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Dear Friends of the Theater,

It is with great pleasure we finally get to say: Welcome Back!

The pandemic's many months highlighted the delicate nature of what it takes to put on a live performance and all the pieces that must come together to allow the alchemy that is theatre to work its magic.  At last, we are ready to raise the curtain once again, but there is one final, vital ingredient needed: You.

We simply could not be here without you.  Our hallowed theatre has missed your laughs, your tears, your clapping hands, your mobile phone ringing in the middle of the most dramatic part of the show (so please remember to silence your mobile device) and even your crinkling of candy!  We have waited far to long to be with you again.

With that said, we are proud to present to you our Wayne Highlands Middle School Musical production of Shrek the Musical, Jr.

Shrek the Musical Jr, is a one-of-a-kind, hilarious fairy tale in which curses are reversed, monsters get the girls, donkeys and dragons find love, and princesses are beautiful in all shapes and sizes. Grumpy, gruff, green ogre Shrek lives alone in his swamp. The world is fearful and mocking of him, and he is more than happy to leave the world to itself, in turn. Suddenly, his hermit existence is thrown open, when a group of homeless fairy tale characters — Pinocchio, the Gingerbread Man, the Three Little Pigs, and more — burst upon his swamp, seeking refuge from the persecution of the cruel, vertically-challenged Lord Farquaad. Shrek seeks out Farquaad, who offers him a deal: if Shrek rescues the Princess Fiona (whom Farquaad wishes to marry for her crown), then Farquaad will ensure the return of Shrek’s swamp by returning the fairy tale creatures to their homes. In a desperate attempt to regain his swamp’s hermetic piece, Shrek enters the world for the first time in his life. He travels to Princess Fiona’s prison, rescues her from a fire-breathing dragon, and then – scariest of all – is forced to get to know the princess as he tries to bring her back to evil Farquaad to the determinedly unsocial ogre’s dismay, Fiona is very different from what he expected a princess to be. She may even provoke Shrek’s most novel experience yet: Love. Shrek the Musical Jr, transforms the contemporary children’s book and popular animated feature film into a stage musical that is sure to entertain you and make you a believer in happy endings for all.

We are grateful for our board of directors, administrators, teachers, students, parents, production assistants, stage crew members, community, and the generous support of our Season Sponsorships.  We hope that you will patronize these businesses in show of your support as they have supported the arts in our community!

The spirit of collaboration has always been a hallmark of Honesdale.  We believe, with our board of directors, that the Wayne Highlands School District is proud of our success in the area of the three “A’s” Academics, Arts, and Athletics.  Education is a lifelong endeavor. The arts provide opportunities to use valuable critical thinking skills and explore diverse perspectives. For sixty-two years, Honesdale High School Performing Arts have helped define our community both on stage and off.

Thank you for your attendance and support at this performance.  Now, sit back, relax, and get ready, as we bring the best of Broadway to you through our student musical productions.  Patrons like you make the Center’s presentations possible when the lights go down and the curtain goes up. 

Sincerely yours,

Scott D. Miller
Executive Director