MLT Juniors Stage Lively ‘Shrek’ Adaptation

Musical showcases talents of theater’s youngest participants

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams
The Tube City Almanac
December 04, 2025
Posted in: Entertainment

In the foreground, Leah Morgan as Gingy gets feisty with Nie’Zhay Jefferson as Lord Farquaad. (All photos by Bonnijean Cooney Adams for Tube City Almanac)

The musical version of the tale of an outcast ogre, his faithful friend, and their adventures with others along the way to rescue a princess soon will grace the stage at McKeesport Little Theater.

Opening Friday night, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. and running weekends through Dec. 14, “Shrek the Musical Jr.” is based on the DreamWorks Animation film and Broadway musical.

“Since Dorothy Fallows retired from the Juniors program, Lori (Stramaski) and I are now co-chairs of the committee, which automatically makes us involved,” said Amy Majewski, who produces “Shrek” with Stramaski.

“With it being our first musical without Dorothy, we decided to do a show we were both familiar with. Also, with the program growing every year, we needed a show with a lot of great characters. ‘Shrek’ seemed like a great option to cover both,” she said.

McKeesport Little Theater Juniors veteran Gunner Firmstone landed the title role in the musical, but he said he had Lord Farquaad in mind when he auditioned.

The eighth-grader portrayed Olaf in “Frozen Jr.” and was a young newsboy in the mainstage production of “Newsies,” among other shows.

Once the cast list was posted, he said he started preparing to portray Shrek by watching all the movies and productions he could find, then adapted what he saw for his own interpretation.

“I’ve been trying to embody his arrogance, sarcasm, and tone to the emotional scenes,” Firmstone said.

“My favorite part? I’d say the whole show,” he said. “But if I have to pick just one part, I’d say ‘Travel Song,’ because it is just a fun part to perform.”

Gunner Firmstone as Shrek and Summer Ura as Fiona get to know each other better as the Three Blind Mice give some advice. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

That’s when Shrek and Donkey and a host of fairytale characters are on their way to rescue Princess Fiona and bring her to Lord Farquaad, who seeks to better his position in life by marrying into a royal family.

For those planning to attend the show, Firmstone said although the storyline may be familiar, “always expect something different.”

Summer Ura landed the part of Fiona, exactly who she had in mind when she auditioned.

The eighth-grader has appeared in previous Juniors and school productions, including “Frozen,” “SpongeBob,” and the middle school production of “Moana Jr.” last school year.

“I knew what she was like,” Ura said of Fiona, “but I took parts from each show and the movies and made it mine.”

When asked if she did anything special to develop the bond between Fiona and Shrek, Ura said Firmstone is a nice person to work with and their character development evolved naturally.

“The princess at first appears to be very proper, but the ogre part of her can be herself around Shrek,” she said.

The end, when Fiona discovers who she really is and that what she looks like doesn’t matter, is her favorite part, Ura said.

Summer Ura as Fiona meets Gunner Firmstone as Shrek for the first time when he rescues her. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

“I wanted Donkey when I auditioned,” Juniors veteran Nie’Zhay Jefferson said with a laugh. “But Farquaad is fun to do, and I’m glad now that I got it. It’s a win-win.”

Part of the challenge in playing Farquaad, as is referenced in many of the jokes told by Shrek and others, is his short stature. While that’s not a problem in a film, the stage actor has to adapt.

Jefferson’s bright red-and-gold, elegant costume includes pads so she can “walk” around on her knees to maintain the correct diminished height throughout the show.

“My costume is so comfortable,” she said. “And I get to be center stage all the time because I’m so short. That works because I’m really arrogant and can be free.

“My favorite part is when Dragon (Taytum Jones) comes out,” Jefferson said. “She’s so dynamic.”

Jefferson, a high school senior, has appeared in numerous Juniors and McKeesport Area High School productions. “I was really excited when I heard we were doing ‘Shrek,’ “ she said. “It has a really interactive ensemble part. I think the Juniors program here is so amazing.”

While her time with the Juniors is ending, Jefferson said she definitely would consider doing some of the adult shows.

Nakaylee Watson as Donkey has an unexpected relationship with Shrek. Asked how she approached that, Watson said, “I walked up to him (Firmstone) at one rehearsal and I was looking at funny Shrek photos from the movie. Our friendship just went on from there.

“The really important part is socializing with new people, which is sometimes hard, but you have to look at the similarities you have,” she added.

“My personal favorite Donkey song is “Make A Move” because there are a bunch of funny things that I personally love,” she said. “It’s always the funny parts that are the best.”

"Shrek the Musical Jr." Cast and Crew

Gunner Firmstone as Shrek
Summer Ura as Fiona
Nakaylee Watson as Donkey'
Nie'Zhay Jefferson as Lord Farquaad
Peyton Dudley as Pinnochio
Leah Morgan as Gingy
Taytum Jones as Dragon

Fairytale Ensemble

Big Bad Wolf -- Taylor Larson
Pig 1 -- Alexa Riggs
Pig 2 -- Camron Batorick-Carter
Pig 3 -- Alayna Palochko
Wicked Witch -- Edie Navaroli
Peter Pan -- Brayden Hoover
Ugly Duckling -- Maziah Martin
Mama Bear -- Sydney Hrinda
Papa Bear -- Lamont Johnson
Baby Bear -- Mya Mclean
Young Fiona/Fairy -- Lydia O'Grady
Teen Fiona/Fairy -- Monroe Frantz

Duloc Ensemble

Storyteller 1 -- Abigail Seifert
Storyteller 2 -- Addison Seifert
Storyteller 3 -- Jurnee Argyle
Mama Ogre -- Onalisa Smith
Papa Ogre/Knight 4/Bishop -- Lucas Alexa
Little Ogre/Dwarf -- Logan Margliotti
Captain of the Guards -- Alexander Bowling
Puss in Boots -- Arya Hoover
Knight 1 -- Ellie Branca
Knight 2 -- Amira Wilcher
Knight 3 -- Khyla Makenith
Pied Piper -- Mireya Berube
Duloc Ensemble -- Megan Bowytz
Duloc Ensemble -- Olivia Haskins

Director/Choreographer -- Michelle Roque Alvarez
Producers -- Amy Majewski and Lori Stramaski
Stage Manager -- Elin Nowading
Music Director -- Lisa Harrier
Drummer -- Sam Berman
Bassist -- Anthony Catanzarite
Guitarist -- Valentino Vazquez
Lights/Sound -- Jess Freuden

Originally published December 04, 2025.

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