Mounting a musical around a giant green ogre has taken a small army to work out the details.
Since last September, there have been seamstresses stitching up costumes for the cast, stagecraft crews building and painting the sets and parents and staff recruited to lend a hand.
Still, the Musical Theatre 11/12 students at Gleneagle secondary have already seen the pay off even before Shrek opens next week.
The three matinees for the Coquitlam high school's most elaborate production to date are now sold out, with more than 300 youth from feeder schools signed up to see the loveable ogre, his bride and their crazy animal friends.
"We've never had this kind of response before," drama teacher and director Ashley Freeborn said.
And with the show resonating in School District 43, the talent in front of and behind the curtain is ready to deliver a smash hit.
Gleneagle's Shrek is choreographed by Gleneagle alumnus Lyndsey Britten, a professional triple threat who was in last year's Theatre Under the Stars production of Shrek at the Malkin Bowl (and recently wrapped up My Fair Lady with the Royal City Musical Theatre).
It also stars many leads from last year's successful run of Footloose including Julia Ewonus (Princess Fiona), Max Hall (Donkey), Alex van Geyn (Lord Farquaad) and Cassidy Stahr (Dragon).
Still, the spotlight will be on a Grade 11 student who hasn't appeared as often in the forefront in Gleneagle spring shows.
Devon Findley won the role of Shrek and it's a part he's relishing despite his face being covered in green wax and prosthetics.
"He's such a different character to portray he's forced into being a hero," Findley said.
Shrek the Musical follows the narrative of the first Shrek movie, produced in 2001 by DreamWorks and starring Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas.
In February 2014, the musical appeared for the first time in Western Canada, at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby a show that garnered the fledgling Align Entertainment company an Ovation Award in January and included Gleneagle's Stahr in the children's choir.
Freeborn said her students picked Shrek "not only because it's absolutely hilarious but it also embodies themes that we strive for at the school, which are friendship and diversity."
"As we sing in the show, Let Your Freak Flag Fly," she said.
Freeborn said she strives to give her young thespians a mix each year, alternating between adult and PG-themed plays: Last year's Footloose spoke of teen angst while its Thoroughly Modern Millie was a treat for the older crowd in 2013.
With Shrek, "the humour is subtle. The kids will understand one level but there's another layer that the adults will get so it's a great family show."
Tickets for Shrek the Musical are $15/$8 (no charge for kids under five), with performances from May 6 to 8 and May 13 to 15 at Gleneagle secondary (1195 Lansdowne Dr.). Call 604-464-5793.
@jwarrenTC
