Kansas City’s Coterie Theatre to premiere new version of SHREK the Musical!

Oct. 29, 2012 - PRLog -- Previews: October 30 - November 1 Opens: November 2 Closes: December 30

Press Night: Saturday, November 3, 2:00 p.m.

High resolution promotional photos and B-Roll are available upon request.

Kansas City, Mo.– Kansas City area audiences will be the first to see the theatre for young audiences and families version of SHREK the Musical, when the show makes its world premiere at The Coterie on October 30, 2012. SHREK the Musical is based on the popular DreamWorks film and book by William Steig.

SHREK the Musical is a fairytale about an unsociable ogre who embarks on a life-changing journey and discovers the unexpected—that others can accept him just as he is. With book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and score by Jeanine Tesori, SHREK the Musical tells the tale of an unlikely hero finding a bond with a wisecracking Donkey and a romance with a Princess who hides her true self from the world.

The musical is a product of The Coterie’s Lab for New Family Musicals, which works with Broadway authors and composers to transform SHREK the Musical and other Broadway favorites to a scale and running time suitable for family theatres. The show will feature a dynamic local cast and can be seen in a series of matinees and evening shows throughout the holiday season.

The Coterie Lab for New Family Musicals was created in 2004 by Producing Artistic Director Jeff Church to help accomplished Broadway composers find their way into the field of theatre for young audiences. The Coterie assists in the creation of musicals for family audiences by reviewing the script and assisting in its adaptation, working hand in hand with the Broadway writers and composers during rehearsals and previews, and providing a company highly responsive to changes and developments. Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire and Drama Desk-winning composer Jeanine Tesori have worked closely with Church and The Coterie’s resident music director, Anthony Edwards, to adapt the show. Lindsay-Abaire and Tesori will visit Kansas City to review the show several times during its development.

The cast of SHREK the Musical is composed of local, professional actors as well as students from area high schools and middle schools selected to be professional acting apprentices. Dana Joel Nicholson will play the role of Shrek, Lauren Braton will play Princess Fiona and Tosin Morohunfola will play the role of Donkey. Other members of the cast include: Tim Scott (as Lord Farquaad), Tyler Eisenreich, Enjoli Gavin and Erica Rush. The middle and high school students in the show include: Allison Banks (Bernard Campbell Middle School), Mosha Clyma (Raytown High School), Nehemiah Deason (Fort Osage High School), Andrea Fantauzzi (Lee’s Summit West High School), Marcus Garlington (Lincoln College Preparatory Academy), Marshall Hopkins (Leavenworth High School), Natalee Merola (The Pembroke Hill School), Hayley Nelson (Olathe Northwest High School), Reagan Ogle (Kearney High School), Megan Secrest (Chisholm Trail Middle School), Andrea Strickler (Olathe South High School), and Rasson Wofford (Lincoln College Preparatory Academy). The choreographer will be Marc Wayne.

The show runs October 30 - December 30, 2012 at The Coterie, located on level one of Kansas City’s Crown Center Shops. To view show times and dates and purchase tickets, please visit www.coterietheatre.org. This show is appreciated by ages 7 through adult.