CYT Northwest Cook to stage 'Shrek the Musical'

Let your freak flag fly!

CYT Chicago's Northwest Cook County presents "Shrek the Musical," and brings the story of everyone's favorite ogre to life Feb. 16-25 at Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines.

"This was the first show I ever saw live on Broadway when it came out in 2008, and I instantly loved it," says Colin Claytor, the actor playing the title role. "From that moment on, I wanted to be in theater. To play my dream role as Shrek is one of the best feelings possible."

Based on the 2001 Oscar®-winning DreamWorks film, "Shrek the Musical" follows the story of an ogre named Shrek who finds his swamp home overrun by fairy tale creatures who have been banished there by the evil Lord Farquaad.

Shrek makes a deal with Farquaad to bring him a princess in exchange for the deed for his swamp. Shrek sets out with a talking Donkey and rescues Princess Fiona. While they take Fiona to Farquaad so she can marry him, Shrek begins to learn new things about himself … and his companions.

"'Shrek' is a show that encourages you to really embrace all your quirks, all your idiosyncrasies, everything about you that makes you unique," says Andrew Trotter, the show's lead director.

"There's such a pressure on everyone, especially teens and young adults, to fit in to a certain mold, or to think a certain way, to look a certain way. This show says, 'No, you are who you are, and that's an amazing thing.'"

CYT Chicago (formerly Spotlight Youth Theater) is a Christian theater arts program based in the Chicago suburbs. All the actors are students ages 8 to 18, and this message of embracing your uniqueness is especially important for this age group.

CYT fosters an environment where they can come together and support each other through the hard work of mounting a full musical production.

"I enjoy seeing not only talent from these students, but also how they support each other," says Trotter, who's been with CYT for over a decade as a student, a teacher, and a director.

"It's always amazing to walk into a room and see kids rehearsing, going over lines, or building each other up. It fills my heart every time I see the constant love from the students in this show."

Along with Shrek, Donkey, and Princess Fiona, the fairy tale creatures also take a journey of discovery, and learn that "what makes us special/makes us strong."

They celebrate who they are in one of the best songs of the show, "Freak Flag." David Lindsay-Abaire's Tony-award nominated lyrics and fun, upbeat music spread a positive, powerful message about believing in yourself.

Claytor says he thinks audiences will like the song "Who I'd Be."

"It shows how Shrek is enjoying his life as this hated creature, but deep down we find out that he really does want to be a hero," he says.

This is Claytor's first starring role, and he has had to stretch himself to meet the challenge.

"I never realized what it was like to sing by yourself with the vocal director and have it just be YOU," he says. "It's a very special experience, because I've always been part of an ensemble. Singing by myself can be intimidating."

Trotter also is aware of the heroic effort to put on a show of this size, which includes not only Shrek and his swamp, but a dragon-guarded keep, Farquaad's castle, and traveling the Duloc landscape. These locations host a variety of songs and dances, woodland and fairy tale creatures, soldiers, townspeople, and tap-dancing rats.

"Between multiple big group dance numbers, insane vocal demands, and just making sure all the pieces fit together on stage, this show is a giant endeavor," says Trotter. "Thankfully, I have an amazing team who supports me and is excellent at their craft. I wouldn't be able to do it without them."

Just like Donkey helps Shrek and Fiona reach their final destination and discover the truth about themselves, the directing team leads the young performers in a quest for an excellent production full of likable characters, fun dances, and toe-tapping musical numbers.

"'Shrek' is a great family show to see," says Trotter. "And scores of kids (and their parents) have worked very hard to put it together."

Tickets are $11-$14 presale, $2 more at the door (group, child, and senior prices available). Visit www.cytchicago.org and click on "Shows" or call (847) 516-2298 to purchase tickets. The Prairie Lakes Theater seats only 300, so shows sell out quickly.

For information, visit the group's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CYTNorthwestCook/.

If you go

What: CYT Chicago, Northwest Cook, presents "Shrek the Musical"

When: 7 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 6 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 16-25

Where: Prairie Lakes Community Theater, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines

Tickets: $12-$14, $2 more at the door

Details: <a href="http://www.cytchicago.org/nwcw18_shrek">www.cytchicago.org</a> or (847) 516-2298