Shrek shows power of friendship, acceptance in Holley production

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Two very different characters – Shrek played by Aidan Kelley and Donkey played by Kallan Babcock – travel together to save a princess who is in a tower in a castle. They work together to get past a dragon to save her.

Shrek is a loner who is most at peace being alone in his swamp. He encounters Donkey and other banished fairytale characters who are sent to the swamp by Lord Farquaad. Donkey brings non-stop chatter and antics that get on Shrek’s nerves.

Holley performed Shrek on Friday night and has two more shows today at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Holley Junior-Senior High School.

Kohle Pachla plays the pint-sized Lord Farquaad, shown with the Duloc Dancers. They perform “What’s Up Duloc?” Lord Farquaad makes a deal with Shrek to save the princess and then he will get his swamp back.

Fiona played by Isla Schultz has been locked away in the castle for 8,423 days or about 23 years. She sings, “I Know It’s Today” when her prince will come and rescue her.

These fairytale creatures are banished to the swamp by evil Lord Farquaad, who calls them freaks. The 3 Lil Pigs are played by Zoey Warner, Brianna Pellegrino and Grayson Kelley. Leo Ladd is the Big Bad Wolf.

Nico Unterborn plays the role of Pinocchio, whose nose stretches out when he tells a fib.

Donkey (Kallan Babcock) strikes a connection with the Dragon, which previously singed most of the princess’s rescuers. Others were held in captivity. Donkey and the Dragon sing, “Forever.” The Dragon is played by Lillian Haight, Nora Lindsay and Alexis VanAmeron.

Lord Farquaad (Kohle Pachla) is torturing Gingy (Layla Jones) into revealing the whereabouts of other fairytale creatures that are still hiding in his Kingdom so he can have them arrested as well.