Beverly Theatre Guild Closes Out 63rd Season With 'Shrek: The Musical'

CHICAGO–The Beverly Theatre Guild will present its 63rd season closer, “Shrek: The Musical.” This funky twist on classic fairy tales, based on the iconic movie, hits the boards April 24 through April 26 at the Baer Theater at Morgan Park Academy, the home of BTG.

“Shrek: The Musical” will be directed by Columbia College alum Ashley Keys (Maywood), with assistant direction by Katie Duffy Regalado (Beverly). Music Directors will be BTG’s seasoned dream team of Sharon Mason (Ashburn) and Michael Barr-Schinzel (Beverly).Choreagrpher Sarah Beth Lipsman (Chicago) is returning, whose work on last season's closer "Gypsy" wowed our audiences. This irreverently fun show for all ages is being produced by Barb Lenihan (Chicago), John Gronkowski (East Beverly), and Mac Gillespie (Beverly).

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Leading the production in a perfect Scottish brogue as Shrek himself is Ben Walker (Blue Island). By his side as his noble steed and comedic sidekick Donkey is Ki-Jana Moore (Chicago Woodlawn). Completing the terrific trio is Alexandra Overland (Oak Lawn) as the daring damsel Princess Fiona. Portraying the princess at younger stages of her life in the hit song “I Know It’s Today” are Callaghan Fagan (New Lenox) and Sarah Pollard (Mokena).

At the helm of the supporting roles Nancy Alvarez (Garfield Ridge) appears as the hungry knight-slaying Dragon and Nikolie Christophy (River East) as the tyrannical and vertically challenged Lord Farquaad. Teaming up to resist Farquaad’s villainous reign are Rheya Lewis as Gingy (Woodridge), Joanna Ziarko as Pinocchio (Garfield Ridge), and Wayne Wendell as both the Big Bad Wolf and Magic Mirror (Beverly).

Our large ensemble of fairy tale creatures letting their “freak flag fly” includes the following: Elena Mora (Oak Lawn) as Young Shrek/Rip Van Winkle, Maggie Fechner (Beverly) as Little Pig 1, Bianca Esbrook (Sauganash) as Little Pig 2, Lauren Bourret (Mt. Greenwood) as Little Pig 3, Ariel Decapua (South Deering) as Blind Mouse 1, Tenley Edvardsen (Schereville, IN) as Blind Mouse 2 and Tapping Rat 2, Amayah Randle (Morgan Park) as Blind Mouse 3, Jen Lenihan (Oak Lawn) as Tapping Rat 1.

Caspian DeBoer (Palos Park) as Tapping Rat 3 and Papa Bear, Leandra Ward (Steger) as Tapping Rat 4 and Mama Orge, Kevin Reutter (Frankfort) as Papa Ogre and Mad Hatter, Danielle O’Malley (Mt. Greenwood) as Mama Bear, Jane McDermott (Morgan park) as Baby Bear, Apollo Davis (West Loop) as Guard Captain/Knight, Morgan Ayres (Palos Heights) as Guard/Knight, Lucus Mora (Oak Lawn) as Guard/Knight, Meg Massaro (Beverly) as Guard/Knight, Michael Ette (Chicago) as King Harold, Addison Crum (Joliet) as Sugar Plum Fairy, Erin Renee Baumrucker (Avondale) as Wicked Witch.

Marwa Ramadan (Beverly) as Queen Lilian, Elyse Fagan (New Lenox) as White Rabbit, Brittany La’Nae Robinson (South Shore) as Bishop, Katie Spohrer (Uptown) as Gnome, Layla Rhyne (Chatham) as Peter Pan, Kallie Givens (Washington Heights) as Fairy Godmother, Lucy Barth (Mt. Greenwood) as Ugly Duckling, Nicole Norris (Mt. Greenwood) as Elf, Jay Haak (Valparaiso, IN) as Dwarf, Lucy Hohenadel (Beverly) as Humpty Dumpty, Elaina Dague (Homewood) as Tinkerbelle, Kiley Tewell (Oak Lawn) as Little Miss Muffet, Stella Haak (Valparaiso, IN) as Little Bo Peep, and Rita Murtagh (South Loop) as Goldilocks.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25, with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday, April 26. Saturday’s matinee performance will include ASL interpretation.

Tickets are $25 for adults (non-member) and $23 for BTG members, active military with ID and seniors; $18 for students.

BTG continues to partner with Chicago Ridge’s Jenny’s Steak and Banquets, 11401 S. Menard Ave. for a delightful dinner and show package for $50. The dinner theater package is available for all performances.

Purchase tickets in advance at the online BTG box office, or at the door (if available) starting an hour before showtime. There is a $2 service fee for tickets purchased online.

The Beverly Theatre Guild is Chicago’s longest running community theater company. BTG shows are performed at the Baer Theater, a 425-seat venue with state-of-the-art sound and lighting, located at 2153 West 111th Street on the Morgan Park Academy campus. For more information, visit Beverly Theatre Guild.