KWP Productions to Present SHREK THE MUSICAL, 4/15-24

"Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek..." Thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue.

KWP Productions will present Shrek The Musical, the award-winning fairy tale adventure based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film from April 15th through April 24th at the William T. Dwyer High School Theatre in Palm Beach Gardens.

With new songs by Jeanine Tesosri (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline or Change, and the 2015 Tony Award-winner Fun Home) and a book by David Lindsay-Abaire, whose previous works include High Fidelity, Good People, and Rabbit Hole, which won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Shrek The Musical debuted on Broadway in December of 2008 and went on to win Tony and Drama Desk awards.

Along with the show's beloved green hero, the musical features a short tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits. Irreverently fun for the whole family, Shrek The Musical empowering message is that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre.

Director Kimberly Rommel-Enright's cast includes Michael Cartwright as Shrek, Whitney Grace Smith as Fiona, Sean Gogan as Donkey, and Angelo Ferraro as Farquaad.

"Shrek was near the top of my list of roles that I really wanted to play, so I was very excited when I found out that KWP was going to be putting on this production," says Cartwright. "The music in the show is incredible and it's a story familiar to almost everyone (there may be 10 people in the nation who have never seen one of the Shrek movies!), as it follows the plot of the first movie pretty closely. Shrek is such an iconic character in modern pop culture, so there is a certain pressure to get it right, but I'm ecstatic to be taking on the challenge. My experience with KWP was phenomenal with the production of The Addams Family, so I couldn't wait to work with them again."

"To me Shrek The Musical is about discovering that you can love fully and be loved fully by being your true self," says the show's Fiona, Whitney Grace Smith. "One of my favorite life quotes is "you are enough, you are so enough, it's unbelievable how enough you are." As Fiona, there are so many times when I have to hide my ogre side until eventually I just burst out! Literally! When I finally decide to be who I really am, my life is changed!

"Learning this role has been one of the most enthralling experiences of my life," she continues. "Working with Kim, Lindsay White (choreographer), and Dominic Raffa (music director) has been such a joy and an incredible learning experience. Traveling into another world with Mike (Shrek), Sean (Donkey), and Angelo (Farquaad) has been filled with so much laughter, growth, and encouragement that I've seen my character come to life in an extraordinary way. Between the dancing rats, quick-witted humor, and moving songs, this show is definitely a hit and I can't wait for everyone to see it!"

Shrek The Musical will run from April 15 - April 24, 2016 at William T. Dwyer High School Theatre. Tickets for Shrek range from $27 - $15. Tickets may be purchased at the on line at http://kwpproductions.com or by phone at 561-339-4687.

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