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According to Children’s Repertory of OR Workshops (CROW), nasty will be nice and
Florence will be “ogre-the-moon” when CROW presents its fi fth main-stage production,
“Shrek the Musical Jr.” This fun and fl atulence-fi lled family musical will be presented
April 15-17 at the Florence Events Center, but this nonprofi t youth organization’s all-
volunteer production team has been working on it for nearly a year already! With music
by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, “Shrek The Musical Jr.” is
based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks animated fi lm and the book, Shrek, by William
Steig.
“Shrek The Musical Jr.” is an uproarious musical comedy that follows the adventures
of an ogre named “Shrek” (played by Jacob Ternyik) who sets off on a quest to save a
feisty princess (played by Lacey Seeley) from a giant soul-fi lled dragon (played by Nyah
Vollmar). However, it turns out that in order to ultimately succeed, Shrek must battle an
even bigger obstacle: learning how to believe in himself and open his heart to others.
Along the way, he meets his comedic sidekick, “Donkey” (played by Cameron Utz) and
goes nose to…navel with the diminutive “Lord Farquaad” (played by Tristin Reber).
With a cast of more than 50 children and young adults, including seven adorable
4- to 6-year-old “Telegrammers,” CROW works hard to provide the highest caliber sets,
costumes, props and special effects for participants.
“The arts have the power to impact our youth in ways that nothing else can,”
says Melanie Heard, artistic director of CROW. “Shrek’s unique story of discovery
encourages each of us to examine our prejudices, review what we believe to be our
YELLOW
limitations and work to better understand ourselves and others.
Our cast members have embarked on a similar journey, learning
more about themselves and each other while collaborating towards
the common goal of presenting this musical.”
As with anything CROW does, Heard stresses that “Shrek the
Musical Jr.” is much more than just cute kids singing and dancing.
“This musical holds a strong central theme, which is relatable to
all of us,” says Heard. Shrek has learned the hard way that “people
hate the things they cannot understand.” For many years he has
protected himself from the hurtful actions of those who are scared
of him by living as a recluse in a cozy cesspit.
One day, his peaceful swamp is disturbed by new tenants:
fairytale misfi ts — including Pinocchio, the Ugly Duckling, the
Wicked Witch, Peter Pan, the Three Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf —
who have been banished there by the villainous Lord Farquaad.
In order to gain back his land, Shrek makes a deal with Farquaad
to rescue Fiona from a tower guarded by a fi erce dragon. Setting
off with his wise-cracking companion, Donkey, Shrek begins the
journey of a lifetime fi lled with adventure, romance and hilarity.
Tickets are on sale now at the Florence Events Center. They
are $16 for adults and $8 for kids ages 12 and under. There will
be four public performances: Friday, April 15, at 7 p.m.; Saturday,
April 16 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 17, at 2 p.m.
Tickets can be obtained by calling: 541-997-1994 or online at
www.eventcenter.org
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C R OW t o p re s e nt h i l a r i o u s s p r i n g p ro d u c t i o n o f S h re k t h e M u s i c a l J r.
Siuslaw News
Supporting the Arts
www.thesiuslawnews.com
997-3441
For ticket information, contact The Florence Events Center box office at (541) 997-1994
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