PRESS RELEASE
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
OCTOBER 15, 2012
CONTACT: Jerry Biebesheimer, (501) 450-3682; jerryb@uca.edu
SHREK THE MUSICAL SOLD OUT AT UCA
By Carissa Gan
College of Fine Arts and Communication Media Office
CONWAY — Shrek the Musical will come to a sold-out Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus Monday, Nov. 5.
The two-hour performance will begin at 7.30 p.m.
Based on the 2001 Oscar-winning DreamWorks film Shrek and the 1990 book by William Steig, Shrek the Musical is guaranteed to entertain audience from all age groups with catchy music and stimulating performances.
“It’s a very bright and fun musical that follows in the footsteps of the original DreamWorks movie,” Ashley Love, director of finance and marketing for UCA’s Public Appearances, said.
Shrek is sold out; however, some tickets may become available at 6:30 p.m. on the day of the performance. If available, tickets will be $10 for students and $23 to $40 for the public.
Jerry Biebesheimer, director UCA Public Appearances, said the performance might include a few musical tweaks.
“Although there might be some slight changes, this musical is likely to be very close to the animated version,” he said. “It’s hard to make a dragon pick people onstage.”
Under the supervision of tour director Stephen Sposito, this twisted fairy tale was originally directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford. Moore directed the Broadway version of this musical, along with other Broadway musicals like Avenue Q and Steel Magnolias.
Shrek the Musical features a charming, talented cast: Perry Sook as Shrek, Whitney Winfield as Princess Fiona, Jeremy Gaston as Donkey and Christian Marriner as Lord Farquaad.
The musical is well-known for its gargantuan sets and flamboyant costumes, thanks to the hard work of award-winning set designer Tim Hatley.
“Lord Farquaad’s costume is uniquely designed because he has to walk on his knees the entire time, given how short the original character in the movie is,” Love said.
The music, composed by Jeanine Tesori, was revised several times to include 19 new songs but still features the crowd favorite “I’m a Believer.” Tesori also composed music for Nights in Rodanthe and several Disney movies.
WWOR-TV praised the musical for being, “Far, far and away the funniest new musical on Broadway!”
Love said the audience could expect a good time.
“It’s going to be fun,” she said. “It’s refreshing and appeals to every generation.”
The show is produced by NETworks, a theatrical production company that created major musicals like Les Misarables and Elf the Musical.
For further information, contact Biebesheimer at (501) 450-3682 or jerryb@uca.edu.
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