Jericho Native Appears Onstage in CT Rep's "Shrek the Musical"

STORRS. Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will stage “Shrek the Musical” to close out the 2016-2017 season. Margarett Perry will direct. Jericho native and graduate of Jericho High School, Rebekah Santiago Berger plays the Wicked Witch. Performances will be held in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre from April 20th through April 30th, 2017. For tickets and information, please visit crt.uconn.edu or call (860) 486-2113.

Rebekah Santiago Berger is a sophomore in the UCONN BFA Acting program. As a student in the department, she receives conservatory style training that prepares young actors for careers in film, television and theatre. Students take classes in voice, movement, acting, and camera work. Berger’s credits include: CRT: “Nuevo California” (Juana), “West Side Story” (Margarita), “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” (Scrubwomen/Ensemble). Previous Cultural Arts Playhouse credits include: “Cabaret” (Sally), “A Chorus Line” (Val), “Legally Blonde” (Paulette), “Spring Awakening” (Anna), “Hair” (Savannah/Ensemble), “Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Lead Dancer).

Berger says, “It has been extremely meaningful working with the talented cast and crew of ‘Shrek the Musical’. Margaret has broken down what is a very well-known show, and built it back up to be something that is not only new and exciting, but also a very socially relevant and thought evoking story. She has created a fun and energetic space in which people can play freely, explore, and really have fun with the work they are doing. There are no boundaries, and it is really refreshing to work in such a creative environment.

Based on the award-winning DreamWorks animated film, “Shrek the Musical” is this season’s must-see musical for the entire family! Join our unlikely Ogre hero and his loyal steed, a wise cracking Donkey, as they embark on a quest to rescue the beautiful – if slightly temperamental – Princess Fiona from a fire breathing, love-sick dragon. Add the diminutive Lord Farquaad, a gang of homeless fairytale misfits, and a biscuit with attitude, and you’ve got the biggest, brightest all-singing, all-dancing musical extravaganza around! “Shrek the Musical” received eight 2009 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical. “Shrek” is a joyous monster hit!

Director Margarett Perry says, “This is a story that is about when we don’t feel accepted and we want more – but we don’t think we’re good enough, smart enough, pretty enough. This story gives us hope to come out of our shell and find our truth and beauty as a person. It is so funny and so endearing.”

Perry added, “The challenge in bringing ‘Shrek’ to the stage is to honor the original material – the book and the animated feature that we know and love. We have to create fairytale creatures that are not cartoons – but real people. Our team has done an incredible job creating these vivid fairytale characters, but they have a contemporary spin. They are just a little more relatable as we recognize a piece of ourselves in them. It has also been an incredible experience to create some of these characters with the collaboration of UCONN’s Puppet Arts department.”

Will Mann leads the cast as Shrek. His Broadway/New York credits include: “Memphis” (Bobby), “Honeymooners” (pre-broadway) (Ensemble). National Tours: “Memphis” (Bobby), “Billy Elliot” (Mr. Braithwaite), “Joseph” (Judah) (dir/chor. Andy Blankenbuhler), “Elf” (Chadwick/Santa u/s) (Madison Square Garden), “Wonderful Town” (Valenti). Regional: “Ragtime” (Coalhouse), “Bella” (Mr. Dinwiddie) (world premiere), “Ever After” (Ensemble) (world premiere, dir. Kathleen Marshall). Movies/TV: “Ricki And The Flash”, “65th Annual Tony Awards”.

Desi Oakley stars as Fiona. Her Broadway credits include: “Wicked”, “Annie” (Original Revival Cast), and “Les Misérables”. National Tour: “Evita” (Eva Perón Alternate), “Wicked”. Regional: “Girlstar” (Tina), Signature Theatre; “The Little Mermaid” (Ariel), MTWichita. TV: “Gotham”, FOX. Original album: “Don’t Look Back” available on iTunes. BFA, University Of Michigan.

Mark Boyett plays Lord Farquaad. He has performed Off-Broadway in “Martin Luther On Trial” (Pearl Theater); “A Play On Words”, “Clean Alternatives” (59E59); “Old Wicked Songs” (Daryl Roth, Producer). Regional credits include: “Appomattox” (The Guthrie); “Dracula” (Pioneer Theater); “Arms and the Man”, “The Mystery of Irma Vep”, “The Turn of the Screw” (Triad State); “Love Song” (Cincinnati Playhouse); “Henry IV Parts 1 & 2” (American Repertory Theater); “Chesapeake” (Kitchen Theater); “The Cherry Orchard” (Pittsburgh Public); “A Dybbuk” (Denver Center); “Inexpressible Island” (Dallas Theater Center); “Wit” (Syracuse Stage); “The Retreat from Moscow” (The Human Race Theater); “Sister Carrie” (Indiana Rep). TV: “Royal Pains”; “Law & Order SVU”; “Pan Am”; MTV’s “One Bad Choice”.

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

The design team includes: Margaret Perry (Director), Katie Johannigman (Choreographer), John Pike (Music Director), Morgan Raddatz (Scenic Design), Andrew Berardi (Lighting Design), Heather Lesieur (Costume Design), Justin Graziani (Sound Design), and Tom Kosis (Stage Manager).

The cast includes MFA Actors: Michael Bobenhausen, Arlene Bozich, Sam Kebede, Curtis Longfellow, Meredith Saran, Bryce Wood. MFA Puppet Arts: Matthew Sorensen. BFA Actors: Valarie Badjan, Aaron Bantum, Rebekah Berger, Braley Degenhardt, Tabatha Gayle, Nick Greika, Derrick Holmes, Perry Madison, Pearl Matteson, Gavin McNicholl, Nick Nudler, Gillian Pardi, Carly Polistina, Scott Redmond, Ryan Rudewicz, Andrew Smith.

PERFORMANCE AND TICKET INFORMATION

Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Select matinee performances start at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Single tickets are available now. Single tickets range from $7 to $36. All student tickets are only $7.

Children must be at least 4 years old to attend CRT productions. For additional ticket information or to charge tickets by phone, call 860.486.2113. All sales are final; no refunds. Play selections and performance dates are subject to change.

Please call the box office at 860.486.2113 for tickets and additional information or visit www.crt.uconn.edu for specific show dates and times because performance schedules vary and are subject to change.

The Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre is located on the campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT.