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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, October 2, 2013 | 16 Student playing several roles in Shrek the Musical by Scott Stewart Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene "Connected to your Community" It might seem odd that a 10-year-old girl would be happy spending time in a swamp, but this is no ordinary swamp and she's no ordinary girl. Oakville's Lauren Wasik has landed several roles in Toronto's Lower Ossington Theatre's (LOT) production of Shrek the Musical, including the younger version of the titular swamp dweller himself. In addition to Young Shrek, Lauren will also bring the younger version of Princess Fiona -- the object of Shrek's affection -- to life. It's the chance to play Fiona that Lauren says she enjoys most. "I like Fiona because she has a solo and it's really fun to perform," she said. "I love the singing and dancing." Lauren landed the roles of Young Shrek and Fiona, as well as Grumpy, the father of Lord Farquaad, following an audition set up by an instructor at Mississauga's Studio Pavas. "My music teacher Mike Ross and I were doing a recording at the studio and he told me I had an audition for Shrek the Musical," she said. "We started practising a song from Shrek, and when my dad and I went to the audition, it went really well." Lauren is the youngest performer in the show, and shares the role of Fiona with an older actress. When her counterpart is portraying Fiona, Lauren dons the Shrek costume for the show. The musical opened last week in Toronto, Oakville actor Lauren Wasik, 10, has been cast in several roles in the Lower Ossington Theatre presentation of Shrek the Musical in Toronto. The show runs through Oct. 18. | submitted photo and the entertainers earned a standing ovation following the first performance. Lauren's mother, Shari, said she was "blown away by all the talent on the LOT stage. It brought me to tears... very happy tears." Performing is nothing new for Lauren, who has played Snoopy in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown and also had roles in Fame and Glee at drama camps. She was recently cast in the role of Mrs. Bloop in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Studio Pavas, which will hit the stage in early 2014. Shari said her daughter's castmates at LOT have been wonderful and supportive with the show's youngest cast member. "They've made her feel comfortable and have gone easy with her," she said. The Grade 5 student has had to miss class time because of the musical, but has received great support from her school. Shawn McRae, principal at James W. Hill Public School , inquired about having a special matinee performance of the show so Lauren's friends and schoolmates could see her on stage. The crew, band and performers agreed, and that performance is set for Oct. 18. "We are very excited to have the opportunity to attend the production of Shrek and watch Lauren as the young Fiona," McRae said. "This performance gives all our Grades 2-5 students a chance to see live professional theatre and appreciate the talent of one of their peers." Tickets are available at the Lower Ossington Theatre box office, 100A Ossington Ave., by phone at 416-915-6747 or online at www. lowerossingtontheatre.com. Sunshine Boys kicks off Burl-Oak Theatre Group's 13-14 season The Burl-Oak Theatre Group will kick off its 37th season with a revival of Neil Simon's classic Sunshine Boys tonight (Wednesday) at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. Sunshine Boys tells the story of comedians Al Lewis and Willy Clark. During their forty-plus years in vaudeville, the pair's relationship disintegrates to the point of hatred. Lewis opts to get out of the business, a move that Clark held against him for years. The pair is invited to reunite on television for a history of comedy special, and Clark's nephew Ben wants the pair to team up again and perform one of their classic acts for the show. Things, however, don't quite go as expected thanks to the wily old performers. Burlington residents John Henson and Paul Chato play Lewis and Clark, respectively, while Oakville's Mike Mitton plays Ben. Chato is best known as a member of the Canadian comedy troop The Frantics Tickets cost $25 and are for general admission seating. Visit www.oakvillecentre.ca or call 905-815-2021 to purchase tickets. Sing with Musikay this Sunday Musikay, the renamed Oakville Ensemble, is hosting a sing-along this Sunday (Oct. 6) at 3 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 304 Spruce St. in Oakville. Artistic Director Stéphane Potvin will lead the chorus in pieces such as Vivaldi's Gloria, Handel's Messiah, Jannequin's chant des oiseaux and les rossignols, and will help get everyone in the festive mood with some Christmas tunes as well. Sunday's sing-along is a chance to get acquainted with the repertoire of the upcoming season by singing alongside the ensemble choir in a relaxed and fun environment. Singers should bring their copy of Handel's Messiah and get the rest of the music from www.musikay.ca. This event is free. Reserve your place by visiting http:// oakville-ensemble.ca/singalong.