- December 5, 2025
Rafael Soto stars in the musical as Shrek. Photo by Paige Wilson
Michelle Roy as Princess Fiona sings after Rafael Soto as Shrek saves her from her tower guarded by a dragon. Photo by Paige Wilson
Michael Sheehan as Lord Farquaad entertains the crowd. Photo by Paige Wilson
Princess Fiona as a young girl, teenager and adult — played by Samantha Berkowitz, Lauren Januszkiewicz and Michelle Roy, respectively — sing together in the tower. Photo by Paige Wilson
Lord Farquaad, played by Michael Sheehan, tortures a gingerbread man for information about Princess Fiona's location. Photo by Paige Wilson
Matthew Eaton as Donkey, Rafael Soto as Shrek and Michelle Roy as Princess Fiona belt out "Who I'd Be" to close Act 1. Photo by Paige Wilson
Rafael Soto as Shrek pushes away Matthew Eaton as Donkey. "I've just always had an affinity for acting, and I really love the art," Eaton said. "I really want to be an actor when I grow up." Photo by Paige Wilson
Pinocchio and other fairy tale creatures arrive at Shrek's swamp. Photo by Paige Wilson
Lord Farquaad, played by Michael Sheehan, sings in Act 1. Photo by Paige Wilson
Young Shrek, played by Rachel Kopp, frightens townspeople. Photo by Paige Wilson
Shrek, played by Rafael Soto, sings while the live pit plays from the audience. Photo by Paige Wilson
The happy people of Duloc sing. Photo by Paige Wilson
Matthew Eaton as Donkey, Rafael Soto as Shrek and Michelle Roy as Princess Fiona belt out "Who I'd Be" to close Act 1. Photo by Paige Wilson
Michelle Roy sings as Princess Fiona. Photo by Paige Wilson
Mama and Papa Ogre, played by Sara Husk and Chris Hefferon, sing to young Shrek, played by Rachel Kopp. Photo by Paige Wilson
Michelle Roy adds her final touches of makeup for her role as Princess Fiona before the dress rehearsal. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ogres are like onions, according to the beast of an ogre himself, Shrek. Sure, they can be stinky and might make you cry, but they also have layers. You peel one layer back and another one reveals itself.
Matanzas High School’s Performing Arts Department added another layer to its spring show “Shrek The Musical” by incorporating 20 talented students in a live pit conducted by MHS percussion teacher Jared Allen. The musical is directed by Noel Bethea, with musical guidance from Jens Oliva, MHS chorus teacher. For four performances, a cast and crew of 90 students will take the stage and set the scene of Shrek’s swamp and tell his journey in saving Princess Fiona.
ITMS chorus students will join the MHS cast. Math teachers Alison Winfree and Amanda Cypert assisted with costumes and directing, respectively. Students from Vinnie Oliveri's building construction classes designed and assembled the five sets, including a 6-foot-tall princess tower.
Junior Rafael Soto is starring in his first lead role as Shrek. He said it takes him about two hours to apply his green makeup and layer on his costume.
“I was a little iffy about it at first, but then I watched the musical, and I was like ‘Oh my gosh, this show is great,’” Soto said. “Then I was like, ‘You know what? I think I’d be a really good Shrek.’ So I auditioned for Shrek, and here I am.”
Senior Michelle Roy is taking on her first role ever as Princess Fiona. She said being a part of something bigger than herself was what drew her into the theater program this year.
“At the beginning of senior year, I made a bucket list, and I said that I would audition for the musical,” Roy said. “And I was originally going to audition for a dance part, but then I thought, ‘It’s my senior year; I may as well go for it.’”
