*New youth theater group in Medina to stage sold out production of “Shrek the Musical Jr.”* Everyone’s favorite family-friendly fractured fairytale, “Shrek the Musical Jr.,” comes to Medina, Ohio this weekend. The 60-minute youth oriented version is a Broadway musical adaptation of the Oscar-winning DreamWorks animated film. The production will be presented at the Medina County University Center located at 6300 Technology Lane. Public performances are July 17-19. *Unfortunately, the production is completely sold out.* Call (330) 899-7150 for more information. (Please note that the University of Akron does not endorse the goods and/or services described herein.) The production is directed by Nate Sayatovich and Ansley Valentine. Sayatovich works in the education department at Cleveland Play House, the recent recipient of the 2015 Regional Theatre Tony Award. Valentine is director of theatre at Northern Michigan University, and recently received the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Gold Medallion for his efforts to promote quality educational theatre across the country. Music direction is by Michelle Hujar; Elizabeth Ivanovic provides the choreography; and Donna Miller has built the costumes. In 2011 Valentine helped start a summer youth program at the Medina Performing Arts Center, and gained a following of families. Two years ago, that program became part of the Fred Hargrove Young Artists program. Valentine said, “Unfortunately, the Medina County Arts Foundation conducted a review of its programs and upcoming events and elected not to fund the summer portion of the program at a level consistent with previous years. To maintain the quality of the summer youth program, it became necessary to explore alternative options for a new home.” Support for a new venture came from many parents and the Highland Foundation. With their help, Valentine was able to quickly organize the production and provide an acting day camp at Highland High School. Northern Michigan University is producing the show this year, with plans underway to create a new organization. According to Sayatovich, “With the help of the Highland Foundation, the program was able to ‘land on its feet’. What sets us apart is our hands-on approach, an acceptance of all students no matter their ability, and a connection to a professional theater network that lets us stretch our resources and achieve an artistic, quality production youth theatre programs don't often have. Our level of participation has been great. The community has been very generous, and the show is now sold out.” “Shrek the Musical Jr.” features a cast of 50 elementary through high school age actors from Cuyahoga, Medina and Summit Counties. Leading this band of fairy tale creatures is Paul Cinko as Shrek; Alexcia Ambroz and Cameron Olin as Princess Fiona; Julian Everstijn as Donkey; and Addie Wisniewski as Lord Farquaad. The cast also includes Grace Allen, Bella Bailey, Nickolas Bailey, Hailey Baker, Ella Barberic, Brox Benesh, Logan Bowers, Elise Brenner, Gabriel Byrne, Makenna Byrne, Lauren Cusick, Nataley Davis, Olivya DeLuca, Tanner Demita, Emileo Fernandez, Chloe Galletti, Joe Goodman, Riley Hayes, Taylor Headrick, Kelsey Heichel, Brenna Holliday, Colin Horrigan, Wesley Howell, Jenna Hujar, Jocelyn Hujar, Ben Jackson, Gabby Jackson, Xayne Kachelein, Sid Kranz, Arden Lewis, Rebecca Marzloff, Abby McKee, Abigail Miller, Bailey Olin, Cameron Olin, Maggie O'Neill, Lauren Paulus, Rachel Pokelsek, Madison Schaner, Mollie Schooley, Erin Sharpe, Olivia Taylor, Morgan Trumpler, Abby Weyls, Charlotte Whitaker, Harper Wisniewski, and Jamie Zickefoose.