RVHS to present ‘Shrek The Musical’
Costumes weren’t ready yet, but Grant Cullison had his ogre expression prepared for this photo from a play rehearsal for “Shrek the Musical.” Cullison, a senior at River View High School, is part of the cast and crew putting the play on at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 in the school’s auditorium. Admission is $5. For tickets, e-mail rvhsmusical@gmail.com or call the RVHS office at 740-824-3522. Josie Sellers | Beacon
WARSAW – River View High School (RVHS) students will entertain you and deliver a valuable lesson with “Shrek The Musical.”
“It has a message about being who you are, loving who you are and accepting each other,” said Mary McMullen, director. “I think the audience will connect with it.”
She is already impressed with the way the students have embraced the production.
“The kids are just fantastic,” McMullen said. “Before we choose a show we look at the group we have and this was a perfect fit for them.”
There are around 65 students involved in the production and 45 of them appear on stage.
“We’ve had open sessions on the weekends to work on the stage and five to 10 kids have shown up every time and some of the kids that come aren’t even part of the show,” McMullen said. “They are learning what it takes to put on a production and we are building a community.”
She also noted that the students are doing well with the challenges the play presents.
“They are playing fantasy characters that are larger than life,” McMullen said.
Some of the actors also have to learn to make their costumes part of them.
“Shrek has face prosthetics and a padded suit he has to act through, but still make it part of him,” McMullen said. “Then you have Donkey who is a male character played by a girl who also has to deal with a hot donkey suite.”
Donkey is played by junior Mackenzie Jennings.
“It’s been really fun playing him,” she said. “I’m a lot like donkey in real life. He doesn’t believe in personal space and is loud and talks a lot.”
Jennings favorite scene from the play is when she helps sing “Who I’d Be.”
“It’s really emotional,” she said.
That scene also is a favorite for Grant Cullison who plays Shrek.
“It’s before intermission and leaves the audience wanting more,” Cullison said.
The River View senior said playing Shrek has been entertaining and challenging.
“I’ve been working on his accent, but I don’t think anyone could ever do as well as Mike Myers,” Cullison said.
Senior Augusta Kinzel also has had to learn to make her voice sound different.
“I play Gingy and have to use a high-pitched voice,” she said. “It’s been fun to learn.”
Annie Bosson, a junior at River View, is happy to be part of putting “Shrek The Musical” on stage at River View.
“I get so into the music and I think it’s something everyone will enjoy,” she said.
Bosson plays Fiona in the production.
“I’ve been in the play every year in high school,” she said. “I love making people feel different emotions.”
The River View High School Music Department will present “Shrek The Musical” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 in the auditorium. Admission is $5. For tickets, e-mail rvhsmusical@gmail.com or call the RVHS office at 740-824-3522. Dinner will be served prior to the production from 5 to 7 p.m. both nights, but these tickets are pre-sale only and must be purchased by Monday, April 23. Adults are $7 and children 10 and under are $5.
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- Costumes weren’t ready yet, but Grant Cullison had his ogre expression prepared for this photo from a play rehearsal for “Shrek the Musical.” Cullison, a senior at River View High School, is part of the cast and crew putting the play on at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 in the school’s auditorium. Admission is $5. For tickets, e-mail rvhsmusical@gmail.com or call the RVHS office at 740-824-3522. Josie Sellers | Beacon
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