Tag Archives: Shrek

He’s mean and green: Kentwood teacher takes on role as Shrek

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Kentwood teacher Scott Mellema is Shrek in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s “Shrek the Musical.”

He is the swamp-dwelling ogre who only wants to be left alone but has become adored by generations.

 

Now after four animated features and a Tony-nominated musical, Shrek and his crew are moving into the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre for a two-week run of “Shrek the Musical,” June 1 – 17.

 

Heading up the cast is East Kentwood High School teacher Scott Mellema who portray’s Shrek. Mellema is the head of the theater department at East Kentwood High School along with teaching English. He has participated in a number of shows serving as director for Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s “Les Miserables” and “Avenue Q” and director for Actors’ Theatre’s “Chess.”

 

Based on cartoonist Will Steig’s book “Shrek!” and the 2001 DreamWorks movie of the same title, the musical follows Shrek as he is made an orphan by his parents and finds a place of his own in the swamp only to have it invaded by a cast of familiar fairytale characters. The reason being is that Lord Farquaad has cast out all such characters from his town. So Shrek makes a deal with Lord Farquaad and sets out with his faithful steed, Donkey, to find a princess for the Lord to marry, but who captures the princess’s heart may surprise everyone.

 

The show is recommended for children ages 8 and up. Performances are Wednesday – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 – $37. For more information, visit grct.org or call 222-6650.

Shrek, Kung Fu Panda join Grand Rapids Symphony for an animated evening

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By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk

Grand Rapids Symphony

 

The tales told in films from DreamWorks Animation are some of the best in contemporary cinema.

 

An unexpected friendship between a hapless, young Viking and a dragon; a surprising romance between an ogre and a princess; and the unexpected adventures of animals who have spent their entire life in New York’s Central Park Zoo, suddenly thrust back into their native habitat, all are told in How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek and Madagascar.

 

But the drama of the Bridge scene in Kung Fu Panda or the intensity of the Calling the Guardians in Rise of the Guardians wouldn’t be as dramatic or intense without the music illuminating the action.

 

As good as it is to see in the theater, it’s even better when the music is LIVE.

 

Justin Freer
Justin Freer

DreamWorks Animation and CineConcerts bring DreamWorks Animation in Concert to Grand Rapids for one-night only at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, in DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW.

 

Guest conductor Justin Freer leads the Grand Rapids Symphony in a live performance of favorite moments from some of DreamWorks Animation’s most beloved films.

 

“DreamWorks has brought such delight to families around the globe with their vibrant characters and adventurous stories,” said Freer, President of CineConcerts as well as Producer/Conductor of DreamWorks Animation in Concert. “What carries us through these charismatic experiences is the inspired and fitting music.  To be able to showcase the music in a movie-like environment is an entertainment memory we hope lasts forever.”

 

kung-fu-panda-dreamworks-animation-in-concertEnjoy years of inspired animation and iconic music scores by Hans Zimmer, Harry Gregson-Williams, John Powell, Alexandre Desplat, Alan Silvestri, Danny Elfman and many others.  Relive moments from Puss in Boots, Monsters vs. Aliens, The Croods and Mr. Peabody and Sherman as scenes from the films are projected in HD onto the big screen, and the Grand Rapids Symphony does the rest.

 

DreamWorks Animation Live Entertainment Head Eric Stevens says, “We are excited to bring the stunning music of our composers to life on stage to be showcased in this great and fun event for music and movie fans of all ages.”

 

The studio has released a total of 32 feature films, including sequels for films such as Shrek, and How to Train Your Dragon.

 

Tickets for DreamWorks Animation in Concert start at $18 and are available at the GRS ticket office, weekdays 9 a.m. -5 p.m. at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616-454-9451, ext. 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.)

 

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place box office, weekdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. or on the day of the concert beginning two hours prior to the performance. Tickets also may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.