Nicholas Hambruch as Shrek (Credit cyorkphoto)
The University of Central Arkansas Public Appearances presents the all-new version of “Shrek the Musical” at Reynolds Performance Hall on Monday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. Audiences can expect a “Shrek” that feels both familiar and refreshingly new, inviting everyone to “fall in love all ogre again.”
“Kimberly Akimbo” Tony Award-winning duo Jeanine Tesori (music) and David Lindsay-Abaire (book) revisit their first collaboration to deliver a more intimate and engaging experience – a joyful, colorful “Shrek” that leans into the humanity in all of us that celebrates our differences. With all-new original direction and choreography by Danny Mefford (Choreographer, “Dear Evan Hansen”), this reimagined production of “Shrek the Musical” brings the show back to its roots – giving it a new kind of love emphasizing the importance of loving ourselves and one another.
Based on the hit DreamWorks animated film and the book by William Steig, “Shrek the Musical” is a hilarious fairy tale adventure with a cast of vibrant characters and a ‘shrek-tacular’ score that’s perfect for the young and the young-at-heart! Our unlikely hero finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and the feisty Princess Fiona who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairy-tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand…and his name is Shrek. It’s not easy being green, but this irreverently fun musical proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre!
The original “Shrek the Musical” opened on Broadway on Dec. 14, 2008, running for 441 performances and 37 previews. The musical received eight Tony Award nominations, winning one.
UCA Public Appearances Executive Director Amanda Horton said, “This Tony Award-winning musical is the perfect way to kick off our season and welcome our students and community back to the theatre. This beloved story emphasizes compassion and acceptance through its eccentric characters, witty script and endearing songs.”
UCA Public Appearances is celebrating 25 years in Reyolds Performance Hall. Highly acclaimed artists such as Ray Charles, Wayne Newton, Common, Amy Grant, Dione Warwick, Ricky Skaggs and more have performed in the 1,200-seat theatre.
UCA Public Appearances has continued to grow each year and now has five unique series that are offered: Broadway, POPS, Night Out, Speaker, and the Windgate Collection. Reynolds Performance Hall has also welcomed over 65,000 PreK-12th grade students from across the state of Arkansas to experience live performing arts through the Main Stage Education Series. This series educates while entertaining and provides arts accessibility to all students.
Tickets range from $30-$50 for adults and $10 for children/students. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Reynolds box office or Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts box office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., online at uca.edu/publicappearances or by calling UCA Ticket Central at (501) 450-3265 or toll-free at (866) 810-0012.
