By Mandy Christopher
The LPS Drama Club will be streaming Shrek Jr. online for all to view October 7th-11th. This musical was set to be performed the first weekend in April, but was postponed due to Covid-19. Along with my Co-director Alison Garland we knew we would have to get creative if we wanted to safely share Shrek Jr. with an audience. This was something that we wanted to make happen for the cast who worked so hard from November of last year, up to the school closure in March.
After a five month break, we planned what would be a first for both of us: a pre-recorded musical, with students in masks, and socially distanced at nine feet apart. It was a huge feat to hurdle over, but after three weeks of intense four day a week rehearsals, the cast recorded the musical in small groups over one weekend. Although it may appear that the groups are bigger, rehearsals could include no more than fifteen students. This meant that the musical was filmed in small groups, not in chronological order. Production One professionally filmed and recorded the groups to make the show flow in order with ease.
If you have seen one of the LPS Drama Club productions before, you know that sets and costumes are a must to make the show look its best. However, since money was not made during the spring production as usual, this meant scaling back for the virtual performance. We wanted to ensure that there would be enough funds left within the LPS Drama Club to continue theatre for many years to come.
Shrek Jr., which is a fairytale like no other, is a story about Shrek (played by Toby Harrell), who finds love and friendship where he least expects it. He is taken on a journey to get his swamp back when it is taken over by fairytale creatures. Along the way he meets Donkey (played by Porter Spiceland), who teaches him an important lesson about learning to love himself for who he is. He is challenged by Lord Farquaad (played by Caroline Adams) to rescue a princess named Fiona (played by Kensley Gray), for him to marry. The story takes its turn there as Shrek learns to love as he never thought possible.
You do not want to miss this show! Shrek Jr. will be streaming October 7th, 8th, and 9th at 6 pm, and October 10th and 11th at 2 pm and 6 pm. You can purchase tickets at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/40787. Any donations made throughout the event will help continue to fund the LPS Drama Club in their future performances.
