Stagemakers at the J performed the musical comedy “Shrek Jr.” recently at the JCC of Allentown, 702 N. 22nd St., Allentown.

With music by Jeanine Desori, book and lyrics by David-Lindsay-Abaire, the musical is an adaptation of the 2001 Dreamworks Animation film which was loosely based on the book “Shrek!” by William Steig.

Shrek is the story of a rude, reclusive and smelly green ogre who finds his swamp invaded by a group of fairytale misfits, banished from their kingdom.

Featuring favorite characters from the movie, the audience remembered Princess Fiona, Lord Farquaad and of course, Shrek’s outrageously funny sidekick, Donkey.

Max Weatherhold, a student at Lehigh Valley Regional Charter School, took on the title role of Shrek.

He has performed in several other plays including “Wizard of Oz,” “Peter Pan” and “The Polar Express.”

“Shrek is an ogre and it’s his job to be scary,” Weatherhold said. “He thinks he has to be that way.

“Fiona opens his eyes to how the world could be and he learns to give the world a chance.”

The part of Princess Fiona was played by Northwestern Lehigh High School student Meghan McGorry.

She formerly played Ms. Darbus in “High School Musical Jr.” at the JCC.

This fall, McGorry performed Belle, Scrooge’s fiancé, in Northwestern Lehigh High School’s production of “The Trials of Ebenezer Scrooge.”

McGorry said she really loved playing Fiona.

“She’s not your typical princess. She’s kind of like the guys and an equal to Shrek,” she said.

Elijah Siler, a student at Whitehall, took on the challenge of the comedic “Donkey.”

“I was cast in this role and I love it but I don’t consider myself a comedian,” Siler said. “I did try to be funny though.”

The show’s director Jon Lynch said, “Elijah is incredibly funny as Donkey.”

Lynch along with choreographer Peyton Lynch, musical director Andy Borghesani and costume designer Mary McCauley-Siler worked with the cast at the JCC for over two months.

“I chose Shrek because I knew it would be the perfect show for the Stagemakers and one that kids from all over would want to perform in,” Lynch said.

That certainly proved true as the cast was made up of 55 students ranging in age from five to 17 representing over 20 different schools throughout the Lehigh Valley.

According to Lynch, most people think of “Shrek” as the funny cartoon movie but there is so much more.

The show demonstrated to kids and adults alike how to celebrate their individuality.

“As we watch people suffering from discrimination or bullying, “Shrek Jr.” encourages everyone to stand up tall and let their “freak flag fly!” (the title of one of the musical numbers in the production),” Lynch said.

Throughout the rehearsal process, each and every student was encouraged to embrace the motto “what makes us special makes us strong.”

Lynch said the cast, production team and parents worked endlessly “to bring this story of acceptance to life.”