Theatre Aspen School's SHREK Begins Today

Theatre Aspen School (TAS) presents the spring production of Shrek, The Musical by the Winter Teen Conservatory and Young Company. The crowd-pleasing musical takes place at Aspen's Wheeler Opera House today, Dec. 11 - Sat. Dec 13, with evening shows at 7:00pm, and a matinee on Sat., Dec. 13 at 2:00pm.

A special meet and greet, "SHREK-CEPTION," will take place following the show on Friday the 12th and will include Ogreish nibbles and libation along with an opportunity to get photos taken with the cast. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for students 18 and under, and may be purchased at the Wheeler Opera House Box office at 320 E. Hyman Ave., online at www.aspenshowtix.com or by calling 970.920.5770.

TAS's presentation of Shrek, The Musical is under the artistic leadership of TAS' experienced professionals, led by Director Graham Northrup, Theatre Aspen's Director of Education and Outreach. The musical director is Jonathan Gorst, who served as the music director for the Broadway tour of Phantom of the Opera. The choreographer and stage manager is Alie Walsh, a Teaching Artist for TAS, who most recently directed TAS's production of Seussical while staring in Theatre Aspen's production of Little Women.

Shrek, The Musical features a cast of 35 talented Roaring Fork Valley students from Aspen to Glenwood Springs. The leads are TJ Kaiser as Shrek, Lyon Hamill as the Donkey, Beth Fawley as Fiona, and Luke Ryan as Prince Farquaad.

The other members of the cast include Annie Caine, Gigi Coghlan, Jo Dominguez, Clare Donovan, Jack Dresser, Nakiri Gallagher-Cave, Nick Galambos, Jaclyn Harris, Talitha Jones, Louise Lipsey, William Luckett, Morgan Malcolm, Luis Martinez, Maxine Mellin, Karlie Nelson, Mae Sharaf, Audra Shield-Taylor and Lilli Smalls.

The production also features a Young Company Ensemble, comprised of talented 4th through 7th graders Ronnie Bedford, Katie Dangler, Ellie Dangler, Spencer Diamond, Eliza Domingos, Linnea Earl, Felix Frisch, Garrett Greene, Eliza Marolt, Willow Poschman, Micah Sanders-Silva, Ruby Walker, and Charlotte Zuker.

Based on the Dreamworks Animation Motion Picture adopted from William Steig's 1990 book, Shrek!, Shrek, The Musical thrills with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. The humorous and touching story of friendship and true love revolves around the ogre Shrek, his sidekick, Donkey and Fiona the princess who live in the kingdom of Duloc ruled by the diminutive Lord Farquaad, and includes a band of fairytale creatures. Favorite songs include "Big Bright Beautiful World," "Freak Flag," and "Welcome to Duloc."

Theatre Aspen School (TAS) offers theatre education for children ages 5-18, as well as adults. The school's approach emphasizes providing high-quality professional training in the various elements of theatre - both onstage and backstage - in lieu of merely just providing a performance opportunity. The organization's goal is to build character and confidence in its students. Registration for TAS spring after-school classes is underway. For further information contact Graham Northrup, at 970.925.9313 or visit www.theatreaspen.org.

Theatre Aspen School is supported by ANB Bank, Juliet Shield-Taylor, The Robins Foundation and Jackie and Jerry Kehle.

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