Fairy tale misfits will congregate in Okotoks’ performing arts centre for an afternoon of rowdy entertainment this weekend.
The Town of Okotoks is inviting residents young and old to dress up as their favourite fairy tale character for the screening of the 2001 Dreamworks animated hit Shrek, for a sing-a-long in the Rotary Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) April 8. Crafts start at 1:30 p.m. and the movie is at 2 p.m.
“We’re inviting people to come along in costumes and dress up as their favourite character,” said Allan Boss, Okotoks culture and heritage manager. “We want young families to come on down to enjoy some great fun and a really good movie.”
The movie, which tells the story of a green ogre who goes on a quest to save a princess so he can get his swamp back, is among several that have been screened at the RPAC for interactive sing-a-longs.
“We just started doing it a few years ago,” Boss said. “It seems that it’s something our community wants more of. They are fun to put on and they’re just a blast so we keep doing them.”
Boss said those who attend enjoy the interactive aspects of the shows.
“People enjoy singing, people enjoy dressing up in costumes and people enjoy getting together and celebrating,” he said. “It’s the communal aspect of theatre where people are gathering and enjoying life together. That’s a big part of what people like about it.”
Goodger-Pink Family Theatre founder Samantha Duff and artistic associate Holleay Rohm will host the event.
The DeWinton production company has been putting on indoor and outdoor performances, often fairy tails told in pantomime style, in Okotoks since 2013.
“We are thrilled to be able to work with the Town in any way we can,” said Duff. “We really are excited to do this. It sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun for the whole family.”
Duff said their role is to ensure the audience is having fun while watching the movie.
“Our job is to keep the energy high and make sure everyone is having so much fun singing along,” she said. “It’s not one of those things where go to the movie and be quiet. There’s going to be a lot of audience interaction.”
Duff and Rohm will dig through their costume collection to dress up for the occasion, and bring along some props from previous performances.
“We’ll come up with something really fun and fairytale-like - as much towards the theme of Shrek as possible,” she said. “It is definitely a movie that I’ve always enjoyed.
I love that aspect of it’s very much for all ages. It’s definitely tailored towards children, but it has those little tongue-and-cheek jokes that adult get that kids don’t.”
Tickets to join in the Shrek Sing-a-long cost $9 and are available at okotoksculture.ca or by calling 403-938-3204.
