The South Arkansas Arts Center wishes to announce the cast of the upcoming Youth Theatre's production of Dreamworks "Shrek The Musical JR.," which will run April 11-13, 2024. The play is under the direction of Andria Gleghorn and Cassie Hickman and is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of El Dorado.
Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in "Shrek The Musical JR." It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favorite ogre, Shrek (Parker Thomas), leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.
Opening the tale are the four Storytellers (Gabby Johnson, Grace Lewis, Jill Miller and Emily Riley). As they frolic in the woods along with the woodland creatures (Eva Johnson, McKynlie Raley, Makenna Thurkill, Charlotte Sneed), they introduce the audience to Little Shrek (Finlee Gilkey) and his parents (Lexi Louden, Micah Johnson).
As the years pass, Shrek finds contentment living alone in a swamp. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast-off by royal decree from Lord Farquaad (Luke Louden), a tiny terror with big ambitions, and evicted by the Captain of the Guards (Jon Tyler Davis).
Ogres want to be left alone, and Shrek is no exception. Occupying Shrek's swamp are Pinocchio (Evie Johnson), Gingy the Gingerbread Man (Cole Taylor) and a motley crew of other fairytale creatures (Davis Blanchard, Josey Camacho, Harper Davis, Alexandria Ellen, Bram Johnson, Eleanor Kriehn, Katie Wynn Legg, Josie Mann, Addy Miller, Gunnar Mote, Anabelle Odom).
While being chased by the Captain of the Guard and his henchmen (Barrett Jenkins, Grace Lewis), Shrek sets off with a wisecracking Donkey (Luke Legg) to confront Farquaad. Along the way, Shrek is handed the task of rescuing the feisty princess Fiona (Audrey Henderson) so his swamp can be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona's love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn't be complete without a few twists and turns along the way, even including facing a dragon (Haven Gathright).
Part romance and part twisted fairytale, Shrek Jr. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family. Come see the amazing SAAC youth Theatre cast perform this hilarious adventure.
"Shrek The Musical JR." is presented by arrangement with MTI. For more information or to reserve tickets for this show, please call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit the website at www.saac-arts.org. SAAC is located at 110 East Fifth Street, El Dorado, Arkansas.