Shrek comes to life at K-M

Shrek, the loveable green ogre, comes to life in Kasson next week with the Kasson-Mantorville Drama Department’s all-school performance of Dreamworks’ “Shrek, The Musical!”
The cast has been hard at work since the end of August perfecting their lines to ready for the first performance on Nov. 7, said Director Mel Ferris. Assisting in the production are Assistant Director Liz Harwood, Student Assistant Director Maddy Larsen, Musical Director Andrew Faller and Orchestra Director Tony Boldt.
The production has a cast of 60, Ferris said, along with another 40 working backstage.
The costumes, with few exceptions, are all being made by students and parents, she said.
Gabe Bungum plays the adult Shrek, while Rowan Wyttenbach is Little Shrek. Rachel Tuma and Josiah Sandstrom are Mama and Papa Ogre. Ashley Johnson is Fiona and Kylie Harwood is Little Fiona.
The musical tells the story of Shrek, a loveable, but grumpy ogre, who, with a talking Donkey, goes on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona from a fire-breathing dragon so she can marry Lord Farquaad. As is to be expected Shrek, Donkey and Fiona discover that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, everyone is special and true love and real friendship are not make-believe.
The musical is adopted from the book, “Shrek” by William Steig and the Shrek film series.
As is customary with Kasson-Mantorville musicals, there will be a dinner served in the high school Commons before both of the Saturday evening performances, this year on Nov. 9 and 15 at 5 p.m.
This year’s dinner is a “Chomp in the Swamp” and will be catered by the Misplaced Magnolia Southern Bistro & BBQ. Menu will include barbeque ribs, pork and chicken, baked beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, rolls and beverages.
Dinner tickets must be purchased at least seven days before the dinner and are $15 for adults, $10 for kids and free for children under three.
There will be a “Students and Seniors” matinee at noon on Thursday, Nov. 7. Tickets for this performance are available only at the door.
The other performances will be Friday, Nov. 8, and Saturday, Nov. 9, Thursday, Nov. 14, Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday Nov. 16, all at 7 p.m. There will be a Sunday afternoon matinee at 2 p.m. on both Sundays, Nov. 10 and Nov. 17.
Tickets for the performances are $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased online at www.komet-tickets.com.