‘Shrek’ shines - The Garden Island

Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island

Kilauea School student Andrea Fernandez as Princess Fiona takes the lead in rounding up some of the cast members for “Shrek The Musical Jr.” during rehearsal following school in the school cafeteria.

Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island

Kilauea School music director Jeremy Brown checks production notes as the cast of “Shrek The Musical Jr.” reach the finale of “Big, Bright Beautiful World” during practice in the school cafeteria.

Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island

Kilauea School student Michelle Lapilio as Pinocchio checks production notes with one of the Bears during practice for “Shrek The Musical Jr.” in the school cafeteria.

Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island

Mat Del Rosario, choreographer for “Shrek The Musical Jr.,” positions the cast as the young ogre is addressed by his parents during practice in the Kilauea School cafeteria for the production opening Saturday.

Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island

Kilauea School student Andrea Fernandez is Princess Fiona, flanked by Ocean Amador as Young Fiona and Sophia Stedman as Teen Fiona in a scene from “Shrek The Musical Jr.” during rehearsal at the school cafeteria.

KILAUEA — There are some things worth waiting for, and the costuming for “Shrek The Musical Jr.” is one of them.

“The students’ costumes, the work being directed by Meleika Hilliard, won’t be ready until the week of the production,” said Jeremy Brown, Kilauea School music director, during an after-school practice. “We have some ready, but everything will be done the week leading to the show.”

Kilauea School invites people to two performances of “Shrek The Musical Jr.,” Saturday and Sunday, starting at 6 p.m. on both evenings with seating in the cafeteria.

About 35 students in grades four to six will take the stage under the enhanced lighting under the direction of Farrah Krovoza, teacher and adviser for the Kilauea School Drama Club.

“I started the drama club when I first started at the school in the school year, 2004-2005,” Krovoza said. “We started off doing short one-act plays. Last year, we produced our first musical, ‘The Lion King, Kids.’”

Students participated auditioned for the production’s main roles, including Reiden Rathbone being slotted as Shrek, Bailey Contrades nailing Mama Ogre, Isabella Bivens named Papa Ogre, North Krovoza is the Little Ogre, and Fiona being filled by three students — Ocean Amador as Young Fiona, Sophia Stedman being Teen Fiona, and Andrea Fernandez becoming Princess Fiona.

Director Krovoza is assisted by a cast of mentors, including Jeremy Brown, school music director, choreographer Mat Del Rosario, set and costume designer Kayti Lathrop, and Lisa Squire helping with the poster design.

“I used to dance in big productions, including Cirque du Soleil,” Del Rosario said. After doing this awhile, I decided I would come home — I was born and raised on Lanai — and teach our young people that they, too, can become a dancer and performer.”

There is an admission of $10 for adults and $5 for students on both nights where the students will take the audience on a tour through 17 musical numbers, including “I’m a Believer” by The Monkees.

Including the main characters, other students performing include Chelsea Santiago, Darla Squire, Haven Lathrop, Michelle Lapillo, Christiama Gaia, Ryder Ewing, Uluwehi Pavao-Cypher, Avah McRoberts, Alana Evers, Ruby Prieto, Chloe Hannaz, Zarea Burwell, Elizabeth Padre, Aliya Broadman, Jelani Eddings, Jazlyn Johnson, Rain Hannsz, Cougar Carlson, Sophia Stedman, Ginger Hilliard, Darla Squire, and Ella McCann.

Krovoza said it’s important to keep the performing arts in the schools.

“I remember performing in school plays when I was a student at Kilauea School, and I was a part of the Kauai Performing Arts Center during high school,” she said. “There are a lot of talented kids in our community who don’t have the time and resources to commit to a Hawaii Childrens Theater production, so my ultimate goal is to give the kids in our community a place to shine. It’s a lot of work, but the kids have a blast —an that’s what it’s really all about.”

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