Valley Youth Theatre Will Present SHREK THE MUSICAL in Downtown Phoenix This Summer

Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) is heading to the swamp this summer with its final production of the 25/26 season, Shrek the Musical. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Tony Award-winning musical adventure features music by Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline, or Change) and a hilarious book by David Lindsay-Abaire.

Generously sponsored by Valley Toyota Dealers, the larger-than-life production runs June 12–28, 2026 on Center Stage at Herberger Theater Center.

Featuring a cast of talented performers ages 10–19 from across Arizona, Shrek the Musical follows an unlikely hero who embarks on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Along the way, audiences encounter fairy tale misfits, a fire-breathing dragon, and a short-tempered villain in a hilarious and heartwarming adventure celebrating friendship, acceptance, and the importance of being yourself.

The cast includes Erick Resendiz Jr. as Shrek, Jayvin Sumler as Donkey, Lucy Glow as Princess Fiona, Shane Sedivy as Lord Farquaad, Tayson Toledo as Pinocchio, and Ra'jihya Givens as Dragon. Additional cast members include Shea Levine Ging as Sugar Plum Fairy/Rat, Noelia Castillo as Young Fiona, Abby Baumbach as Teen Fiona, Carver Mollencop as Little Shrek, Abby Fleming as Queen Lillian/White Rabbit, Jaden Sparkman as King Harold/Thelonius/Captain, Drake de Gennaro-White as Big Bad Wolf, Lucas Stevens as Pied Piper/Guard, Isela Tovar as Mama Ogre/Wicked Witch, Isaiah Asmare as Papa Bear/Papa Ogre/Guard, Jolie Grimwood as Mama Bear, Oliver Spiegel as Baby Bear/Dwarf, Josephine Taylor as Fairy Godmother, London Cairney as Ugly Duckling, Azella Casap as Humpty Dumpty, Kaylah Magee as Elf, Mahagani Carter as Peter Pan, Tommy Gray as Pig/Knight, Jacob Hammond as Pig/Guard, Colton Wilcher as Pig/Rat, Claire Calihan as Blind Mouse/Rat/Duloc Dancer, Grier Donnally as Mad Hatter/Blind Mouse, Nora Bermudez as Blind Mouse/Duloc Dancer, Tommy Hebel as Bishop/Guard/Knight, Alexander Paquin as Rat, Kyler Tilley as Knight/Rat/Duloc Dancer, Andrea Grace Morris as Rat/Duloc Dancer, Ruby Crogan as Rat/Duloc Dancer/Dance Captain, Reagan Little as Rat/Duloc Dancer, Alyssa Ocean as Duloc Dancer, Hanna-Catherine Smith as Duloc Dancer, Ellie Evans as Duloc Dancer, Ariella Gilbert as Duloc Dancer, Aiden Haren as Guard/Duloc Dancer, and Jake Reifler as Guard/Knight.

“Shrek is a story about embracing who you are, celebrating differences, and finding friendship in the most unexpected places,” said Leigh Ann Dolan, executive director of Valley Youth Theatre. “This production is filled with extremely talented young people from across Arizona, including Erick Resendiz Jr., the young actor, playing Shrek, who is from Yuma and recently completed his first year at Grand Canyon University. Audiences are going to experience so much heart, humor, and the magic of live theatre when this fairy tale adventure takes the stage this summer.”

Featuring a live orchestra, conducted by Tristan Peterson-Steinert, the production is directed by Matthew Wiener, associate producer of Arizona Theatre Company, with choreography by Lauren Stanis.

Performances run June 12–28, 2026, at Herberger Theater Center. Tickets start at $24 plus fees and are available at www.vyt.com/tickets or by calling the Herberger Theater Center Box Office at (602) 252-8497. Group rates are available for parties of 20 or more. Special ASL-Interpreted performance happening Saturday, June 20 at p.m. with limited seating for those needing an unobstructed view of the ASL interpreters. Please contact the Herberger Theater Center's Box Office to reserve seats.

ABOUT VALLEY YOUTH THEATRE

Valley Youth Theatre's mission is to inspire young people to be the best they can be through a variety of performing arts opportunities. Along with mainstage productions, VYT offers year-round performing arts classes, Spring Break and Summer Camps, and award-winning community programs including Literacy and the Arts, Sponsor-A-Seat, and The Nigel Ross Scholarship Fund. For more information, visit www.vyt.com.

 

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