Seeing green? Shrek’s everywhere!

There is an all-out blitz now until December 22, when Shrek — the Musical comes to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert.  This is the biggest show of the year!  Four 53-foot semi truck trailers will arrive early in the morning on the 22nd to unload the show and prepare it for a 2 p.m. matinee, followed by a 7:30 evening performance. A crew of nearly 60 people will be required to put the show together and have it “Broadway ready”.

Shrek — the Musical is a complete touring Broadway show that is literally fun for the whole family. It is not just a kids’ show.  As a matter of fact, although kids will thoroughly enjoy it, adults may enjoy it as much, if not more.

Most are familiar with the story of Shrek because of the popular Shrek movies put out over the past 10 years or so by DreamWorks. Admit it or not, we adults really enjoyed the story and the humor of Shrek. The Live on Stage version is filled with outstanding scenery, costumes, special effects, humor, music, dance and a love story that the entire family will enjoy together for years to come.

It’s really ironic that we were able to schedule this performance at the NPAC three days before Christmas because it provides a great time for the family to create some of those Christmas memories of doing things together by attending a live Broadway Musical Theater show right here in Van Wert. College kids coming home for the holidays?  Bring them to Shrek — they’ll love it!

The full stage will be used (and needed) as well as the entire pit for an 18-piece live orchestra. With two shows, we are hopefully able to accommodate most everyone who would like to come.  It is on a Saturday and is three days before Christmas, so you still have time to prepare for the big day. Tickets are available online 24/7 at www.npacvw.org or at the box office in person or by phone from noon-4 p.m.

This Friday, the box office will be closed and then re-open at 6:30 p.m., an hour before the Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Show at 7:30 p.m. I wish I could encourage you to come to this outstanding Christmas show with the Oak Ridge Boys, but we have been sold out for over a month. The Oaks will perform all their big hits in the first half and then turn to Christmas music in the second half.  It’s sure to get us off to a memorable beginning to the Christmas season.

Just a few tickets remain for the Osmond Brothers Christmas concert on Thursday, December 13.  Hurry and we might fit you in for this fun Holiday concert with some of the most well known family performers of all time: the Osmond Brothers!

The Messiah chorus is in full swing now, with two rehearsals under our belt for the Sunday night, December 9, performance at First United Methodist Church in Van Wert.  It gets under way at 7 p.m. and is free to the public, with a free-will offering accepted.  Watch the news for an announcement of the soloists coming to town to share in this meaningful and memorable performance of Christmas as told by the Holy Scriptures through Handel’s Messiah.

In the meantime, I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving.  May we all be filled with family, fun, football (Go, Cowboys), food and especially thanksgiving for God’s rich blessings.

FINÉ.