“Shrek: The Musical'' to Hit the GISH Stage this Fall
GRAND ISLAND, (NEB) — Ogres, princesses, a talking donkey, a flying dragon, and fantastical characters are bound for the Grand Island Senior High (GISH) this Fall!
“Shrek: The Musical” will take the stage at the GISH Center for Performing Arts for the school’s annual Fall musical. A funny celebration of fairytale tropes, sparkly costumes, and hilarious hijinx — “Shrek: The Musical” is sure to be an enjoyable spectacle of singing, dancing, and onion-metaphors fit for the whole family.
The musical based on the infamous Dreamworks film will run Thursday, October 30th and Saturday, November 1st at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 2nd for a 2:00 p.m. matinee with all performances on stage at the auditorium of Grand Island Senior High. Tickets will go on sale in mid-September and may be purchased online at www.gips.org/gishtheatre.
Stepping into a famous role the 21st Century’s most famous Ogre is the opportunity of a lifetime for one GISH performer.
“I’m excited to be a part of this cast!” Prestin Meier, GISH Senior, said. “Everyone is so energetic and I feel everyone is very fitting to their role. I believe this is considered a "perfect cast". I hope I can fill the shoes of Shrek like everyone's hoping for!”
The cast and crew showcases nearly 100 Grand Island Senior High students both on the stage and behind the curtain. And for the third consecutive year, the GISH performers will be supported by a group of special guests.
Rounding out the company will be approximately 40 additional Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) students. A group of 4th through 8th Graders from GIPS comprise “Young Ensemble” players to fill the stage in large group numbers.
Excited for the show, another GISH performer looks forward to bringing laughter and fairytale fun to the stage.
"I am so excited to step into Fiona's role!” Katie Lofing, GISH Senior, shared, “She doesn't act like a "normal" princess. This story shows the humor, drive, and complexity in her character. I am so excited to embrace every part!"
“Shrek: The Musical” will feature the talents of over 140 students overall from Grand Island Senior High and GIPS. From show-stopping musical numbers like, “Big Bright Beautiful World” and, “This Is Our Story”, with the iconic characters of Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and more — the annual GISH Fall musical promises to be a fun, can’t miss production for the whole Grand Island Community.
“‘Shrek: The Musical’ is a celebration of individuality, courage, and a twist on the classic fairytale prince/princess rescue.” Kathrine Welk, GISH Musical Director, said. “This show is laugh out loud funny, but it also carries a beautiful message about belonging and love in the most unexpected places. I’m excited to see our cast and crew bring this show to life and share ‘what makes us special!’”
The cast and crew for “Shrek: The Musical” has been announced:
CAST
Shrek - Prestin Meier
Fiona - Katie Lofing
Donkey - Ulises Acosta
Lord Farquaad - Cael Wiegert
Dragon - Tessa Bockoven
Pinocchio - Katelyn Sodomka
Gingy - Coen Thorpe
Papa Ogre - Kainen Mora
Mama Ogre - Alijhandra Kirschbaum
Young Shrek - Ethan Purvis
King Harold - Abraham Cardoza
Queen Lillian - Daniela Cortes
Teen Fiona - Kennedy Miller
Young Fiona - Ariela Meier-Juarez, Jaylene Osuna Mazqueda, Olivia Dooley
Thelonius - Holdan Wemhoff
Duloc Greeter/Walter - Brigham Loeffer
Guards - Alexander Frometa, Joseph Ronnfeldt, Marck Ramirez, Nolan Kier, Rylan Kier, Sebastian Perez Madrid
