ESHS students present ‘Shrek the Musical, JR’

Don’t miss your opportunity to let your freak flag fly along with Shrek, Donkey, Fiona and lots of zany fairytale creatures! The fun and mayhem of Shrek the Musical, JR will be staged by the Eureka Springs High School Theatre department, with Donesa Mann directing.

Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 8, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at the Eureka Springs High School  auditorium at 2 Lake Lucerne Road. Adult tickets are $10 and students only pay $2. Tickets can be purchased at the door and at http://OSP.osmsinc.com/p/PD802-304

This musical comedy tells the story of a grumpy ogre on a journey to rescue Princess Fiona so he can reclaim his swamp from Lord Farquaad, played by Atticus Shock. James Cooley plays Shrek, who, along the way, meets a lovable donkey (Harley Cooper and Elizabeth Young) and learns important lessons about acceptance and friendship. Fiona (Aubrey Huntley) learns much about loving herself and others as Shrek, Donkey and their newfound friends show what real acceptance and friendship look like. Don’t miss this heartwarming, family-friendly performance brought to life by the talented ESHS drama students, both onstage and behind the scenes!

Amadeus Cummings heads the tech team with their creative talents seen and heard in this one-of-a-kind community performance. The land of Duloc and the swamp nearby provide ample opportunities for the expert costuming and properties produced by Jennifer Hatch, who has volunteered countless hours to construct unique costumes, as well as using her musical skills in vocal coaching.

“Jenni is an absolute Godsend to me and our students,” Mann said. “Whatever we need, she is very capable and gifted to supply. This is turning out to be extremely challenging with 26 students changing in and out of 62 costumes. Several costume changes are tight. Ella Maloney changed from Baby Shrek, to Baby Bear, to Duloc dancer, then to knight in the first act! And she has two more changes in the second act. Just like several other students, she has a few different wigs to complicate the changes! Misty Anderson is styling wigs and helping with makeup as she has faith in countless ESHS productions. I’d like to especially thank our sponsor, Bank of 1889 for helping us bring this fun, family-friendly show to Eureka this Mother’s Day weekend!”