Lincoln Elementary School transformed into a swamp of cheers, laughter, and fairy‑tale magic on Wednesday, June 3, as the school opened its sold‑out run of Shrek, Jr. The Musical.

Director Alma Ritter and Vocal Director Tina Sopko were supported by a dedicated volunteer team to prepare roughly 60 students for three nights of performances that blended humor, heart, and impressive stagecraft.

A highlight of the night came early: as the curtain rose, the audience cheered, proving that this story still has the power to pull a crowd “far, far away” for an evening of fun. And the evening did provide plenty of fun and plenty of laughs. Crown stress

balls were tossed into the cheering crowd during a scene that welcomed Lord Farquaad (Matthew Talarico) to the

stage. When Shrek, (Caden Johnston) informed Donkey (Jahmil Adams) that ogres are like “onions that have layers,”

Donkey responded that “onions stink and not everyone likes onions,” and the audience cheered its approval. Other leads included four Fionas:

Hannah Lewis (Young Fiona), Aria Costello (Teen Fiona), Cassidy Thomson (Princess

Fiona) and Jocelyn Fidler (Ogre Fiona).

Twenty-two additional cast members dressed in vibrant costumes filled the stage with color and personality: Isley Beers, Sophia Berrios, Melanie Burkholder, Nadia Cisek,

Lillian Fillman, Mila Fowler, Elia Hadinger, Munrowe Heffelfinger, Rasool Hyman, Ben

Hyneman, Rhian Nebhut, Sydney King, Gabriel Peterson, William Petrunak, Rocco Ruggeri,

Quincy Ruhf, Adriana Soriano, Jrdyn Stephens, Ezra Schreiner, Miles Lindsay-Susens, Violet

Svencer, and Matthew Talarico.

Additionally, chorus members lined both sides of the auditorium, creating an immersive musical experience. Their lineup included:

Thaddeus Amato, Isabella Budesheim, Lorraine Collins, McKenzee Cuomo, Kai Doak, Scott Durham, Kameryn Esterly, Lillian Fillman, Carmella Hanzlik, Eden Harris, Jace Roebuck, William Roman, Rowan Keenan, Richie Mastrolli, Maddox Miner, Landon Moll, Jace Brooklyn Sorrendino, Kyron Summa, Zayden Walkinshaw, Keiran Wigfall, Chadae Williams, and Carter Zimmerman.

The stage crew members, Julee Do, Adrianna Ferrara, Benjamin Kelly, Michael Negron,

Freddy Ritter, Parker Stratton and Anthony Upton made sure the props and equipment were

arranged carefully for the cast. Jimmy Ritter provided the sound crew for the event.

Additionally,volunteers manned tables of snacks and merchandise to support the production. Former Lincoln student Adrianna Ortiz made gifts to sell as a fundraiser. which her mother Brittany sold during the shows.