INTERVIEW: Jersey Shore youth learn theatrical ropes in ‘Shrek the Musical’
Image courtesy of Axelrod / Provided with permission.
Shrek the Musical, based on the beloved DreamWorks film, is giving many opportunities to young theater performers in the Jersey Shore region. The celebrated show, with music by Jeanine Tesori, runs through Dec. 8 at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park, located a few minutes from Downtown Asbury Park.
What makes this production unique is that the cast of the show is made up of performers from Axelrod’s Rising Stars Youth Performing Arts Program, under the direction of Lisa Goldfarb. Entry into this prestigious program is audition-based and reserved for Monmouth and Ocean county residents aged 8-19, according to press notes. The theatrical basics are covered in the rehearsal sessions, including singing, dancing, acting and staging — and the culmination of their hard work this fall season is Shrek the Musical.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Andrew DePrisco, artistic director of the Axelrod, about this Shrek production and the continued success of Rising Stars. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What do you love most about the Rising Stars Youth Performing Arts Program at Axelrod?
The Jersey Shore is fortunate to have many active theaters and dance studios that offer young people classes in dance, acting and singing. What sets the Axelrod program above the rest is the opportunity for young people to come together and work on a full-scale production of a musical in an educational/professional setting. Our Rising Stars shows run for two full weekends with the highest quality costumes, sets, lights, sound, props, etc., giving the young people the opportunity of working with professionals from all areas of theater.
How does one join Rising Stars?
Rising Stars is an audition-based program, so any young person (from age 8 to 19) can audition and be cast in a show. The participation fee is $425 per show per student.
How long has the company been working on this production of Shrek?
Auditions were held the week after Labor Day, and the performers rehearse three times per week until the show opens (on Nov. 30). Of course, tech week (the last week of the rehearsal process), the students are required to rehearse every day (except Fridays).
Why do you think Shrek is a good musical for the youth program?
Shrek is a new kind of fairy tale that speaks to Gen Z. The message of Shrek is that everyone is beautiful as they are, that everyone is worthy of love, and that we need to accept people as they are.
What’s on the horizon for Axelrod in 2020?
The Axelrod PAC has much to offer in 2020, including six musicals and three ballets and many great concerts. In March, the Axelrod PAC welcomes back Broadway choreographer Luis Salgado to direct a new version of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, opening on March 6. In the summer, the Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater will be presenting the world premiere of a new work called The Lost Princess of Oz, a Wizard of Oz sequel, written by L. Frank Baum.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Shrek the Musical, part of the Rising Stars Youth Performing Arts Program, plays through Dec. 8 at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park, New Jersey. Click here for more information and tickets.
