Bringing together over 200 students at Belmont Ridge Middle School, the fun and entertaining musical “Shrek” is set to open March 28 and will run for two weekends.
With a cast of both experienced performers, and some who are learning for the first time, director Jason Augustowski said “these extraordinary kids have pulled together the biggest and best broadway level show Belmont has ever seen.”
The musical tells the story of Shrek, who is learning to accept the way he looks because he is different from others.
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“We have students like that every day in school,” said Sharon Lanham, assistant director for Shrek and science teacher at Belmont Ridge. “What better way to help them learn to accept each other than to act it,” she added.
“For me the best part of the play is watching the kids grow in the arts and develop friendships that they never would have experienced if it had not been for our musicals,” Lanham added.
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Augustowski received praise from his colleagues and the performers, “He makes the practices and the play something the kids will remember forever. We have had kids that have never been on stage and now their entire thoughts and love for acting and performing have changed their lives. His enthusiasm is contagious and his love for shows has affected so many students in so many ways,” Lanham said.
The show is co-produced by Janice Palumbo and Kristie McDonald. "The kids love Mr. A and respect him, so they respond in kind, which makes it easier for us to do our job. The parents are all very responsive to all of our needs, so that makes it much easier, too. I just love working with the kids. There is so much talent in this school," said Palumbo.
Gavin Stone, who is performing for the first time as Papa Bear, expressed how meaningful the experience has been for him. “I will definitely do this again. We have not even performed yet, yet I can tell this is the best experience of my life,” Stone said.
Jeyhan Turker, who plays Shrek in the White Cast, said he prepared for the role by watching the movie and practicing Shrek’s accent. He added that his favorite song is “Who I be” as it is “very dramatic and cool.”
Turker has performed in about eight musicals over the years and said “Shrek is probably my favorite so far. The songs are really fun and I was a big fan of the movies.”
Josh Wisdom, who plays Shrek in the Red Cast agreed. “Every song is incredible and learning them was a matter of liking them in the first place,” Wisdom said.
“This is my favorite role so far. The most fun part is walking around with the fake legs,” said Evan Gardner, who plays Farquaad and has been in several of Augustowski’s productions.
Amanda Hampton and Sarah Katherine Lawless each play the role of Fiona in the two casts, both said they are excited for the show.
“The transformation to an ogre is one of the biggest challenges,” said Hampton. “We use a prosthetic and green makeup and padding, it is quite a big change,” she added.
Check out “Shrek the Musical” March 28-30 with two matinees and two evening performances and April 3 – 5. Visit http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/bmrms for more information. 19045 Upper Belmont Place, Lansdowne.
