Celebrating its 20th season this year, BEAT Children’s Theatre is excited to present “Shrek, The Musical, JR,” by David Lindsay-Abaire, with music by Jeanine Tesori. This February 20 – 22, BEAT actors will take the stage with this hilarious, touching and joyful story of Shrek and his fairy tale friends on a journey to find love, courage and self-acceptance. Performed by local actors ages nine to 17, this 60-minute musical is perfect for audiences of all ages.
This delightful tale kicks off BEAT’s 2026 season as part of their anniversary party. Executive Director, Bree Beal, says, “Shrek is a beloved story by children and parents alike. We all know the characters and songs so well. And we all cheer (or tear up) at the end when love triumphs and everyone celebrates how perfect we all are, exactly as we are!”
These themes are important to BEAT’s mission as they look back on 20 years in Central Oregon of helping young people find themselves through theater. Started in 2006 by Mary Kilpatrick and Howard Schor, BEAT Children’s Theatre serves thousands of children in the Central Oregon community every year through plays, camps, in-school programs and community partnerships. Says Beal, “We are now at the amazing place where some of our BEAT graduates are bringing their own children to participate in theater—on stage and in the audience.”
Nine weeks of music, choreography and blocking rehearsals are what’s needed to pull together a production of this size. Beal is co-directing “Shrek, The Musical, JR ” with teen director, Addy Johnson. Johnson started with BEAT when she was just seven years old as a young performer, and ten years later she is skillfully stepping into the director chair. Beal and Johnson are supported by musical director, Barbara Rich, and choreographers Ann Boyd and Jo Maurer. Maurer also began with BEAT as a young actor and now at the age of 15 is ready for the adult responsibilities of being a choreographer.
And what would Duloc—the town where Shrek take place—be without amazing sets and costumes? A team of talented builders, painters, costumers and glue-gun wizards are putting their talents to good use while creating the colorful, joyful fairy tale world. Audiences will be treated to a visual spectacle as well as a musical one!
Recently, as part of their promotions for the production, BEAT was invited to Root Down Acres, a local family farm in Bend, to take some photos with their charming mini-donkeys, Molly and Little Gem. The cast and crew were ecstatic to spend some time with these loving, warm creatures.
“Shrek, The Musical, JR” will be onstage Feb 20-22 at Summit High Auditorium. For more information or to purchase tickets: beatchildrenstheatre.org.
This article appears in Bend Nest Spring 2026.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
