Make sure to mark your calendars for the Musical Department’s production of Shrek, coming to Holyoke High from March 31 through April 3!

Directed by Holyoke High music teacher Mr. Todd, Shrek the Musical is based on the popular 2001 DreamWorks Animation film Shrek and William Steig’s 1990 book.

Shrek, the green ogre and title character who is played by Jonathan Dochod ‘16, finds his world turned upside down when a group of fairytale creatures get vanished and relocated to his swamp by the order of Lord Faquaad (Joshua Ortiz ‘17) from the kingdom of Duloc. Shrek, along with his newly made friend Donkey (Darian Gonzalez ’17) set out on a journey to rescue Princess Fiona (Emma Price ’16) and bring her back to Duloc from which Shrek hopes will turn things back to the way they were.

This empowering yet hilarious musical will be brought to life thanks the work of over 100 students and adults who have all been working tirelessly for months to bring it all together. Practicing every night for up to three hours at a time, everyone involved in the musical deserves a lot of credit for the hard work they put in.

With only a few days left, Mr. Todd feels confident that the musical will be something you don’t want to miss. “I want this show to be our best one yet,” Todd tells the cast and crew during a nightly pep talk before rehearsal. “I say that every year but every year I mean it too. It’s all about team work and putting on a great show and I know you guys will do that.”

Along with Mr. Todd’s encouraging words, tech manager Maggie Brady ‘16 feels confident in the musicals eventual turnout also. “It is always a little scary in the last couple weeks with all the last minute touches, but the shows always turn out well and I’m sure this one will too!”

Emma Price ’16, who plays Princess Fiona, the cursed princess who was trapped in a castle until being saved by Shrek, describes her character as very “spunky” and admittedly “somewhat all over the place.” Fiona is definitely a character you can’t miss. Price, who also had a role in last year’s production of The Wizard Of Oz, claims that she “feels honored to have been granted such great roles in the school musicals,” and describes playing Fiona as “an exciting way to end her last year of acting in the Holyoke High productions.” Emma is excited to perform in the musical with all her fellow cast members who she feels work amazingly together as a cohesive team.

Darian Gonzalez ’17 plays Donkey, the lovable and funny side kick of Shrek. Donkey accompanies Shrek on his mission while finding his own needed independence, and acts as the comic relief during the deeper parts of the musical. Gonzalez loves playing Donkey and having the opportunity to “have such a large role to stick his hooves into (pun intended).” Gonzalez admires the hard work the whole cast puts into the musical and feels confident that it will come together perfectly.

Shrek the Musical will be another great production put on by Holyoke High so make sure to grab yourself some tickets, on sale now in both the HHS main office and The Cottage on Northampton Street in Holyoke, and at the door before showtime.

Along with the work of the students and directors, Shrek the Musical couldn’t go on without the help of the following sponsors:

Highland Hardware Staff               HHS Office Staff                                Grynn & Barrett Studios

Holyoke Cultural Council               HHS National Honors Society      Holyoke School Department Staff

HHS Custodial Staff                         The Cottage Staff