‘I’m a believer’
Shrek: The Musical wraps 2018 Quick As A Wink Theatre season
Quick As A Wink Theatre’s production of Shrek: The Musical earlier this month had children and adults alike mesmerized.
With about 50 to 60 people involved in the show, Jeannie Myles, who co-produced the show with David Myles, said it was quite an undertaking — but well worth the effort.
She said while the production wasn’t the theatre group’s largest undertaking, it was a labour of love.
“It’s not the biggest show that Quick As A Wink has put on, in terms of cast, but I believe it’s been the biggest undertaking of a show, just in terms of everything having to come together with the costumes and the makeup and the sets and the props. I’ve been involved in a lot of different shows and this has just been an amazing experience,” she said.
Steve Roe, the organist and choir director at Windsor United Church, took on the challenging role of Shrek, the lovable ogre, while Kate Hubley, who recently graduated university, was his love interest, Fiona. Alan Slipp, who is no stranger to Quick As A Wink Theatre’s stage, played the exuberant Donkey, Jemita Aucoin was Dragon and Isaac Payne portrayed the larger-than-life Lord Farquaad.
Phantom Effects was hired to mold Roe’s head to create a realistic Shrek prosthetic. Before each show, Roe was in the makeup chair for about an hour.
“It took them about 45 minutes to an hour to get him all set up and then afterwards, it took about 45 minutes to get it back off of him,” said Myles of Roe’s transformation.
On the days with a matinee and evening performance, it wasn’t uncommon to see Roe remain in costume.
“He was Shrek from about 1 p.m. until about 10 p.m. when he had it (taken) off, the poor guy,” said Myles, noting how well Shrek, and the entire cast, was received by the audience.
The matinee performances garnered more people than usual, with upwards of 300 people watching the shows in the afternoon.
“We didn’t hit sell out but we had really, really big crowds, especially the matinees.”
Myles, who has been involved with Quick As A Wink Theatre for about three years, said the feedback has been amazing.
The show ran Oct. 12-14 and Oct. 19-20.
Upcoming shows and events
Myles said she’s hoping the excitement will continue when Quick As A Wink Theatre begins promoting its upcoming fundraiser.
The seventh biannual Winkie Awards Gala will be held Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. at King’s-Edgehill. The ceremony, which features a silent auction, celebrates and thanks the people who volunteer their time and talent. The fundraiser will also feature performances from shows held in the last two years, which includes Grease, The Music Man, A Christmas Carol, The Drowsy Chaperone, Seussical the Musical and Shrek: The Musical. Tickets cost $20.
Myles said she’s already looking forward to the shows Quick As A Wink Theatre will be bringing to Windsor’s stage in 2019.
“We have a really good line up next year,” said Myles.
In January, the non-profit, charity community group is hosting Oliver! and in March, they are putting on Baskerville, a Sherlock Holmes mystery.
“In June, we’re going to be doing Legally Blond and then in October, we’re doing Dracula, which I’m super excited about,” said Myles.