Show starts Friday

One of the most popular animated films of the past 20 years is hitting the stage at Warren Central Friday.

“Shrek The Musical,” based on the 2001 DreamWorks film, Shrek, premieres Friday night at 7 p.m.

Nancy Robertson, choir director at WCHS and fine arts curriculum director for the Vicksburg Warren School District, said the production will be one of the drama club’s biggest shows yet.

“This is the most amazing play we’ve ever done,” she said Friday. “It is the neatest, coolest musical. It’s just so much fun.”

Robertson said the idea was pushed by WCHS teacher Matt Gullett, who is the set designer and writing consultant.

“This was his baby,” she said. “He’s been wanting to do this for a couple of years and we were finally able to do it.”

The 2001 film tells the story of a misanthropic ogre who prefers solitude, until his life is interrupted when fairytale creatures are exiled there by order of Lord Farquaad. The musical adaptation premiered in December 2008 and closely mirrors the film’s plot.

Robertson said the contemporary nature of the music makes the play more accessible to the performers, many of whom were young children when Shrek first hit the big screen.

“The kids that are in the play are having a lot of fun,” she said. “Everybody knows the characters and loves them.”

Robertson, who Friday was riding back from Josette’s Costumes, said the characters’ outfits were as impressive as she had ever worked with.

“I’ve never seen anything like it in my life,” she said.

She said the extravagant costumes match the scope of the musical.

“We have 57 cast members and about 15 crew members at least,” she said. “It’s a major undertaking.”

If you go

Shrek will be performed Friday at 7 p.m and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Warren Central High School auditorium, 1000 U.S. 27.

Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at the door or by calling 601-631-2916.