The Playhouse Youth Company At Bucks County Presents SHREK THE MUSICAL JR.

The Playhouse Youth Company at Bucks County Playhouse will present a one-hour, family-friendly adaptation of the Broadway musical "Shrek, Jr." tailored especially for young audiences. The show will run July 24 - August 3, 2018, on the Bucks County Playhouse stage. There are evening performances on Wednesday, July 24 and Sunday, July 28 at 7:30 pm. Daytime performances are July 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, and August 1, 2 and 3 at 10:30 a.m.

Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in "Shrek The Musical JR.", based on the Oscar-winning Dreamworks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical. It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, "Shrek JR." is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.

Once upon a time, in a faraway swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he's handed a task- if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona's love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn't be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.

The Playhouse Youth Company production is directed by Broadway and Television actress/director Kate Wetherhead ("The Other Josh Cohen" Off-Broadway, BCP's "Ebenezer Scrooge's Big Playhouse Christmas Show" and "Company") and choreographed by Patrice Soriero with music direction by Kyle Duke. The creative team includes Tom Watson (Set Design), Jacob Gilbert (Lighting Design), Brian Strachan (Costume Design) and Ryan Walsh (Sound Design). Talia Heldenmuth is production stage manager.

"Shrek, Jr." features a cast consisting of 17 local performers ages 14-17 who are selected by audition for this conservatory-style training program. The young performers will participate in daily workshops and classes in musical theater performance, acting, dance, voice, and improvisation, while also attending guest workshops led by working theater professionals. This highly competitive program showcases and cultivates promising young artists who are preparing to audition for college theater programs and other professional theater productions throughout the region.

"The Playhouse Youth Company's production brings some of the most talented young and emerging artists from the region together with BCP theater professionals to create an extraordinary theatrical experience for all ages in our community," said Michaela Murphy, Director of Education. "We are proud to offer both young artists the opportunity to perform in a professionally produced production and established artists the chance to share the benefits of their professional experience. "

"Directing the Playhouse Youth Company in 'Cinderella' last summer was one of the highlights of my career," says Shrek, Jr. director, Kate Wetherhead. "The talent, generosity and infectious joy of the students reminded me why I fell in love with theater in the first place. I could not wait to return to direct 'Shrek' this summer - a show about learning to see, and appreciate, what makes each of us unique; and about letting the unexpected lead to the most magical adventures."

"I'd just about given up in my search for a show featuring a slimy green ogre, a sassy donkey, a vertically challenged wanna-be prince, and a belching princess. And then, a miracle: BCP invited me to choreograph this swampy musical, wherein we discover how to recognize our own self-worth and where inner beauty truly lies-without getting entrapped by any self-help click-bait. And all in an hour!" says choreographer, Patrice Soriero.

Youth Company participants this year represent 12 different high schools and middle schools in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The cast includes: Jack Benson, Shane Hickey, CJ Lande and Jack Prisco from Central Bucks High School West High School; Gabe Blaikie from Lehigh Valley Charter School for Performing Arts School; Eliot Block and Emily Griffen from Hopewell Valley Central High School; Devyn Costello-Henderson from Abington Friends School; Emmie Herman from Delaware Township School; Meghan Jenkins from Bridgewater Raritan High School; Ellie Kuhnle, Anna Polsky and Anna Shea Safran from Lenape Middle School; Grace Lee from Timberlane Middle School; Portia Murphy from Commonwealth Charter Academy; Cole Vitelli from Hunterdon Central Regional High School; and Shane Stoltz from Council Rock High School South.

Tickets are $12 for children ages 4-12, and $17 for adults, plus fees. No children under 4 will be permitted in the theater. Single tickets to "Shrek The Musical, Jr." are on sale now. For full details, and to purchase tickets, please visit buckscountyplayhouse.org, call 215-862-2121, or visit the box office at 70 South Main Street, New Hope, PA. For groups of 10 or more, contact Sales Manager Kathy Pappas at kathy@bcptheater.org or 267-740-2090 x102.

The Playhouse Youth Company is one of several education initiatives and programs offered at the Playhouse. BCP Education offers a wide variety of programs in musical theatre, playwriting, storytelling, and devised theatre for children through adults. For more information or to register for fall programs, visit buckscountyplayhouse.org.

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