Music Mountain Bringing 'Shrek' To The Stage In Lambertville

LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. — “Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek.” Thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue.

Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and more than a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you have the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand. Based on the DreamWorks animation film and the William Steig book, “Shrek the Musical” has book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori.

Magic Mountain Theater’s production has direction and choreography by Louis Palena and Jordan Brennan, musical direction by Andrew Rudderow, scenic and lighting design by McAfee Madding, costume design by Jordan Brennan, sound design by Nick Bates, and stage management by Liz Gonzalez. The cast includes Ryan Cook (Shrek), Alison McMullen (Fiona), James Legette (Donkey), Cory Steiger (Lord Farquaad), Michael Hall (Pinocchio), Jenna Parrilla Alvino (Dragon), and Amanda Romig (Sugar Plum / Gingy) with Nora Bella Stern-Kushnier (Teen Fiona), Hailey Miller (Young Fiona), and Tristan Monaghan (Young Shrek).

The ensemble includes Alicia Alaimo, Cathy Alaimo, Harrison Alexander, Sally Graham Bethmann, Amelia Corda, Justin Derry, Lauren Donahoe, Kevin Flanagan, Lauren Gregorovic, Alex Grushow, Jason Herbert, Erin Looney Higgins, Nicholas La Russa, Aubrey Malakoff, Sean McReynolds, Neve, Gavin Prikril, Zoe Prikril, Theresa M. Smith, Cassidy Remeniski, Amy Schroeder, Mary Cait Shawa, Sol Siedell, Emma Sneddon, Kira Sneddon, Gianna Stacks, Penelope Stern-Kushnier, Danielle Stilo, Morgan Tarrant, Riley Thim, Bill Weir, and Sam Weiss.

“Shrek the Musical” is a limited engagement of 16 performances only from February 27 to March 22 on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m., including an ASL-interpreted performance on March 8. Tickets are $35 for adults ($33 for students, seniors, and military) and can be purchased at musicmountaintheatre.org, in person at the box office, or by calling 609-397-3337.

In addition to mainstage productions, MMT offers young audience shows throughout the year. The next production is Louis Palena’s “Robin Hood” from March 7 to 21. Performances are Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and tickets are $12.

Music Mountain Theatre is located at 1483 NJ-179 in Lambertville, New Jersey.