Take a funny story, add music and a sprinkling of dance and voila — you have a musical theatre production. Add in about seventy Sandpoint area children as well as a good number of talented adults and you have magic. Shrek the Musical is currently in the final four weeks rehearsal at the Sandpoint High School auditorium and there’s lots of fun being had on stage.

With plenty of talent, this adventurous story set in the make-believe land of Duloc and features a big green ogre, a smart-talking donkey and a beautiful princess stuck in a tower, all linked together in a fervor to realize their dreams. Packed with a talented cast, Shrek the Musical promises to please.

While the story and the actors you will see one stage are integral to the enjoyment, there are also those behind the scenes whose contributions are critical to the performance. Props and costuming are essential ingredients and this production is graced by some mighty creative folks.

Costume mistress, Angie Aller, is a talented seamstress and creative genius when it comes to every detail in a costume. Leading the “Dream Seam Team”, Angie is a veteran Growing Dreams Productions, Inc., costumer. She and her team plan and develop the cloth, feather and chain mail creations which make Shrek the Musical come together visually on stage.

Nicknamed “Mama Aller” by someone in a cast of bygone days, Angie began working with Growing Dreams in order to spend more time with her theatre loving daughters. She loves a challenge and Lord Farquaad gives her the biggest one in this production. The actor cast in the role, Zane Rasor is 6’4”, while the Lord is only 4’2”, creating a veritable puzzle for Angie to solve as she creates his costume.

Mama Aller really enjoys working with these talented young people. She especially appreciates the family-like atmosphere and support the cast gives one another. She loves to sew and create things and would someday love to be a costumer in her day job. Until then, she generously spends uncounted hours in the planning and creating of costumes as well as mentoring young costumers in her spare time.

In addition to costuming, props play a significant role in the production of a play and this production of Shrek the Musical features some professional level props. From the fiery lava beds below the swinging bridge to the dragon’s lair, the growing city of Duloc, to the magnificent Dragon herself, all the props in this production are being created right here in Sandpoint. Many of the pieces you will see on stage are being built by the talented Stagecraft class at SHS. These hard-working students are really enjoying the challenge.

The Dragon, a 12-foot-long puppet supported by puppeteers Jordan Cassidy, Jenai Archer, Faith Clark, and Jaycee Forell, is an amazing piece of art created by Kim Fiellen. Scarlet red hues, with articulating lighted eyeballs and working wings, this puppet paired the beautiful and dynamic voice of actress Hope Ambridge brings this character to life in a big way on stage. Kim also created the Cheshire Cat Puppet from Alice in Wonderland and many other amazing stage props.

Managing all these pieces and parts is another key veteran player in the world of backstage — Skyra Schendel. Skyra is the Stage Manager, artfully weaving the pieces together and ensuring that things flow during the performances. An organizational genius, Skyra loves the thrill of putting a show together. “And I found the theatre and I found my home” she quotes Audra McDonald, in describing her love of theatre. She is really excited for the audiences to enjoy the magic of one of her favorite childhood characters featuring such talented actors using an amazing set and props she’s helped to bring to life. This is the biggest show she’s been Stage Manager for and she’s excited for the challenge.

Skyra and Student Assistant Director, Allison Kinnard are Director Jeannie Hunter’s critical support team. Allison is a newcomer to Sandpoint and to the theatre this year and has embraced both whole-heartedly. On a daily basis, she helps run rehearsals, keeps records, keeps cast members up-to-date on rehearsal changes and almost many other important tasks.

Everyone in the cast and behind the scenes would like to send out a big “Thank You!” to the generous Sponsors in our community who are supporting them in their love of theatre. With a budget of about $25,000, there’s a lot of appreciation for the generosity of sponsors such as The Pottery Bug, Mountain West Bank, King Enterprises, Arby’s of Sandpoint, Lighthouse, Winter Ridge Natural Foods, Rokstad Ford, and Dr. Rick Ballard. We also really appreciate the coverage the The Sandpoint Daily

Shrek the Musical will be performed April 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21 at the SHS Venishnik Auditorium. Shows are at 7 p.m., with a family show matinee on April 13 at 2 p.m. Opening night will feature a Red Carpet Gala and closing night will honor the Seniors in the play. The Family Show Matinee will feature reduced tickets for kids 10 and under. Student Discount Night will be Thursday, April 19. For more information, email growingdreamsproductions@gmail.com.