Under the direction of John Forier, Bellarmine’s spring show, “Shrek the Musical,” has been steadily underway.
Rather than the usual approach, Forier’s vision has been an original and experimental take on “Shrek the Musical” while simultaneously maintaining the valuable messages of acceptance, storytelling, and discovering the true meaning of “beauty.”
The show begins by implementing a high school context for the iconic characters that we all know and love. They slowly enter into the world of “Shrek,” and their fairytale personas are a direct reflection of their real world personalities and values.
This directing choice makes it possible to craft a new interpretation of this beloved story. It also allows Bellarmine’s actors and crew to come up with an even more complex story through the use of books as the core of the sets, and the underlying high school lives beneath each and every character on stage.
A favorite aspect of the set among many is the bookshelf where students have been asked to draw their favorite books to permanently be a part of the production. Throughout the process, it is encouraged that everyone contribute their favorite pieces of literature on the wall. It is a beautiful collection of every students’ experience because books so often help shape and reflect humanity as well.
Students shared reasons as to why people should come to the show.
Junior Samantha Price, playing the role of Fiona, said, “I think people should come and support theatre because we have a really great community here in this department. We go out and support sports teams, and it would be cool if we did the same for the arts as well by cheering on our fellow classmates.”
Senior Frank Kormos, playing the role of Shrek, said, “More now than ever in our current world, people are losing sight of just how important the arts are to our society. That’s why I think it’s important that we keep those arts thriving and why you should come support us.”
Set crew member and sophomore Isaac Smith said, “I think people should come support the theatre program and all the work that everyone puts in. The pit, the crews, the actors, and the adults that help have all done so much.”
Cast member and junior Megan Webber said, “You should come see the show because I think we should be supporting our arts department just as much as we support our sports.”
Freshman Elisabeth Stowe, playing Young Fiona, said, “The people are so great.”
Senior, and one of the department’s leaders and cast members, Emily Lineberry said, “People should come see ‘Shrek’ because we all worked really hard on it and it’s going to be super fun to watch.”
This is a show not to miss. It takes so much time and commitment to put up a show with this level of detail and hard work, so please support these students who have poured their hearts into this department here at Bellarmine.
Tickets are available now at https://cur8.com/20774/project/127506 .