Knights - Brigham Loeffler, Ethan Wichman, Gage Devall, Tristan Osborn
Sugar Plum Fairy - Bella Roe
Humpty Dumpty - Briana Arrieta
Wicked Witch - Cadence Gidcumb
Elf - Dayami Osuna
3 Pigs - Alijhandra Kirschbaum, Layne Meier, Lydia Hayden
Papa Bear - Skyler Vollmer
Mama Bear - Miley Edwards
Baby Bear - Anaaliyah Mendez
White Rabbit - Kainen Mora
Fairy Godmother - Malia McNeil
Peter Pan - Hana Butters
Ugly Duckling - Nona Kirschbaum
3 Blind Mice - Alisea Sweet, Lizzie Stoppkotte, Reagan Kort
Mad Hatter - Gage Devall
Wolf - Jaxstin Deines
Pied Piper - Lauren Brosz
Dwarf - Ethan Wichman
FAIRYTALE CHARACTER ENSEMBLE: Ablam Zotoglo, Abraham Cardoza, Adrian Loffredo, Angela Garcia, Alexander Frometa, Alianna Wemhoff, Alyssha Abrajan, Breanna Lind, Brigham Loeffler, Brooke Miller, Carlie Kuta, Daisy Robertson, Daniela Cortes, Deacon McPhearson, Elijah Meier-Juarez, Emery Clark, Ethan Purvis, Ethan Wichman, Evangeli Meier, Gabby Nunez, Gabi Avila, Gracyn Tennant, Holdan Wemhoff, Isabella Hespe, Isabelle Cole-Weber, Jace Bergmeier, Jaylynn Mercer, Jesse Gilmore, Joanna Heston, Joseph Ronnfeldt, Josylnn Battershaw, Kailey Callejas, Katie Rodriguez, Keelie Anderson, Kylie Helmuth, Kyra Braden, Lorelia Smith, Lucia Coj Gonzalez, Lucy Lopez, Madison Marten, Madison Wieczorek, Makayla Lyon, Marck Ramirez, Nolan Kier, Penelope Meyer, Raquel Lopez Perez, Rhiana Perez-Orozco, Riley Seybold, Rilynn Havenridge, Rylan Kier, Sebastian Perez Madrid, Sofie Betancourt, Sophia Mora, Tallie Havenridge, Taylor Sandoval, Tianna Aguilar, Tristan Osborn, William Woods, Willow Eckert
DULOC ENSEMBLE: Ablam Zotoglo, Abraham Cardoza, Alianna Wemhoff, Alijhandra Kirschbaum, Alisea Sweet, Alyssha Abrajan, Anaaliyah Mendez, Bella Roe, Briana Arrieta, Brigham Loeffler, Cadence Gidcumb, Carlie Kuta, Daniela Cortes, Dayami Osuna, Deacon McPhearson, Ethan Wichman, Gabi Avila, Gracyn Tennant, Hana Butters, Jaxstin Deines, Kainen Mora, Lauren Brosz, Layne Meier, Lizzie Stoppkotte, Lucy Lopez, Lydia Hayden, Madison Marten, Makayla Lyon, Malia McNeil, Malia McNeil, Miley Edwards, Raquel Lopez Perez, Reagan Kort, Skyler Vollmer, Sofie Betancourt, Tristan Osborn, Willow Eckert
SKELETONS: Alisea Sweet, Anaaliyah Mendez, Bella Roe, Briana Arrieta, Cadence Gidcumb, Dayami Osuna, Lauren Brosz, Layne Meier, Lizzie Stoppkotte, Lydia Hayden, Makayla Lyon, Reagan Kort
RAT TRAPPERS: Alisea Sweet, Bella Roe, Cadence Gidcumb, Layne Meier, Lizzie Stoppkotte, Lydia Hayden, Malia McNeil, Makayla Lyon, Reagan Kort
YOUNG ENSEMBLE: Abigail Lucas, Ada White, Adelynn Beam, Amelia Robinson, Ana Rosas, Andrew Wegehaupt, Ariela Meier-Juarez, Asher White, Aubrie Roe, Avery Dudo, Avery Antillon, Brianna Hohlen, Camden Hicken, Cameron Davis, Elianna Dooley, Ellie Northup, Estafania Velasquez, Galilea Alvarado, Gracyn Koch, Harper Spiehs, Harper Tennant, Hope Karr, Jaylene Osuna Mazqueda, Jeremy Smith, Jordyn Karr, Lillie Berg, Lucy Schlegel, Meredith Jensen, Mya Bernal, Natacha Iglesias, Olivia Dooley, Paelyn Wheeler, Paige Martin, Payton Havenridge, Rafael Hernandez Mosqueda, Sophia Roush, Vivian Igo, Yosalmy Estrada Garcia, Zaylee Walkemeyer, Zephrina Plympton, Zoey Walford
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR: Katherine Welk
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Jesse LaBrie
STAGE MANAGERS: Abigail Bloom and Samara Hannel
Performances of “Shrek: The Musical” presented by Grand Island Senior High will be October 30th and November 1st at 7:00 p.m. and November 2nd at 2:00 p.m. at the GISH Auditorium.
Tickets for the musical go on sale mid-September and may be purchased online at: www.gips.org/gishtheatre.