Nasty will be nice and Batavia will be ogre-the-moon when Batavia Middle School students present their production of Shrek The Musical JR. beginning March 14, it was announced by Freddie Gershon, CEO of Music Theatre International (MTI). The family-friendly musical comedy follows the adventures of an ogre named Shrek who sets off on a quest to save a princess from a dragon. However, it turns out that in order to ultimately succeed, Shrek must battle an even bigger obstacle: learning how to believe in himself and open his heart to others.

Batavia Middle School will present Shrek The Musical JR. on March 14 at 7:00 p.m. and March 16 at 2:00 p.m. at Batavia Middle School at 2 Bulldog Place, Batavia, Ohio. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/82044?fbclid=IwAR1w5fEyefBkcfZt4 jLwNGOLMyT4-1jTHBXTrpsaTXqwnSiVMZitIavt6OY. For more information, please call/email Heather Couch at 513-476-7945/couch_h@bataviaschools.org.

“Shrek’s unique story of discovery encourages each of us to examine our prejudices, review what we believe to be our limitations and work to better understand ourselves and others. The actors and crew in this production have embarked on a similar journey, as students and teachers with many different interests have learned more about themselves and each other while collaborating towards the common goal of presenting this musical,” says Gershon.

Shrek The Musical JR. follows an ogre named Shrek who has learned the hard way that “people hate the things they cannot understand.” For many years he has protected himself from the hurtful actions of those who are scared of him by living as a recluse in a cozy cesspit. One day, his peaceful swamp is disturbed by new tenants: fairytale misfits — including Pinocchio, the Ugly Duckling, the Wicked Witch, Peter Pan, the Three Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf — have been banished there by the villainous Lord Farquaad. In order to gain back his land, Shrek makes a deal with Farquaad to rescue the feisty princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a fierce dragon. Setting off with his faithful companion, Donkey, Shrek begins the journey of a lifetime filled with adventure, romance, and hilarity.

With music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek The Musical is based on the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks Animation film and the book Shrek by William Steig. The original Broadway production, starring Brian d’Arcy James as Shrek and Sutton Foster as Fiona, ran for twelve months and received a total of twelve Drama Desk Awards and eight Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. The musical was adapted to be performed by students by educational musical theatre consultancy firm iTheatrics under the supervision of Timothy Allen McDonald.

Shrek The Musical JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting schools as well as amateur and professional theaters from around the world the rights to perform the largest selection of great musicals from Broadway and beyond.