Review Roundup: Beck Center Presents SHREK THE MUSICAL

The holiday season is already underway and Beck Center for the Arts has created a great lineup of family-friendly events to keep your hearts warm despite the frigid temperatures! From magical musical theater and dance performances on tour, to an exhibition tradition and hilarious youth theater, there's sure to be something memorable for people of all ages and abilities.

Check the most difficult person to shop for off of your list with Beck Center's annual Limelight Holiday Exhibition. The exhibit is open now through Monday, January 7, 2019. Original paintings, glass art, prints, illustrations, jewelry, and more from artists Linda Merchant, Nancy Nelson-Brotz, Lisa Ruschman, Patricia Sigmier, and Jenny Whitehead are available for purchase.

Move over Mr. Grinch! Beck is welcoming a different kind of green character to our stage and his name is Shrek! Beck takes on Shrek The Musical on the Mackey Theater stage December 7, 2018 - January 6, 2019. Based on the Dreamworks Animation Motion Picture and book by William Steig with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, Shrek The Musical boasts impressive credits. Originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions and originally directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford. Beck Center's production will be directed by Scott Spence, Artistic Director of Beck Center for the Arts, with musical direction by Larry Goodpaster, and choreography by Martín Céspedes. Featuring Gilgamesh (G.A.) Taggett as Shrek courtesy of the Actor's Equity Association (AEA). Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). Tickets are on sale now.

All information regarding dates, times, and tickets is available online at beckcenter.org or by calling Customer Service at 216.521.2540 x10. Beck Center for the Arts is located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, just ten minutes west of downtown Cleveland. Free onsite parking is available.

Let's see what the critics have to say!

Bob Abelman, Cleveland Jewish Journal: Under Scott Spence's fun-forward direction and with Martín Céspedes' joyous choreography that is perfectly in sync with the show's orchestrations, the uninhibited and gifted ensemble takes us on a thoroughly enjoyable adventure. In fact, every ensemble number is a celebration, complete with exceptional vocal talent, remarkable dancing, and contagious exuberance. And while every ensemble member is superb, Meredith Aleigha Wells as the Ugly Duckling, Hallie Walker as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Antonio Dejesus as Pinocchio are particularly so.

Kelly Clawson, Ohio.com: Jeanine Tesori's score includes a cool blend of pop, rock, R&B, traditional Broadway and even Celtic flavors. And a big part of what makes this musical so much fun is the irreverent, witty lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, especially in "Story of My Life" as the show's fairy-tale misfits introduce themselves.

Laura Kennelly, Cool Cleveland: Natalie Steen brought charm (and always tasteful comic vulgarity) to the ladylike demeanor of Princess Fiona, a beauty seeking to kiss her one true love and thus remove the terrible spell she had been cursed with. As the very short Lord Farquaad, Brian Altman ruled supreme in his role, one which required significant physical effort, especially when he danced.

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