The Magic of SHREK THE MUSICAL Comes to The Ritz This Month

During the Month of July at 4:30 in the afternoon The Ritz Theatre Box Office Manager, Craig Hutchings, begins the two hour transformation to become the beloved Ogre, Shrek. Craig and the assorted crazies that make up the cast of Shrek the Musical, will soon be taking Haddon Township by storm. Opening July 9th for a 4 week run, the theatre is pulling out all the stops. Ernie Jewell who stared in last summer's production of Young Frankenstein, is directing the cast of 24 talented performers including Megan Pisors as Fiona, Matt Reher as Farquaad and David Mooney as Donkey.

Craig begins the process of the transformation with a heavily padded fat suit, which most of us are trying to shed and then continues with the magic of Tina Heinz, costumer and owner of Tina Productions. Head gear and make-up, add the costume and 3" lifts in his shoes and two hours later the towering Ogre comes to life. Craig is no stranger to Ritz Audiences having appeared in many productions such as Drowsy Chaperone, Spamalot, and Boeing Boeing to mention a few. Craig and his wife Katy, also an actress and singer live in Audubon, New Jersey.

Shrek is a musical with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. It is based on the 2001 DreamWorks film Shrek and William Steig's 1990 book Shrek. After a trial run in Seattle, the original Broadway production opened in December 2008.

The story begins with an ogre named Shrek telling the audience of his childhood, and how, on his seventh birthday, his parents sent him out of their house and into the world to make his living. They warn him that because of his looks, everyone will hate him, and he will not have a happy ending. And then Craig, Ernie and this high energy cast do everything in their power to make the ending different. The outcome will delight every child and the child in all of us.

The Ritz Theatre Company, is celebrating its 30th year of being Camden County's most active producing Theatre. It offers a full season of Mainstage Musicals, Comedies and Dramas as well as 8 Children Shows, Youth productions and an active Summer Camp for youth from grades 1 - 12 and special events.

Shrek the Musical by Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Afaire, will be performed July 9th through August 2nd. For information and reservations, call the box office Monday thru Friday, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. at 856-858-5230 or visit the Ritz website at www.ritztheatreco.org.

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