Lincoln Community Theatre
Shrek the Musical opens Thursday night at Johnston Center for Performing Arts

 

[July 24, 2019] 

LINCOLN 

 The Lincoln Community Theatre summer season will conclude by turning green with the musical comedy Shrek the Musical, with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Linsday-Abaire.

The show will run for five performances: shows at 7:30 pm July 25-27 and 2 pm July 28-29. The matinee for the Saturday performance is a recent addition because tickets are selling quickly.

All performances will be held at the Johnston Center for the Performing Arts at Lincoln College.

Shrek the Musical is based on the 2001 animated film Shrek, following the story of an ogre who prefers his loneliness over people, but is forced on a journey to seek a princess so he can have his swamp back as he likes it. During the journey, he joins forces with a talking donkey on his mission from Lord Farquaad. When he meets Princess Fiona and rescues her during a dramatic fight scene with a fire-breathing dragon, Shrek learns that the princess and he have more in common that one would think and maybe having someone to share his swamp isn’t all that bad.

“Shrek the Musical celebrates the journey we take to realize that people are in our path for a reason even if we think we are better off alone,” said director Jennifer Keith.

Shrek is played by David Helm, Fiona is Brittney McLaughlin, and Donkey is Justin Brandon. Lord Farquaad is played by Brian Bolton and the Dragonesses are Sheralyn Bolton, Kristin Wheeler and Carissa Davis.

The cast of 40 comes from all over the community: Lincoln, Springfield, Pleasant Plains, Riverton, Rochester, Bloomington-Normal and more.

“It’s just wonderful to bring all this talent together for this funny performance. Our cast ranges in age from 7 to almost 70 and we have built this Shrek family of amazing singers and comedians over the last 8 weeks, ready to entertain Lincoln,” added Keith.

The cast take on numerous roles throughout the show, becoming fairytale creatures, happy villagers and even parts of a wall.

David Helm as Shrek and Brittney McLaughlin as Fiona rehearse a scene from Shrek the Musical, Lincoln Community Theatre's finale of the 2019 summer season. Performances run July 25-28 at Johnston Center on the campus of Lincoln College.

Additional cast members include: Susan Wheeler, John David Pickett, Tegan Follis, Lanie Ihlenfeldt, Emma Adams, Kailey Norton, Michael Koke, Zildjian Bolton, Azul Kong, Reece Winebrinner, Jasmine Howe, Charlotte Judd, Kaylee Thomas, Anna Goldsberry, Max Miller, Emersyn Keith, Marin Crombie, Sadie Bolton, Caleb DeJarnette, Shaylyn Inselmann, Donna Kessinger, Jacinth Kong, Myah Bowman, Laure Hyppolite, Ann Brookens, Emily Davis, Olivia Kuhlman, Thomas Stauffer, Madison Kurka, Karri Caudle, Hailee Rempe, Chloe McFadden and Kori Singleton.

Vocal direction has been handled by Helm, while choreography was taught by Emily Martinez. Assisting the direction of the show is Katie Gosda and will be conducted by Nigel Range with accompaniment by Joe Garcia. Costume organization has been handled by Lisa Kuhlman and Carolyn Schreiber with set by Steve Schreiber and Jaime Voyles. Gracelyn Keith is orchestrating the props.

Tickets range are available at www. lincolncommunitytheatre.org  or at the box office phone [phone] to reserve or prepay. Tickets are moving quickly for the performances. Any available tickets will be sold at the door with the box office opening on hour prior to curtain time.

Ogre ears and ribbon wands to help with the magic of the show and a little audience participation will also be sold on site.

[Jennifer Keith]