Stage Door Productions is bringing “Shrek Jr.” to the stage at Fort Dodge Middle School next week. Shows are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.

The musical is directed by Alyssa Sparks and Megan Cassady, with Emily Eastwood directing choreography.

The musical is based off of the 2001 animated feature film “Shrek.”

“The fairytale characters take over his swamp because they were kicked out by Lord Farquaad and Shrek just wants his swamp back,” Sparks said.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Owen Hamlow plays Lord Farquaad in StageDoor Production's "Shrek Jr."

Shrek, played by Aaron Amhof, begrudgingly teams up with the annoying Donkey, played by Mikeal Campbell, to travel to the kingdom of Duloc to confront Lord Farquaad. Lord Farquaad, played by Owen Hamlow, agrees to help return Shrek’s swamp to its former peacefulness in exchange for Shrek journeying to rescue Princess Fiona from the highest room in the tallest tower so that Farquaad can marry the princess, played by Briley Singer.

“Shrek is a recognizable, fun show,” Sparks said. “The musical is even funnier.”

and chorus features about 75 local students, ranging from kindergarten through recent high school graduates.

“The kids are doing a crazy phenomenal job,” Sparks said. “They have been really working hard.”

This is the first kids musical Stage Door has produced since the COVID pandemic started two years ago.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Aaron Amhof plays Shrek in StageDoor Productions' "Shrek Jr." The musical opens next week.

“We’ve been trying to do this show since 2020,” Sparks said.

Tickets are available at Hy-Vee or online at https://www.stagedoorfd.org/buy-tickets. Adult tickets are $15 and children’s tickets are $5.

“Just come see the show,” Sparks said. “It’s going to be awesome and the kids are doing an awesome job.”

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
The cast of "Shrek Jr." perform for residents at Friendship Haven on Wednesday evening.