Energetic and talented Windham Middle School students deliver a strong performance - By Walter Lunt

If you haven’t yet treated yourself to a good show this New Year, plan to the take the family to see Shrek, the musical at Windham High School, starting this weekend.

The classic Disney production, adapted from the Broadway show, is being presented over the next two weekends by a cast of over 60 talented and enthusiastic sixth through eighth graders from Windham Middle School.

Shrek is a musical comedy under the direction of Mary Wassick, who said the selection of such a challenging musical production was made because the artistic directors had confidence in the talent and motivation of “these” middle school students. It is highly entertaining, a seamless theatrical production that is the result of work by 65 young cast members, stage workers and adult volunteers. The timeless themes and fervent performances will appeal to parents, relatives and community members of all ages.

What begins as a self-serving adventure ends with life lessons about real friendship and about judging others. Superb vocals (light jazz, soul and classic theater song), energetic dance (from tap to soft shoe) and bright, eclectic sets combine to enhance an amusing, thoroughly entertaining story driven by strong characterization: Brusque but big-hearted Shrek (Lucy Hatch); lovely and hiding a big secret, Princess Fiona (Chloe Cyr), the boisterous and charming Donkey (Angel Spiller); and the self-serving and devious Lord Farquaad (Denali Dieumegard).

“I think people will be surprised …(these kids) are incredibly talented, said Wassack.

Musical highlights include the soulful Forever and, performed in classical theater style, I Know It’s Today under the musical direction of Suzy Cropper of Main Stage Academy in Windham.  A dynamic dance number, choreographed by Shelbi Wassack, is The Story of my Life, which captures the lament of all the lovable but misunderstood fairy tale creatures. 

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Expect great vocals, strong dance, characters that really tell their story and comedy. Director Wassack summed it up:

“The entire show is fun and silly. And will leave you feeling happy.”

Shrek premiers at Windham High School Auditorium on Friday, January 15 at 7 p.m.  Two performances follow on Saturday, January 16 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and again the following weekend on the same days and times. Admission is $10 adults, $5 students 

The Windham Eagle - December 24, 2015Front Page Stories

Fire Fighters “Light Up” Christmas for Four Families - By Michelle Libby

Windham Middle School Celebrates 12 Days of Giving - By Michelle Libby

Fundraising Initiative To Keep Windham Family Mobile - By Elizabeth Richards 

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Fundraising Initiative To Keep Windham Family Mobile - By Elizabeth Richards

During this holiday season a Windham family has been chosen by HARK, Inc. to be the recipients of a handicapped accessible van through a fundraising initiative dubbed “Hopemobile for PALS”.

Donna York lost her father to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease), a progressive disease that attacks the nervous system, but does not impact intellectual capabilities. She started HARK in memory of her father.

Living with ALS is devastating in many ways, not the least of which is financial, York said. She started HARK to help patients and their families with the financial issues that can arise. Though vans are quite expensive, many families stretch to buy them because they don’t want to be prisoners in their homes, she said. But, they can’t recoup the costs when the van is no longer needed.

She envisioned a program where HARK would buy a van for a family, and when that family no longer needs it, the van will return to HARK to go to another family. “Everybody is different. You never know how long you have,” she said. “A van could go to four or five families over the course of ten years.”

She connected with Anthony Carbajal, a young man with ALS who has become a prominent advocate. Together, they decided to organize the fundraising campaign, with a goal of raising $30,000 for a gently used van. The campaign began on Giving Tuesday and is scheduled to end on New Year’s Day. The intent is that the “Hopemobile for pALS” initiative will be an annual event.

John and Linda Gregoire of Windham were married in 1981. After 26 years of “normal” family life, including raising two sons and all the youth activities, camping, fishing and backpacking trips that go along with that, their world was turned upside down. The Gregoires received devastating news when John was diagnosed with ALS in 2007.

An expert told John he would live a year to 18 months from the time of the diagnosis, but the family refused to accept that prognosis. John has long outlived the doctor’s expectations. “We lived like we didn’t believe him, and that has helped,” said John’s wife, Linda.

After the diagnosis, the family went to work. They have spent countless hours on advocacy and raising awareness for ALS, including starting a foundation called the Hope-JG Foundation (www.hope-jg.org). A visit to the Steve Sailing ALS/MS Residence in Chelsea, MA inspired a vision of establishing a similar residence here in Maine, so that people with advanced ALS won’t need to leave the state to get the care they require.