Shrek the Musical Comes to Plymouth

PLYMOUTH, Mich. – A fractured fairy tale of a grumpy ogre, a talking donkey, a sassy princess, a smitten dragon and defiant story book characters will come to life in downtown Plymouth June 28 through July 1, as Forever After Productions presents the youth theater version of “Shrek”.

Nearly 60 talented children and teens from Plymouth, Canton and surrounding communities make up the cast of the lighthearted musical that celebrates individual differences – and also includes ogre-appropriate fart jokes.

For six performances, their production of “Shrek Jr.” will transform the stage of the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Center (PARC) Playhouse into a fairytale land, with the help of parent volunteers.

The musical builds on the 1990 book and 2001 animated movie, adding songs and fleshing out the back-stories of the ogre Shrek and the princess Fiona. It made its Broadway debut in 2008 and received eight Tony nominations before touring the U.S. and playing in London’s West End.

The show runs just over 70 minutes with one intermission, making it ideal for younger performers and audiences. Ticket prices are family-friendly, too, at just $10 for each general admission seat. They’re on sale now via www.iheartforeverafter.org or by calling Forever After Productions at (734) 547-5156.

The young cast includes dozens of elementary, middle and high school students who have rehearsed since March for the performances.

“No matter how hard Lord Farquaad tries to drain their swamp and make them all conform, these performers fight back through humor, song and dance,” says Sarah Chapman of Canton, the show’s director. “We hope families can have a fun outing seeing the show together, while also absorbing the show’s message about accepting others as they are.”

"For those who already love the movie, the story takes on an added dimension through Jeanine Tesori’s songs and David Lindsay-Abaire’s clever lyrics," says Mary Anne Martin, Music Director. “And for those who have seen the musical, the youth theater version includes shorter versions of all your favorite numbers."

The show has evening performances at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, Friday, June 29 and Saturday, June 30, and matinees at 2 p.m. on June 30, and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on July 1. All shows are at PARC, at 650 Church St. in downtown Plymouth, with free parking available behind the building off Adams St.

For more about Forever After Productions, visit www.iheartforeverafter.org, email foreveraftermail@gmail.com or follow on Instagram at @foreverafter_productions or Facebook at www.facebook.com/ForeverAfter/ .