Ogre invades Virden’s Aud Theatre

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This article was published 04/05/2017 (3289 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Virden Collegiate performers are in full gear preparing to take to the Aud Theatre stage in Shrek the Musical. In the spring of 2015, director Michelle Chyzyk confidently announced the upcoming high school musicals for the next two years — Aida in May 2016 and Shrek for May 2017. Choosing a show can be a difficult process, but Chyzyk was invested in her students and convinced that the upcoming leaders in the school would fill these roles beautifully. She was also excited about the challenges the two contrasting projects would present for the students. Students from VCI’s 2016 production of Aida were given complimentary tickets as part of their prize last year to attend Rainbow Stage’s production of Shrek.

The Shrek cast of 50 performers is led by Grade 12 talent Brandt Unger. Brandt played the handsome Prince Radames in last year’s award-winning Aida and he is loving the chance to show off his comedic chops as the dearly loved character of Shrek. Unger is capable of anything and audiences will be amazed at his transformation.

At Shrek’s side will be his trusty sidekick, Donkey. Grade 12 student Noah Friesen pulls this role off with his tremendously flamboyant style and hilarious antics. The role of Princess Fiona will be shared by Laurel Eslinger and Jessica McBride. These two young women are both extraordinary musicians and actresses. VCI is also very, very excited to be unveiling one of the community’s newest discovered talents as Lord Farquaad in Grade 11 student Dane Leslie, who brought the house down at auditions. Leslie has perfect pitch and a vocal instrument of tremendous beauty and colour. The role of Dragon will be played by Grade 10 student Emily Morissette, the little girl with the huge voice. She will be moving in unison with a masterpiece Dragon created by Brandon’s brilliant Marilyn Hardy and operated by three puppeteers.

The VCI teachers will also take the stage as the knights imprisoned in the stocks and principal Mark Keown is fabulous in his dwarf cameo. Young Fiona is played by two charming little girls, Charley Dunning and Kendall Charles. Makenna Henry and Keira Peters play teen Fiona, and little Shrek is played by Grade 5 student, Mason Lamb. Adults Susan Martens, Marlin Peters, Shalen Plaisier, and Todd Plaisier also appear in the show’s opening scene.

The cast of VCI students has been working diligently to bring to life so many colourful scenes donning costumes as the Duloc dancers, townspeople, guards, tap dancing rats, and the various Fairytale Creatures – led by Pinocchio, Brycen Reimer, and Gingy, a role shared by Emily Cochrane and Kennedy Charles.

The cast boasts several family connections with Keown joining his son Shane, who plays the captain of the guards. The three lovely and talented Charles girls — McKenna, Kennedy, and Kendall — take to the stage in various roles. The record is set by the Peters family with father Marlin, daughters Rachel and Keira on stage, and mother Deb, a VCI teacher, serving as stage manager. There will be many incredible things to see and hear – costuming by Lynn Lelond and Lisa Cranston, choreography by Chloe Hayward, sets and props by Leon Friesen and VCI art classes, detailed props by Kathy Welsh and crew, the work of talented make-up artist Nicole Hunter, lighting and special effects by genius Thomas Humphries, and the Aud’s projection screen filled with professionally designed animated backgrounds. There is also excitement about a flying scene for the first time in the Aud Theatre.

So, “let your freak flag fly” at the Aud theatre with shows are May 11 and 12 at 7 pm; and a May 13 matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at Virden School and Office Supplies (204) 748-1645.

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