Jul 10, 2018 2 min read

Old Schoolhouse Players present “Shrek: The Musical,” opening Friday for a two-weekend run at the theater in Hickory.

Come relive the magic of Shrek’s journey to get the fairy-tale creatures home back and give Shrek his swamp back in peace. The musical, which won a Tony Award, is based on the Oscar-winning Dreamworks movie.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors and students, and $10 for children 12 and under to this family-friendly musical. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and July 20 and 21 and 3 p.m. Sunday and July 22. For reservations, call 724-344-7467

Bobby Fischer, who portrays Shrek, said the character is a challenge.

“With a character like Shrek, there’s no room for interpretation. It needs to be an authentic impression. People aren’t coming to see ‘my take’ on Shrek; they’re going to want to see the Shrek they all know.”

Fischer said the audience will love the music, too, which features new songs from Jeanine Tesori and a funny book by David Lindsay-Abaire.

“I think the audience will love the music,” Fischer said. “I was surprised at how complex and catchy the songs were.”

The show also takes a certain amount of technical expertise.

Katy Grant, who portrays the dragon, said manipulating the character is a four-person job.

“It’s no easy task,” she said. “It reminds me of my time working at Disney, only there is the added singing element to the pantomime.”

Grant’s resume includes several stints as Minnie at the Orlando Disney World.

“Sadly, there is no fire,” Grant said of the dragon. “But the costume is incredible-looking.”

She said the musical has both the family-friendly and adult humor that “can be found in the Shrek movies.”