Ridge High thespians once again demonstrated their enormous talent and love for the theater at last night's performance of "Once Upon a One Act, An Evening of Fairy Tales," at the Ridge Performing Arts Center. There will be a second performance tonight at 7 p.m.

The show is a collection of comic vignettes, followed by an abridged version of "Shrek the Musical." What was particularly remarkable was that all of the selections were student directed. There were no elaborate sets, fancy program or well stocked orchestra pit. It was all about the fine talent on stage and some excellent costuming (courtesy of Jaye Barre and a dedicated parent, Mrs. Klinger).

"Once Upon A One Act" was developed and performed by students from the Ridge High Drama Club and Theater I and II classes. As friends, families and other audience members settled themselves in their seats, you could feel the buzz. The word was out that it would be a fun evening.

And fun it was. The first three comic acts were clever and cute. The Flower Sisters, is a traditional Italian folk tale along the themes of the" temptation of the forbidden" and "giving the devil his due."

Disney Mom Support Group, written by Mo Gaffney and Kathy Najimy, featured a group therapy session of Disney-star moms griping about their offspring. Just to name a few, there were Betty White, mother of Snow White, Coral Clownfish, mother of Nemo, and Ethel Mermaid, mother of Ariel. The dialogue is wonderfully funny - listen carefully so as not to miss some of the one-liners and double entendres.

The third vignette, Final Dress Rehearsal, by Jack Frakes, portrays a group of ill prepared high school actors and a stressed out director preparing for the opening of Cinderella. Emily Clearly hams up the stage as the Evil Step Mother while the rest of cast aptly delivers their lines with true comic timing. (I had to love the part where the director confiscates all the phones.)

And then came the highlight of the evening, Shrek the Musical.  While almost everyone is familiar with Shrek from the popular movie series and many may have enjoyed the current Broadway production, last night's performance was top notch.

Jeff O'Donnell, as Shrek,  came on stage with all the presence, confidence and talent of a seasoned Broadway performer. Accompanying him in the major roles were Lauren Morra as Fiona and Peter Hughes as the hugely hysterical Donkey. The comfort these actors have on stage and their obviously well practiced talents are uncanny and a pleasure to view. The singing was faultless.

Adding to the high school cast were several younger performers in the parts of Young Fiona (Sydney Vollmar and Mary Bell) and Young Shrek (Ryan Margiotta and Cedrik Everaert).

Leah Horowitz provided the choreography, while piano and instrumental were provided by Ms. Dory of Liberty Corner, Wave Langston and David Stemmer. Overseeing all of last night's entertainment was Sean Baldwin, Ridge High's Theater Director. How rewarding it must be to work with so many gifted, hardworking, and theater-loving students!

Program:
The Flower Sisters, directed by Colin Day
Disney Mom Support Group, directed by Jeffrey Bassin
Final Dress Rehearsal, directed by Lauren McManemin
Shrek the Musical, directed by Shayna Stemmer & Christian Fentress

Ridge High Performing Arts Center
268 South Finely Ave.
June 4 & 5, 7:00 pm
Admission is Free, donations are appreciated