The Children’s Theatre of Virginia Brings the Regional Premiere of
Shrek, The Musical to the Richmond Stage
Virginia Repertory Theatre opens their biggest show in the Children’s
season, Shrek, The Musical on Friday, March 14 at the Children’s Theatre of Virginia at
Willow Lawn, 1601 Willow Lawn Drive. The show will run through April 27, 2014 and is
based on the Academy Award-winning film, Shrek. With book and lyrics by David
Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, the timeless fairytale of rescued damsel in
distress takes many fun and quirky twists as the green and stinky swampland ogre
saves Princess Fiona and wins her love. The show lasts about two hours with
intermission and is best enjoyed by children and adults alike 5 years and older.
Director Robin Arthur is excited to be working in her hometown with such an incredibly
positive, talented, and fun group of people. “What an exciting and joyful experience! We
hope that audiences have as much fun as we are having during the rehearsal process.”
Arthur’s directing credits for Virginia Rep include Honk!, Beauty and the Beast and Into
the Woods.
Costume designs by Elizabeth Weiss Hopper (Quilters, The Full Monty, James Joyce’s
The Dead for Virginia Rep) will transform actors into famous fairy tale creatures. Set
designer Brian C. Barker (Tartuffe, Music Man, Spring Awakening, for Virginia Rep) and
lighting designer Lynne M. Hartman (Madeline’s Christmas, Seussical, Honk! for
Virginia Rep) are well known for their design talents on the Virginia Rep stage. Virginia
Rep is delighted to welcome back Music Director, Sandy Dacus (Spring Awakening,
Madeline’s Christmas, Sound of Music for Virginia Rep) for this lively musical.
Jason Marks, a recipient of the Theresa Pollak Prize for Excellence in the Arts in
Theater (Richmond Magazine) returns to Virginia Rep in the role of Shrek. Marks has
been seen on the Virginia Rep stage in numerous productions including The Producers,
My Fair Lady (RTCC nomination), Seussical and Guys & Dolls (RTCC Award, Best
Supporting Actor in a Musical). Ronnie Brown, a two-time RTCC Award Nominee for
Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in a Play is returning to the Willow Lawn stage for
the third time in the role of Donkey. Virginia Rep credits include The Velveteen Rabbit
and Scorched Earth.
Recently seen at Virginia Rep as Shelby in Steel Magnolias at Hanover Tavern, Aly
Wepplo returns as the feisty Princess Fiona. Other Virginia Rep credits include
Seussical and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Virginia Rep is happy to
welcome Robert King as Lord Farquaad to his first production at the Children’s Theatre
of Virginia.
Student Matinees
Student matinees are available through April 25 and will take place at 10:30 a.m.
Ticket Information
Box Office 804-282-2620
www.virginiarep.org
Full Price Tickets: $30
Discounted Group Rates available.
Direction & Design
Direction Robin Arthur
Set Design Brian C. Baker
Lighting Design Lynne M. Hartman+
Costume Design Elizabeth Weiss Hopper
Music Director Sandy Dacus
Stage Management Wendy Vandergrift
Cast List
Shrek Jason Marks*
Donkey Ronnie Brown
Fiona Aly Wepplo
Lord Farquaad Robert King
Pinnochio Matt Shofner
Young Fiona Ellie Wilson
Teen Fiona Hanna Clinton
Ensemble Brianne Chin, Keydron Dunn, Brent Gallahan, Ashlee
Heyward, Audra Honaker, David Janeski, Carolyn
Meade, Sara Meinhofer, Todd Patterson, Mark
Persinger, Joe Winters, Hannah Zold
+Member of USA United Scenic Artists: local 829
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage
managers in the U.S.A.
Full bios can be found at www.virginiarep.org.
About Virginia Repertory Theatre
Virginia Repertory Theatre, located in Richmond, VA, combines the talents and
strengths of two nonprofit companies that shared facilities, resources, and management
teams for over a decade. Now the heritages of Barksdale Theatre (founded in 1953)
and Theatre IV (founded in 1975) live on in their new form, as Central Virginia’s leading
professional theatre company. Virginia Rep presents national caliber productions of the
great dramas, comedies, and musicals including classics, contemporary works, and
world premieres, always seeking to demonstrate the unique power of theatre to engage,
enthrall, educate, and inspire. Productions are staged at four distinct venues: the Sara
Belle and Neil November Theatre and Theatre Gym at the downtown Virginia Rep
Center, Virginia Rep’s Children’s Theatre of Virginia located at Willow Lawn, and
Virginia Rep’s Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern.
