I think someone in Shrek cast a spell on me.   I'm always amazed at the Camden Hills musicals, but I tend to lean toward the shows  like Les Mis, Phantom, West Side Story- with the songs that make you cry.   Well, at least the comedies are often brightly lit and easier to photograph, so I thought this year would be a couple of quick trips to the Strom and I'd be done.  But then the spell took hold and kept dragging me back to see the latest transformations.  So who did it?

shrek Which of these characters looks trustworthy? 

chrhs shrek

This little Ogre seems friendly enough. chrhs shrek The Mad Hatter with her real eyes closed chrhs shrek It's all in the dancing details If you think the costumes were rented, think again.  Only the green prosthetics for Shrek and the Ogre Family were rented. chrhs shrek A deflated pig plays some classical music while waiting for her next scene

chrhs shrek One of the young Fionas prepares her wig chrhs shrek Shrek cools off during a dress rehearsal break chrhs shrek A rabbit in the mirror, with Terri Harper Ralston, a stage hair/ make-up artist who shares her time and talent with students chrhs shrek The rabbit without the mirror chrhs shrek

Fiona, center, is the female lead this year.  But look at the ensemble members.  This group includes Christine from Phantom (left), Maria from West Side Story(right), and all 5 have been in featured roles and/or soloists in concerts both for Camden Hills and other performing arts groups in the area.  Listen up when that ensemble sings! chrhs shrek If you don't know what this photo has to do with Shrek, look below shrek The dragon has come a long way in the past week.  See the previous post for a view inside the belly of the beast.  Now look under the dragon.  Then look under the stage.  All the adults are professional musicians from the community. This year there are also 2 students in the pit. shrek The donkey, who leads the show along with Shrek and Fiona, finds a snack onstage

So, who cast that spell?  It's a mystery, like all good fairy tales.  Words may fail and there's always that swamp to cross,  but if Donkey can do it, we can too.  It turns out to be a good year for a show full of laughs and the belief in a big, beautiful world.

Production photos coming here soon.