Featuring Over 100 Talented Berkshire Youth, SHREK THE MUSICAL Begins 8/1

Tony Award-Winning Shrek The Musical begins performances at The Colonial Theatre (111 South Street; Pittsfield) on August 1 and runs through August 17. Directed by Travis Daly (BTG: Tarzan, The Music Man, Beauty and the Beast), with music direction by Mark Gionfriddo (BTG: Tarzan, The Music Man, Beauty and the Beast) and choreography by Avital Asuleen (BTG: The Music Man, Tarzan), this charming musical features over 100 talented Berkshire youth.

Director, Travis Daly says "Shrek's important themes of inclusiveness, acceptance and celebration show us how the infectious the power of love and friendship can unite a community."

This production is sponsored by Lead Sponsor: Greylock Federal Credit Union, Greylock Insurance Agency, Co-sponsors: The Berkshire Eagle, Lyon Aviation, Phyllis Parvin, Richard M. Ziter M.D., Massachusetts Cultural Council and The Shubert Foundation.

Based on the Oscar-Winning Dreamworks Animation film, Shrek The Musical is a Tony Award-Winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs from Tony Award-Winner Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie; Caroline, or Change) and a side-splitting book by Pulitzer Prize-Winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole). Irreverently fun for the whole family, Shrek proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre.

"Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek..." And so begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand, and his name is Shrek.

Tickets may be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street, Pittsfield; at the Fitzpatrick Main Stage Ticket Office at 83 East Main Street, Stockbridge; by calling (413) 997-4444 or online at www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org. Ticket Offices are open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-2pm or on any performance day from 10am until curtain. All plays, schedules, casting and prices are subject to change.