The Latest From The Suwanee Art World
Suwanee Performing Arts to bring ‘Shrek The Musical’ to
Broadway in the Park uwanee Performing Arts is preparing to once again bring the freshest Broadway musical production to the community. This year’s annual Broadway in the Park (BiP) feature will be DreamWorks’ “Shrek the Musical,” only becoming available for amateur productions in June 2013. SPA will also be producing “Shooby Doo,” an original one-act parody of an iconic crime solving group of teens and their dog. This familyfriendly, free event is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. July 26 and July 27 - rain or shine - at Town Center Park. In keeping with SPA’s mission of bringing opportunities to local artists to practice their craft, SPA is excited to showcase the creative output of very talented college students, in addition to featuring the amazing performers found in local middle and high schools. This year, exceptional college interns will be taking the lead in set design, costume design, makeup and stage direction. And SPA is fielding its largest Broadway in the Park cast to date - more than 70 singers, dancers, and actors will take the audience to faraway lands full of mystery and adventure. “Shrek the Musical,” based on the Oscar® winning DreamWorks film, sees the return of Justin Hermosilla, who portrayed Prince Eric last summer in BiP’s presentation of the Little Mermaid Jr. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre (Hermosilla) — not a handsome prince — shows up to rescue a feisty princess (Caroline Reynolds). Throw in a donkey who won't shut up (Trey McKeithen), a bad guy with a “short” temper (Brian Wittenberg), a cookie with an attitude and more than a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand...and his name is Shrek. Full of allnew songs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, Shrek the Musical” is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and all irreverent fun for everyone! “Shooby Doo,” written and produced by SPA Founders Berneta Bock Davis and Patricia Etherton, will captivate the audience with humorous spoofs,
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daring adventure and lots of singing, dancing, and laughter. “When we heard that “Shrek the Musical” was going to be released for amateur production, I was reminded of how much I loved the movie,” Etherton said. “The humor is unparalleled from the short-statured Lord Farquaad to the chatty dramatic donkey to the sarcastic big-hearted ogre… there is humor for all ages, on top of an overall terrific story. We are tickled to be able to be the first amateur production of this musical in Georgia. Folks should come prepared to have a really good time!” Admission is free but plan to make it a family day at the park. Arrive early to claim seats on the lawn and dine at local restaurants. This year, in addition to the traditional reserved table seating for corporate and patron sponsors, there will be a space reserved near the front of the stage designed for families with small children in mind. Audience members can purchase wrist bands for this up-front, blankets-only (no coolers or chairs) space on a first-come, first-served basis at $10 per person beginning at 4:00 p.m. on the day of the show. For more information visit the organization’s website at www.suwanee performingarts.org. ■
NGAA awards NGHS Student Art Scholarship On May 23, the North Gwinnett Arts Association presented the first Rosemary Benavides Williams Student Art Scholarship of $1500 to Skyler Kratofil. Skyler recently graduated from North Gwinnett High School and will be attending Savannah College of Art & Design. The award was presented to Skyler by Mayor Jimmy Burnette and President of the NGAA Vickie Johnson. ■