<div dir="ltr">Full text here: <br><a href="http://www.marjoriepreston.com/2013/06/mercury-summer-stocks-shrek-a-lively-journey-full-of-surprises/ ">http://www.marjoriepreston.com/2013/06/mercury-summer-stocks-shrek-a-lively-journey-full-of-surprises/ </a><br>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0in"><font size="3">Mercury Summer Stock's
“Shrek” A Lively Journey Full of Surprises<br></font><font size="3"><span style="font-weight:normal">By
MARJORIE PRESTON<br></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-weight:normal">Brava!</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in"><font color="#000080"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.marjoriepreston.com/brava"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-weight:normal">www.marjoriepreston.com/brava</span></font></a></u></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-weight:normal">
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="font-weight:normal"><br></span></font><font size="3"><br> Mercury
Summer Stock's current musical production, “Shrek,” with music by
Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, based on
the DreamWorks film and book by William Steig, tells the tale of an
ogre who embarks on a quest that will change the lives of many. A
talented group, principals and supporting cast all, make “Shrek”
a lively journey full of surprises.</font></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0in"><font size="3"> The green-skinned ogre
Shrek (Pat Ciamacco) lives alone in a swamp believing that “real
life is grossly overrated” until Lord Farquaad of Duloc (Brian
Marshall) banishes so many of his citizens that they begin to show up
in Shrek's neighborhood. On his journey to rescue a princess (in
order to get Lord Farquaad off his back), he actually begins to make
friends, including a Donkey on the run (Justin Woody) and the
Princess Fiona (Sara Masterson), thrilled to be rescued from a tower
after thirty years, even if it is by an ogre.</font></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0in"><font size="3"> Ciamacco's Scottish
accent is wonderful, he is confident, pleasant and humorous to watch.
Ciamacco gets his moment to show his singing skills in “Who I'd
Be,” the first act closer. Marshall brings a sly, delicious quality
to his short-statured Farquaad, with innovative choreography in his
introductory number in the first act in a strong section between
Woody's toe-tapping “Don't Let Me Go” and Masterson's skillful
mood-changing in “I Know It's Today.”</font></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0in"><font size="3"> Every number involving
Woody is peppy and infused with soul, including “Travel Song.”
His comic abilities are sharp. Masterson shows great versatility in
the plum role of Fiona, including comic timing, great pipes and tap
skills in her cheerful ode to daybreak, “Morning Person.” The
major characters all come from storybook-bad childhoods, but the
audience can sympathize and laugh at their foibles. In fact, the
schadenfreude is one of the guilty pleasures of enjoying this show.</font></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0in"><font size="3"> Director and
Choreographer Pierre-Jacques Brault has assembled a wonderful cast
and slipped in a few Cleveland references for fun. His hard work on
the choreography shines most in Farquaad's introductory piece and
“Morning Person.” Set Design by Falcon Productions uses
multifunctional rolling, rotating and hinged wooden set pieces
painted tastefully to depict the grass and rocks of a swamp or high
castle walls. </font>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0in"><font size="3"> “Shrek” plays at
Mercury Summer Stock, Regina Auditorium at Notre Dame College, 1857
South Green Road in South Euclid. Performances are Thursday-Saturday
at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. through June 29. For tickets
visit </font><font color="#000080"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.mercurysummerstock.com/"><font size="3">www.mercurysummerstock.com</font></a></u></span></font><font size="3">
or call (216) 771-5862. Parental guidance is suggested due to some
crude humor and general naughtiness.</font></p>
<br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Best,<br>mp<br><br><font face="Arial" lang="0">Marjorie Preston, President<b><br>
Marjorie Preston PR<br>
</b><a href="http://www.marjoriepreston.com/" target="_blank">http://www.marjoriepreston.com/</a><br>
Specializing in small business, arts and non-profit clients<i><br>
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