Align Entertainment is proud to announce their upcoming family friendly, live musical production of Shrek the Musical, on stage at Michael J Fox Theatre in February 2020.
“After seeing record numbers show up for our auditions, we were finally able to narrow it down to these wonderful performers who we already know will shine on stage and bring magic to the swamp.”
Set in a mythical “once upon a time” sort of landscape, Shrek the Musical is just like the animated movie series and chronicles the life of a hulking green ogre who, after being mocked and feared his entire life, retreats to an ugly green swamp to exist in happy isolation. Along the way, he meets others as unique as he is, realizes his own self-worth and spoiler alert – overcomes the bullies who have taunted him his entire existence.
“One of the best life lessons that comes out of Shrek is how important it is to be yourself - captured in everybody’s favorite song from the show, ‘let your freak flag fly,’” says Align Entertainment’s director and co-producer Chad Matchette.
PRINCIPAL CAST:
SHREK:
Vancouver-based, award-winning actor Charlie Deagnon has been cast in the leading role as Shrek. No stranger to the local theatre scene, Deagnon, who is known for his big voice and even bigger energy on stage, has most recently played Lonny, one of the leading characters in Rock of Ages, Nathan Detroit in the classic Guys and Dolls, William Barfee in Spelling Bee and Schultz in Cabaret.
PRINCESS FIONA
Shrek’s love interest and the character who has become known as the parody of all traditional fairy tale princesses is being played by none other than Vancouver-based actor, singer and dancer Maddie Livland. New to Align but not new to the scene, Livland’s list of selected credits include: Rosie in Cabaret, Sylvia in All Shook Up and most recently as a headline performer and improvisational actor with Disney Cruise Lines. She is a recipient of the University of British Columbia’s David Spencer Endowment Fund and Arts Club Musical Theatre Intensive Scholarship.
DONKEY
Everybody’s favorite, Shrek’s sidekick Donkey will be played by Align alumnus and award-winning stage star Daniel Curalli. Theatre fans may not recognize him by sight this time around but will undoubtedly be familiar with his antics. Curalli has performed in everything from Hairspray and Mary Poppins to Rooster in Annie and most recently Theatre Under the Stars’ production of Newsies. When not on stage, Curalli participates in independent film projects, teaches with the Vancouver Opera as well as Place des Arts in Coquitlam.
DRAGON
For recurring Align actor, Vancouver-based director and Capilano University musical theatre history instructor Jenn Suratos, the chance to be back on an Align stage to play the role of Dragon is a great opportunity and one she is very happy about, she says. Some of her most favorite stage roles include: Ardelia from Silence the Musical, Pilate from Jesus Christ Superstar and Sarah from the show Company.
LORD FARQUAAD
Ruthless ruler and short-in-stature antagonist Lord Farquaad is to be played by Vancouver actor, Douglas College graduate and metal music fan Stuart Barkley. His most recent past performances include Sky in Arts Club Theatre’s production of Mamma Mia, Warner in Align’s production of Legally Blonde and Robert Martin in TUTS’ production of The Drowsy Chaperone.
PINOCCHIO
The world’s favorite fairy tale wooden boy and Shrek’s best friend will be played by New Westminster singer, dancer and actor Simon Auclair-Troughton who is new to the Align family but not new to stage. A long-time student of Coquitlam-based Lindbjerg Performing Arts Academy, Auclair-Troughton has played a number of leading roles in their productions that include: Benny from In the Heights, Frederick Barrett from Titanic The Musical and even Geppetto from My Son Pinocchio.
Tickets for the show, running January 31 to February 15 2020 are on sale now and selling quickly. To purchase your tickets now, visit: https://www.vtixonline.com/?series=Align+Entertainment
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