With the recent success of Ledyard’s Spring Musical, “Les Miserables,” Drama director Russell Hammond has chosen a new route for next year’s musical. “It’s all planned out and set,” Hammond said. “We are officially bringing ‘Shrek the Musical’ to life next year.”

As for the students of LHS, the reviews have been mixed.

“I’m thrilled,” junior Eli Uttley-Rosado said, who played Jean Valjean in “Les Miserables.” “I’m excited to branch out into new characters. Playing Valjean was a dream, but imagine the possibilities with Shrek!”

As for Carter Smith, a sophomore who performed the coveted role of Javert in “Les Miserables,” things are a little different. “How can we go from such a profound musical to ‘Shrek’?” Smith said. “I’m highly disappointed. I’m not sure if I’d want to continue being active in the musicals after this.”

The show, a broadway production of DreamWorks’ 2001 movie is a story about acceptance and is a twist from “traditional” fairy tales.“It’s a story about love and friendship,” Hammond said. “I think students have trouble remembering the importance of being grounded and overcoming hardships, which is what Shrek is really about.”

“I’m honestly so disappointed,” senior Kali Money, an active member in Ledyard Drama, said. “Playing Fiona [Shrek’s love interest] has been my dream since I was a child. I can’t believe we didn’t do this for my senior musical. Ledyard’s music department has so many strong students that I don’t expect anything other than an amazing show. I’m sad to be graduating, but I can’t wait to come back and see everyone perform.”

After the tremendous amount of support Ledyard Drama received with “Les Miserables,” the Drama budget has skyrocketed. The budget for next year’s production is a whopping $10,000. That will surely cover the cost of sets, costumes and, most importantly, the green face paint.

Andrea Gamboa, Multimedia Editor

Junior Andrea Gamboa is the Multimedia Editor for the 2014-2015 Colonel. She sings in Ledyard Carolers, Chamber Choir, and Acabellas, and was a lead role in Ledyard Drama’s production of How to Succeed in Business, Without Really Trying.