MTC Performs Shrek, School House Rock To Close Out Summer

MOORESTOWN, NJ — For the Moorestown Theater Company (MTC), the show has gone on throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and MTC is closing the summer of 2021 out with a flurry of performances. MTC will hold 12 performances in the final nine days of August, including six performances of “Shrek” and six Summer Stage performances of “School House Rock Live!, Jr.”

In total, MTC has put on 16 live shows since the pandemic began last year, and put together one virtual production. No one has gotten sick, and MTC shut down when there were exposures, but the theater company followed the safety protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) throughout the pandemic.

Artistic Director Mark Morgan said maintaining a live performance schedule hasn’t been easy, as MTC has had to hold performances outside and combat weather elements for most of the last year. They never stopped, and he said he appreciates the support he’s received from the community throughout.

“We love to have people’s support and appreciation,” Morgan said. “Anyone who comes to our show will be truly entertained. It’s been difficult, but we’re making it work, and that’s what theater people do.”

“Shrek” has presented a new set of challenges, including having two of his leads get married during the production, which was expected to happen in July. The show went on in August so MTC could perform inside, but it has resulted in new leads for each performance and a jampacked schedule leading into Labor Day. But Morgan said each lead and cast puts on a great show.

“Shrek” is being performed at the First Presbyterian Church, 101 Bridgeboro Road in Moorestown. Morgan is directing. It is the first time MTC has put together an all ages production of the show, although it has performed the junior version several times in the past.

The fairy tale follows the adventures of a lovable ogre, his donkey friend, and his beloved Princess Fiona, and features songs such as “Big Bright Beautiful World,” “Story Of My Life,” “When Words Fail,” “Freak Flag,” and “I’m A Believer.”

The show opened this past Wednesday night, and the rest of the schedule is as follows:

• Aug. 20: 7 p.m.
• Aug. 21: 2 p.m.
• Aug. 27: 7 p.m.
• Aug. 28: 2 p.m.; 7 p.m.
• Aug. 29: 2 p.m.

“School House Rock Live!, Jr.” will close out MTC’s 16th Summer Stage season. Directed by MTC Technical Director Jack Morgan, this musical features such well-known songs as “Just A Bill,” “Conjunction Junction,” “Great American Melting Pot,” “Interplanet Janet,” and “Interjections” from the classic after-school public television show.

This show will be performed outside in the Bayada / MTC Outdoor Theater behind 1 West Main Street in Moorestown. It opens Aug. 24, and will follow the following schedule:

• Aug. 24: 7 p.m.
• Aug. 25: 11 a.m.; 7 p.m.
• Aug. 26: 11 a.m.; 7 p.m.
• Aug. 27: 11 a.m.

Tickets can be bought online at MoorestownTheaterCompany.org, or at the outdoor theater 60 minutes before curtain time. Call MTC at 856-778-8357 with any questions or to get group rates.