Alliance Theatre to Present SHREK, 2/22-3/16

Atlanta's nationally acclaimed ALLIANCE THEATRE will present Shrek the Musical, based on the beloved Dreamworks film character and William Steig's 1990s book, February 22 through March 16, 2014 as part of its Alliance Stage Family Series. Rosemary Newcott, the Sally G. Tomlinson Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth and Families, directs this enchanting production which ran for 12 months on Broadway and is now adapted to a family friendly one-act experience.

Watch Shrek the ogre leave his home and give up his privacy to rescue the princess Fiona, herself under a curse that makes her nervous about her looks. In this fairy tale world, there is someone for everyone no matter what they look like.

"There is an ageless appeal about SHREK," said Director Rosemary Newcott. "It may be because fairy tales and their iconic imagery are still relevant to all of us. It may be because we love a good love story. It may be because we love edgy, sometimes cartoonish and sometimes a little gross comedy, or... maybe it's because most of us believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to wave their particular 'flag of individuality' with pride. Shrek does - and he sings about it - gloriously!"

The cast for Shrek includes Caleb Clark as Shrek and Galen Crawley as Fiona. Other cast members include Atlanta favorite David de Vries as Lord Farquaad and Monte Howell as Donkey. The following cast members play a variety of fantasy characters - Danye Brown, Loren Lott, Jeff McKerley, Marcie Millard, Lyndsay Ricketson, Jeremy Varner and Alex West.

On March 8, the Woodruff Arts Center Galleria will transform into "Shrek Land" for FAMILIES Centerstage - an annual fundraiser supporting the ALLIANCE THEATRE's education program. Patrons will be given a map to guide them through a swamp, woods, and castle. Along the way, they will stop at activity stations hosted by a variety of local non-profit organizations for children. Activities will relate to the themes, setting, and overall excitement of the ALLIANCE THEATRE production of Shrek The Musical. Confirmed participants for this year's event include Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Botanical Gardens, Center for Puppetry Arts, Expressions in Motion Dance, Fernbank Museum, High Museum of Art, Macaroni Kid, and Zoo Atlanta. Tickets for FAMILIES Centerstage include admission to either the 1:00 pm or 4:00 pm performance of Shrek the Musical, with "Shrek Land" happening from 2:00 - 4:00pm. FAMILIES Centerstage is presented by Cartoon Network, North Highland, AT&T and Publix Super Market Charities. Tickets are available at www.alliancetheatre.org/FAMILIEScenterstage. To learn about becoming a patron sponsor for FAMILIES Centerstage, please contact BRyan Saxon at bryan.saxon@woodruffcenter.org or call 404.733.5186.

Shrek the Musical will have sixteen performances - Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00pm and 3:30pm, from Feb. 22-March 16, 2014 on the Alliance Stage (except for February 22, when the performance times are 3:30pm & 7:00pm; and March 8, when the performance times are 1:00pm & 4:00pm). Opening Night is February 22, 7:00pm.

Performances are also available for school groups and home-school groups February 19 - March 7, Tuesday through Friday at 9:45am & 11:45am; and March 12 & 13, 9:45am. Most appropriate for grades K-6, and apply to Curriculum Standards: CCRR.9, CCRR. 3, CCRSL.2, CCRL.6, TAES.1, TEAS.11. Tickets for school groups are deeply discounted. To book your school group, call 404.733.4661 or email allianceschoolday@woodruffcenter.org. Learn more about all field trip opportunities at http://alliancetheatre.org/content/field-trips.

Adult tickets are $35 and Child tickets are $20 and are available at The Woodruff Arts Center Box Office, by calling 404.733.5000 or online at www.alliancetheatre.org/shrek. Discount rates for groups of 10 or more are available by calling 404.733.4690. Discount rates are also available for members of the military, seniors and students. The ALLIANCE THEATRE is located at The Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree Street, at the corner of Peachtree and 15th Street, in Midtown Atlanta.

Shrek the Musical is part of the Delta Family Series on the Alliance Stage.