WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014
LIFE
COMMUNITY PRESS
PEOPLE | IDEAS | RECIPES
Cast members rehearse one of the numbers for "Shrek - The Musical" being performed by the Seton Elder Performaing Arts Series. THANKS TO TAYLOR HIRTH
Seton Elder Performing Arts Series presents
‘SHREK THE MUSICAL’
G
et ready for some ogresized family fun! This isn’t your average fairy tale, but that’s OK, because this isn’t your average cast. The Seton Elder Performing Arts Series present for the first time, “Shrek the Musical.” While the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film may have started all of the hype, “Shrek the Musical” brings everyone’s favorite oversized ogre, donkey, dragon, princess-turned-ogre, and more than 50 townspeople and fairy tale misfits to life on stage. This talented cast includes 65 actors and actresses and 10 stage crew members. This is the first time that this has been performed by the Seton Elder Performing Arts Series. It was decided last year that “Shrek the Musical” was going to be this year’s performance. Seton Music Director Maribeth Samoya had seen Shrek the Musical twice at the Aronoff when it was in town, and knew that as soon as the rights were released it would be a must. “I loved it and talked it up so much,” Samoya said. “We listened to the recording and read the script and everyone was on board.” In addition to Samoya, the codirectors also include Elder Choral Director Dave Allen and Elder assistant Choral Director Jordan Shad. “This show will definitely be enjoyed by all ages,” Seton Music Department assistant Mary Sunderhaus said. “Children will love all the characters, but the adults will understand all the humor. The acting, singing and dancing is really wonderful.” “We are also having two character lunches for the little ones – Snacks with Shrek – that will take place before the Saturday and Sunday matinée shows,” Sunderhaus said. “Memorabilia, lunch, drinks and desserts with the characters from the show will make this a special event children will love to be a part of. Tickets are sold separately from the musical.”
First and Finest
Since this is the first time “Shrek the Musical” has been performed by the Seton Elder Performing Arts Series, the cast
March 2014: Seton and Elder students rehearse for "Shrek - The Musical." THANKS TO TAYLOR HIRTH
has been committed to making it spectacular. “We all want this show to reach its absolute potential and then some,” said Feldman Seton senior Olivia Wall, who is playing the part of Momma Bear. “This cast has put everything they have into it from the beginning. Performing ‘Shrek’ for the first time is a little daunting because there is nothing to base it off of other than the Broadway show,” she added. “But our directors have done an excellent job and I’m so exQuitter cited for audiences to see our debut.” Having to cancel some rehearsals due the harsh winter weather may have been a slight obstacle, but the actors each had their own personal challenges they’ve had to work on so that they could perform at their best. For sophomore Anthony Ciarla, who plays Shrek, his personal challenge has been with the music and singing. “I sing as a baritone and Shrek is a tenor, so I have had to keep attempting to hit the really high notes,” Ciarla said. “I’ve
worked with a vocal coach that has been helping me to train my voice since the very beginning. All of the directors constantly push me to just go for Hirth those notes as well, and that has helped me tremendously.” Elder senior Jay Quitter said that playing Donkey, a character who was so funny in the movie, is challenging because he wants to deliver the comedy that the audience will expect but also make the character his own. Wall “Having Mr. Allen, Ms. Samoya and Ms. Shad as mentors has been a complete privilege for me as an actor and as a student.” Elder junior Nicholas Gibbs plays the part of Peter Pan and is in the Fairytale Chorus. He is looking forward to the audiences reactions. “It’s an entertaining story that any child would love to watch on stage, and there are many jokes in this play that the adults in the audience will get some great laughs at,” Gibbs said. Another thing that is sure to
catch the audience’s attention is Lord Farquaad, played by Elder senior Sean Feldman. “Since the character’s short height is essential to the plot Kaimann I’ve had to learn how to perform the whole show while on my knees. All of my movements have been well thought out because if I’m not careful the illusion will be ruined,” Feldman said. “The character is absolutely hysterical! I still catch myself chuckling at my own lines and lyrics.” There is talent and passion in all Watkins areas that go into making this production a success, said Seton junior Cierra Watkins, who plays the part of Dragon. “It’s something new and we’ve definitely made the absolute best of it,” she said. “We have had awesome support and have an amazing orchestra, choreographers, directors and stage crew.”
History
It’s been 45 years since a group of teachers from Seton and Elder came together to form the Eight ‘Clock Series,
now known as the Seton Elder Performing Arts Series. The brainchild of Allen, this unique partnership offers the student performers much more than just a theatrical experience. These young actors and actresses, who affectionately nicknamed themselves “Selder” – a blend of Seton and Elder – have gained immeasurable acting skills as well as built lifelong friendships. “Because only Seton and Elder students are involved in these performances, there is a sense of family when joining the cast,” said Seton senior Taylor Hirth, who plays the part of a Duloc Greeter in the musical. Quitter has seen many benefits of this partnership. “We are two separate schools, but when it comes to these performances, we are one cast,” he said. “I think that says a lot about our unique program. It is where I have met most of my friends and it has played a huge role in how I’ve grown in my high school career.” Seton junior Kalie Kaimann, who plays the part of Fiona, is enjoying being a part of the Performing Arts Series for the second year. “I love my ‘Selder’ family. I think the partnership and team work that we share is amazing,” Kaimann said. “We put our many strong talents together and make magic on stage.” “The show is going to be an instant classic,” Gibbs said. “Make sure you get your tickets for this unforgettable musical!” “Shrek the Musical” performances are: Wednesday, April 9, 7 p.m. (tickets are $8 and general admission seating.), Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, 7 p.m.; Saturday matinee, April 12, 2 p.m., and Sunday matinee, April 13, 3 p.m. (tickets for Thursday-Sunday are $10 and seats are reserved.) Snacks with Shrek luncheons will take place on Saturday, April 12, at 11:30 a.m., and Sunday, April 13, at noon. Tickets are $10 for kids (ages 2-12) and $12 for adults. Information and tickets for the musical and the luncheons can be purchased online at www.setoncincinnati.org or by contacting Mary Sunderhaus at 513-471-2600 ext. 132.