Forty-seven St. John’s eighth grade students were involved in the spring production of Shrek the Musical as part of their third trimester musical elective. They were joined by an additional 13 enthusiastic younger siblings comprising the guest cast. Audience members of all ages were captivated throughout the five sold-out shows in the school’s Stephanie Judd Clements Performance Hall.
Musical Theatre is a very popular, production-based elective in which students rehearse and perform a classic Broadway musical. Working under the direction of drama specialist Tom Parr and music teacher Jean Haynes, the cast was the largest ever to perform on the St. John’s stage.
Parr said, “Shrek was a huge undertaking, and I am so proud of the students. Likewise, the faculty and parents were very supportive.” He added, “Hopefully this is the beginning of more large-scale musicals to come."
Other production leadership was provided by math teacher Katherine Potter (choreography), guitar teacher Bill Malloy (band), Kristin Parr (costumes), and Kathy Winn (production design). Most of the cast members served double duty, also managing the stage, props, costumes, dance, music and technical design.
The familiar and endearing story is based on the 2001 DreamWorks film Shrek and William Steig's 1990 book Shrek! When a band of fairytale creatures show up on his property, the stubborn and reclusive ogre Shrek embarks on a journey to get his privacy back. Many adventures ensue, and the story concludes with true love and “happily ever after.”
“We had an amazing cast and crew this year,” said Parr. “It was also so fun to have many younger siblings performing on the stage.”
Cast and crew members: Elise Welch, Zachary Laird, Megan Ortman, John Donahue, Caroline Kulas, Megan Muscato, Gray Breidenbach, Jenna Conn, Connor Chen, Moreau Pierson, Peyton Groom, Isabella Poscente, Destinee White, Aidan Houk, Bolton Beck, Drake Parrish, Sarah Buhmann, Ally Corsi, Devun Cannon, Allison Herring, Lily Booth, Lou West, John McVicker, Truman Litle, Hank Parsons, Joanna Leitch, Ashley Dulye, Katherine Ferguson, Vivian Racz, Emma Viquez, Hanna Goodwyn, Lily Houdek, Hannah-Leigh Hopkins, Kate Agostini, Maddie Lane, Emily Schopmeyer, Kaycie Meinhardt, Daniel Barrett, Rowan Mathews, Mac Jordan, Elizabeth Burns, Emma Name, Isabelle Gonzales, Kadia Kice, Cedar Maxwell and Reagan Beasley.
Guest cast members were: Elora Parr, Willa Parr, Mary Cate Houk, Andrew Herring, Collin Hopkins, Davis Chen, Mathew Muscato, Emma Ortman, Sawyer Beck, Jett Beck, William Kulas, Pace Maxwell and Will McVicker.