Monessen students prepare to stage ‘Shrek’
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Editor’s note: Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Tom Wolf has announced that all Pennsylvania schools will be closed for the next 10 business days, and as a result the musical has been postponed until further notice.
When Milana Sacco thought about taking the stage in Monessen Middle/Senior High School’s musical a few years ago, doing so as a bright-green ogre probably wasn’t what she pictured.
Sacco, a senior at Monessen, will play the role of Princess Fiona in the high school performing arts group’s production of “Shrek,” which opens March 26.
It’s a nontraditional role, to say the least.
“She does have a very well-rounded personality,” said Sacco, 18. “Throughout the show we see so many sides of Fiona that I’ve really had to study her character.”
That study has been made easier by Netflix. While Sacco has seen the animated “Shrek” film a few times, it is also one of the few Broadway musicals whose stage production can be seen on the streaming service.
“I’m actually not super-familiar with the film,” Sacco said. “But I’ve watched the Broadway production several times.”
For senior and stage manager Jordan Miller, 17, the focus is on time management.
“It’s the biggest challenge,” Miller said. “Making sure everyone is where supposed to be, that everyone has the right props to use for rehearsal and the show.”
Fellow stage crew member Angelie Bartholomew said she is excited to watch things gel with each successive rehearsal.
“Everyone is really getting into character and the sets and props are getting done,” she said.
Rehearsals and set work have been ongoing since mid-December, according to musical director and high-school band teacher Hilary Brown, who said she’s been pleasantly surprised by several of the 43 cast and crew members.
“I’m seeing kids I would normally expect to see as part of the show,” Brown said. “We have a lot of shy kids, but when they get on the stage it’s like seeing a different person.”
A little bit of stage fright might be expected with a cast that includes students from sixth grade onward.
“I’ve watched a lot of kids from the elementary and middle school, and I can kind of tell who’s ready and who isn’t,” Brown said.
In addition to younger students in the cast, Brown said this year’s show will likely translate to younger students in the audience, too.
“We haven’t done a lot of ‘kids’ shows’ for a while,” she said. “We’ve done ‘Grease,’ ‘Anything Goes,’ ‘Rock of Ages’ … the school board kind of felt we were getting away from having shows where younger kids would be coming to see it.”
Choosing a show whose story is familiar to nearly anyone under the age of 25 certainly will not hurt.
“‘Shrek’ was one of my favorite movies growing up,” said senior Joshua Anderson, who will play the lovable, misunderstood title character. “It’s fun to learn and develop this idea of always wanting to be left alone, but also with a little bit of a soft side.”
“Shrek” will take place at 7 p.m. March 26-28, with a 2 p.m. matinee on March 29.
Tickets are $10 to $14, and are available at MHSgpa.booktix.com and at the door.