Windy City Performs Announces Cast Of SHREK THE MUSICAL

Windy City Performs, Chicago's fastest-growing professional theatre and school, is pleased to announce the professional, adult cast for its summer Mainstage show, Shrek the Musical.

Based on the Oscar-winning Dreamworks Animation film, Shrek The Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, featuring music by Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie; Fun Home) and book by David Lindsay-Abaire. Shrek brings all the beloved characters from the film to life on stage. The score includes songs like "Story of My Life," "Freak Flag" "Big, Bright Beautiful World," and "I'm A Believer."

The WCP professional cast will be led by Aaron Reese Boseman (Shrek), Mandi Carrao (Princess Fiona), Larry Trice (Donkey), and Tanner Bradshaw (Lord Farquaad). The rest of the adult cast includes: Lydia Burke (Dragon), Levi Skoog (Pinocchio), Adam Thatcher (Big Bad Wolf), Jordan Nazos (Thelonious & Wicked Witch); Amanda Walsh (Humpty Dumpty), Lindsay Cummings (Mama Ogre & Fairy Godmother), Garrett Sayers (Little Pig), Neill Kelly (Little Pig), Tyler Sonkin (Papa Bear), and Natalie Kreft (Ugly Duckling).

In keeping with the Company's core mission of performing arts education, the cast will also include nearly 20 auditioned youth and teen performers in various cameo and ensemble roles.

Founding Artistic Director Jerry R. Soria-Foust will direct the show. Jenna Schoppe, 2018 Jeff Award nominee, will serve as choreographer for the show, and Matt Salvo will serve as music director. The design team includes Emmy Weldon as scenic designer and Amy Chmielewski as costume designer.

This production will be the final of 2018-18. WCP's 2018-19 season will be announced on May 1.

Rehearsals for Shrek the Musical begin in mid-June. The show opens August 4, and plays weekends through the end of August. Performances will be held at the Company's blackbox theatre, the Playhouse @ Jefferson Park, 4766 No. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago. Tickets are available at the website, or by calling the office: www.windycityperforms.org / 312.324.3700.

Windy City Performs is Chicago's fastest growing professional theatre and performing arts school. Founded as Youth Company Chicago, the Company has grown from seven students and a rehearsal studio in 2012, to now serving over 1500 students each year, and performing for thousands and thousands of audience members. The Company renovated a 100-year-old movie theatre in 2016, and now calls the Playhouse @ Jefferson Park, its permanent performance home.

Our Conservatory staff believe that kids have the ability to command their own audiences. Our programs give experienced and developing students, from toddler to teen, the opportunity to participate in high-quality, fully-produced musical theatre pieces, as well as skills-based classes in music and dance. We have partnerships with nearly 20 public and private schools to bring our high-quality programs, including semi-produced performances, right to their schools.

In our programs, aspiring young performers work with some of the best directors, choreographers, and designers in Chicagoland. Cast members of Conservatory productions receive ongoing training in acting, voice and movement during the rehearsal period. And what they take from our programs is so much more - personal and interpersonal skills, and friendships - that will last a lifetime.

Our Professional season features some of Chicago's most dynamic professional actors, as well as auditioned youth and teens. We specialize in presenting big, high-quality, family-friendly musicals in a small, intimate space.

For more information about Windy City Performs, visit our website: www.windycityperforms.org

In 2018, WCP opened a sister campus, offering youth and teen performances programs, in Michigan City's robust Uptown Arts District, at its newly-acquired space, 906 Franklin Square. (www.indianaperforms.org)

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