An Ogre’s quest: Heavier Than Air Family Theatre presents ‘Shrek The Musical’

Heavier Than Air Family Theatre presents "Shrek The Musical," the hilarious stage version of the Oscar-winning film, for six performances this spring.

March 16, 2015 5:41 pm
A true family cast makes classics come to life on stage at Green River College
A true family cast makes classics come to life on stage at Green River College

For the Reporter

Heavier Than Air Family Theatre presents “Shrek The Musical,” the hilarious stage version of the Oscar-winning film, for six performances this spring.

The show premiers at 7 p.m. Friday, March 27 on the main campus of Green River College, 12401 SE 320th St., Auburn

Performances continue Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday through April 4.

In this musical adventure, everyone’s favorite ogre finds himself on a life-changing journey with a wisecracking Donkey and feisty princess. Shrek’s travels take him from swamps to castles encountering everything from a short tempered royal to a cookie with attitude, a band of fairytale misfits, and a fiercely flirtatious Dragon. Along the way he learns that different can be wonderful and friendships are kindled.

As Shrek, the story’s unlikely hero, Patrick Roduin’s return to the stage also has been an interesting journey. More than 20 years ago he planned to pursue a career in theatre, and then as often happens, life came along and set him on a different course.

Roduin works for a local cabinet company and laughingly admits he’s a drafter by day, ogre by night. A few years ago his son enrolled in Heavier Than Air’s musical theatre camp, and attending that performance reignited his passion for the stage.

The entire Roduin clan now enjoys performing with Heavier Than Air Family Theatre.

Other families have embraced the chance to perform.

Princess Fiona (Megan Black) helps direct teens in the summer camp, and her children have also performed in several Heavier Than Air main stage productions. Gingy (Windy Foster) and Pinocchio (Madison Foster) are a mother and daughter team that came to the playhouse after seeing an audition notice for “Annie” in 2001; they were cast and have since been part of the company along with three other family members. Peter Pan (Lanee’ Lameyer) attended camp as a child and has made her way back to the theatre with her mother, who is a costumer.

For ticket information and summer camp details, call 253-833-9111, ext. 2400, or visit www.heavierthanair.com.