the characters.”

And it wouldn’t be Shrek without his trusty sidekick, Donkey.

“And wait until you see Spenser McCaullif. He is brilliant. He’s your friend family pharmacist, but at night, be becomes: Donkey! And he has got some of the funniest lines, some of the best physical comedy. His timing,” Zoph said. “But he’s managed to keep that innocence that Donkey has. Donkey is a mixture of he thinks he knows it all, but he’s really naive and innocent, and he is amazing. And he has this amazing trained voice.”

While Zoph handled most of the choreography, Sal Cassano choreographed the tap dance routines in the show. She said the fact that many were inexperienced gave her a clean slate to train them.

“That’s like music to my ears, because I know I can get them to dance. We had about - what was it? About six weeks, eight weeks? We’ve got about 20 tapping rats now and they’ve just done phenomenal,” she said. “I think we’re going to keep our tap club going at Kenai Performers and have tap numbers ready to roll at the drop of a dime.”

Mark Gallagher, who plays Papa Bear, says the show has something for everyone.

“One of the reasons I think this particular plays is popular is, first of all it’s a musical comedy. There are many layers to it. That’s why I think adults and children will be drawn to it,” he said. “There’s lessons about loyalty, ethics, love, perseverance, the individual. So yes, it is a musical comedy, but there are so many life lessons that we’ve experienced from the show. And Terri has brought this out just brilliantly in her directing.”

New this year is a special $15 admission price on March 1, and matinees both this and next Saturday, as well as the Saturday night performances and Sunday matinees. Zopf also has an incentive for folks who’d like enjoy the fun more than once.

“And on the suggestion of Jodene and Doug McCaullife, if you want to see it again, and we highly recommend you see it more than once ‘cause there’s so much going on, but if you see it again, but if you turn your ticket stub over, on the back side it says ‘if you want to come a second time, you only pay 15, space available,’” she said. “Of course I’m hoping we’re totally sold out, but any seats that are available if you want to come a second time, you only have to pay $15 to see it.”

“Shrek: The Musical” opens its second weekend tonight at the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium at Kenai Central High School. Tickets are available online at Kenai Performers dot org and at the door.

Related Content