The news is out. The folks at the Santa Clarita Regional Theatre have persuaded everyone’s favorite ogre to come to our great valley and star in another magnificent summer theater experience at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center. After telling Mr. Shrek about last year’s production of Les Miserables, which was so successful, each performance earned a full standing ovation, he was heard to say that he is convinced that a production of Shrek the Musical will be destined to be fabulous — and is sure to outdo Les Miz. “After all,” he said during a Shrek rehearsal, “Will ye look at the high-caliber talent and have ye seen our bloomin’ set?  Besides, who can top the hilarious and movin’ story of everyone’s favorite ogre – me?”

Shrek the Musical is truly a story about loving and being true to who you really are.  In a kingdom turned upside down, the uncouth ogre shows up to rescue a feisty princess and things get ugly. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a height-challenged short-tempered villain, a cookie with an attitude and lots of fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of upheaval that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek.

Shrek the Musical is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and all irreverent fun for everyone. The show features a terrific score, huge laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery. Ultimately, it’s a story about inner beauty… and is far and away one of the funniest new musicals ever to come from Broadway!  This professional quality production is appropriate for children ages 8 and up and will appeal to serious musical theatergoers as well!  Performances are at the beautiful Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Valencia, from August 2 to August 24, 2014.  Saturdays: 8 PM Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23, Sundays: 2 PM Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24. Tickets are $12 – $29 and are available at the SCRT/CTG Box office: 661-799-2702.

Canyon Theatre Guild Presents Forever Plaid, Singing with Voices of… Angels?

The Canyon Theatre Guild is proud to present Forever Plaid, a warmhearted revue of the close-harmony “guy groups” that reached the height of their popularity during the 1950’s. The Plaids are quartet of high school chums whose heartfelt dream is to record an album.  Unfortunately, on their way to see the Beatles’ American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show, their dreams and they themselves are killed in a collision with a bus filled with schoolgirls. Now, the boys have returned from the hereafter for one final chance at musical glory.  This magical shot at a do-over is has lots of appeal for of us, and between telling the stories of their lives, the Plaids perform some of the greatest hits from the 1950s before returning back to Heaven.

Singing in the closest of harmony, squabbling boyishly and executing the charmingly outlandish choreography with over-zealous precision, the “Plaids” are a guaranteed smash. Their delightful patter keeps audiences rolling in the aisles when they’re not humming along to some of the great nostalgic pop hits of the 1950’s.  Performances of Forever Plaid are Friday & Saturday at 8 PM, July 26, August 2, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23. Sunday matinees are at 2 PM July 27, August 3, 10, 17, 24, on the Canyon Theatre Guild stage in Old Town Newhall. Tickets are on sale now. Adult tickets are $17-$19, and Juniors/Seniors are $15-$17. Please call the Canyon Theatre Guild Box office for reservations at 661-799-2702.