By Kira Hays / reporter
This April, fairy tales come to life as the Harbor Playhouse brings “Shrek the Musical” to the stage.
Much like the film, the audience follows Shrek as he goes on a quest to rescue a princess. Things get ugly when the unseemly ogre, also not a handsome prince, shows up to rescue the feisty Princess Fiona.
With his adorably annoying sidekick, Donkey, in tow, the mission is accomplished, but the princess turns out to have a secret that turns the fairy tale ending upside down.
Throw in a villain with a very short temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand … and his name is Shrek.
The Harbor Playhouse promises to transport the audience into the wonderful fairy tale land of “Shrek the Musical.”
Andrea Guzman, a communications major at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, said she auditioned for the musical because she hadn’t been in a show in over a year and thought this production would be a great show to get her back on the stage.
“Community theater here in Corpus is like my second family,” Guzman said. “I’ve made lifelong friends by being involved in it and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Guzman has been involved in productions at the Harbor Playhouse for many years. She was last seen in its production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” playing the role of Sally Brown. She plays multiple roles in “Shrek.”
“I am playing the Dragon, Fairy Godmother, one of Three Blind Mice, and also a dancing rat,” Guzman said.
Fairly new to the stage, Maurice Curran said he decided to audition for shows because it was on his bucket list. “My first audition ever was ‘A Christmas Carol’ in 2013,” Curran said. “I played John Scrooge and ensemble. That got my feet wet and when I got bitten by the bug.”
Curran will portray the role of Thelonius, the henchman of Lord Farquaad.
“Each role I try for is an attempt to push my own boundaries,” Curran said. “I would encourage everyone who wants to step outside the box to push their comfort zone and just do it.”
Curran, like Guzman, also keeps auditioning for plays because of the family atmosphere that comes with being a part of the Harbor Playhouse.
“One of the biggest stressors about auditions is that you want the part because you want to remain part of the family that is the Harbor Playhouse. Life is made up of experiences and we all have our own role to play.”
So join Guzman and Curran as they take the Harbor Playhouse to a faraway land April 11 through May 18. Showings are at 7:30 p.m.Fridays and Saturdays with 2 p.m. Sunday matinees on April 13, 27, May 4, 11 and 18.
For more information, call 888-SHOW or visit www.HarborPlayhouse.com.
