MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Youth Theatre (“MY Theatre”) will present Shrek, the Musical, Jr. on the stage of the Renaissance Theatre March 27, 28, and 29 as a part of the Mechanics Bank Education Series. Performances will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Dauphne Maloney directs the show with musical direction by Brian K. Nabors. Tickets are $15, general admission, and on sale now at the Renaissance Box Office, via phone, and online at www.rentickets.org.
A free sensory-friendly performance of Shrek, Jr. will be offered Saturday, March 28 at 1 p.m. for families of individuals on the autism spectrum and with other sensory processing needs. Interested individuals must register for their free tickets by visiting or calling the Renaissance Education Department at 419-522-2726, extension 212.
A limited number of tickets is available for the sensory-friendly performance, and no walk ups will be accommodated.
Set in a mythical, “once upon a time” sort of land, Shrek, Jr. is based upon Shrek: The Musical, and is the tale of a hulking green ogre who, after being mocked and feared his entire life, retreats to an ugly green swamp to exist in happy isolation.
Soon, he becomes an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess named Fiona who resists her rescue. Shrek. Jr. brings all the beloved characters known from the film to life on stage, including Lord Farquaad, Dragon, Pinocchio, and Gingy, as well as over a dozen other fairy tale misfits.
“Working with this group of young performers has been such a joy,” Maloney said. “Their enthusiasm, hard work, and sense of teamwork really bring Shrek Jr. to life. Through their commitment to the story and music, they share an important message about friendship, acceptance, and celebrating what makes each of us unique.”
About the Cast
The cast is composed of nearly 50 students between the ages of 8-18 from the following schools: Ashland, Clearfork, Crestview, Discovery – Mansfield, Foundation Academy, Homeschool, Lexington, Lucas, Madison, Mansfield, Mansfield Christian, Mansfield Classical Academy, Mansfield St. Peter’s, Mapleton, Nor-Wayne, Ohio Connections Academy, Ontario, Richland School of Academic Arts, and Shelby.
The cast is led by Aurelien von Ehrenkroak performing in the role of Shrek, with Josephine Foster portraying Princess Fiona.
The role of Shrek’s loveable sidekick, Donkey, will be played by Graycen Stevens; with the roles of the Fairy Tale Creatures portrayed by Kennadi Knipp (Gingy), Marco Armstrong (Pinocchio), Hudson Hamelink (Big, Bad Wolf), Estel Bramlage (Three Little Pigs), Mackenzie Wynn (Fairy Godmother), Jordyn Beasley (Peter Pan), Morgyn Beasley (Wicked Witch), Olivia Brumagin (Ugly Duckling), Marilena Kruer (Baby Bear), and Maddie Rice (Mama Bear) The cast also features Gabriel Anderson as the despicable Lord Farquaad, and Piper Donahue as the Dragon, with Alese Graves, Emersyn Henderson, and Steliana Kruer in the roles of the Storytellers. Additional performers will include: Jovin Baker, Sawyer Beasley, Evelyn Brumagin, Ruby Crum, Delta Davis, Emily Davis, Isaac Davis, Olivia Davis, Olive Evans, Evelyn Extine, Livia Foote, Elliott Hadsell, Emmy Haubiel, Charlise Hoskinson, Hunter Kersch, Eliana King, Toby Lux, Briner McCready, Evie McCready, Tori McCready, Saige Painley, Caroline Secrist, Taylor Slupski, Molly Spoon, Scarlett Swisher, Audrey Thian, Abby Thompson, Brooklyn VanValkenberg, and Halle Williams.
Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek, The Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, featuring songs by Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie; Caroline or Change), and book by David Lindsay-Abaire.
The production opened on Broadway in 2008, starring Brian d’Arcy James as Shrek and Sutton Foster as Princess Fiona. The show was nominated for eight Tony Awards and played on Broadway for nearly 500 performances before closing in 2010.
Sponsors & opportunities
This production is part of the Mechanics Bank Education Series with additional support from the Ohio Arts Council. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this special event and provide businesses with a unique opportunity to showcase their support of performing arts experiences for youth in our region.
For more information, contact Renaissance Development/Executive Affairs Coordinator Grace Reigel at grace@mansfieldtickets.com.
Ticket information
Tickets are just $15. Tickets for an exclusive performance with Sensory-Friendly accommodations are free and will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 1 p.m. For more information, contact the Renaissance Box Office or Renaissance Education Manager Dauphne Maloney at dauphne@mansfieldtickets.com.
For all other performances, tickets are available 24/7 at www.rentickets.org, by calling 419-522-2726, or by visiting the Renaissance Theatre Box Office at 138 Park Avenue West, Mansfield during their regular hours of operation, Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m.