Following up last year’s production of Catch Me if You Can, the Arrowhead Broadway Company continues the trend of film-musical adaptations with Shrek: The Musical, coming this fall to Arrowhead’s North Campus Theater.  This musical is an adaptation of the 2001 Dreamworks animated film starring Mike Meyers.  The show runs from October 19-22; those who wish to buy tickets may go to this website. 

Brady Shiro is…Shrek

Junior Brady Shiro plays the titular ogre and lead of the play (alongside Donkey and Fiona).  

Shiro says that if he could be any character in the musical apart from the role he got, he would be “Donkey.”

“Practice has been really good!” according to Shiro and the cast is focusing “on big dance numbers and vocals for songs.”

Before rehearsals started, the Broadway Company had a “camp week” with a focus on “team bonding,” says Shiro. 

Gabby Woida is…Mama Ogre

Junior Gabby Woida plays the mother of Shrek.  She also appears as a Dunlop dancer and plays the Queen of Hearts.

Woida says that her “favorite song in Shrek is Who I’d Be.”  She adds that “the vocals are amazing and it’s such a heartbreaking yet beautiful song.”

Also, Woida says that “the auditioning process” for Broadway Company shows is “always different.  Sometimes our directors need to see different people perform different song[s]” but the Shrek “audition[ing] process was quick.”

Practice “has been going fantastic” according to Woida and says that “everything really comes to life” when they “start getting into costumes”

Nora Fawley is…Gingy

Junior Nora Fawley plays a sugarplum fairy named Gingy.  This character is a puppet that operates as a fairy.

Fawley says that her favorite song is “When Words Fail” because it “show[s] a side of Shrek” that is more than “just a big stupid ugly ogre.”

Adding on, Fawley explains that “rehearsals usually go until 5 or 6” but go “until 9” closer to the show. 

As for the accuracy of the film to the play, Fawley says that “the musical is pretty accurate to the film” in terms of “plot and themes” but differs because “characters…break into song a lot.”

Alongside those interviewed, students Nora Perugini, Jr Araque, and more will be performing in 

“These people and roles were meant to be,” says Woida.