Forget off-Broadway.

Christian Youth Theater North Idaho's young cast and crew members went into the woods and all around Post Falls for its upcoming film production of "Shrek the Musical the Movie."

"Being out on location, it was a different experience," theater mom Jennie Maines said Thursday. "They had to tromp through the woods and duck under barbed wire fence. We got stuck in a hellacious windstorm.

"Their patience with it, and watching them grow as they did something different was incredible. They learned so much," she said.

Her daughter, Abi Maines, who plays Mama Bear, has been in CYT for four years. "Shrek" is her seventh production.

“She thought it was very exciting. She just likes that it was different," Jennie said.

She shared a comment from Abi: "God gave us a great opportunity to make a movie. It was such a good experience, I think CYT should do it again."

CYT North Idaho artistic director Jessica Belisle said in a June 18 Press interview that a few kids said they felt like movie stars to be filming scenes on set rather than performing on stage.

"They were kind of hesitant at first," Belisle said. "We kept telling them, 'This is a really unique opportunity, just hang in there. It's going to be different, it's going to be great.' Once we got to filming, we had really positive feedback, especially from ages 8 to 15, just really a lot of excitement that they got to be on set."

The faith-based theater nonprofit, which has been in North Idaho 13 years, made a remarkable comeback after its existence was threatened by COVID-19 closures and financial strain in December.

After the announcement it would have to close, community members and businesses came out in droves to show their support. The Kroc Center offered theater space for CYT's rehearsals and classes. CYT was able to pull off a cabaret, “Hats off to Broadway,” in mid-March, which involved 40 kids in 12 different musical numbers.

"They were able to do what the kids love most, which is perform," Belisle said. “The kids had a blast. I had so many of them say it was their favorite performance because they got to have so much time on stage."

Since local pandemic guidelines still wouldn’t allow for full capacity audiences, CYT NI tried something new — making a movie.

A cast of 60 will be featured in the CYT film version of "Shrek the Musical," based on the story of everyone's favorite big green ogre.

"Coping with unforeseen circumstances like windstorms and wildlife, the cast of 'Shrek the Musical' wrapped filming a few weeks ago and the production is in the process of being edited," Belisle said. "The whole North Idaho theatrical community is holding its breath with the hope that come fall, theater will be all that it was before the pandemic hit."

A red carpet premiere for cast members and their families will be at the Kroc Center on July 15.

Audiences will be able to view CYT North Idaho’s "Shrek the Musical the Movie" two different ways. In-person viewing at the Kroc Center will be at 7 p.m. July 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 and at 3 p.m. July 18 and 25. At-home viewing will be streamed at 7 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from July 16 through Aug. 29.

Tickets are $15 per person or per device.

Info: www.cytnorthidaho.org/shows