Hamilton, Castro prepare as first time leads at Bearden for ‘Shrek the Musical’

Jordan Hamilton and Javier Castro have been friends for years, but this fall will present them with a new opportunity – the chance to star together in leading roles on stage.

This fall’s Bearden musical is Shrek the Musical, starring Hamilton (Shrek) and Castro (Donkey) as first time leads.

Shrek the Musical will be Hamilton’s first production with the theatre department. Castro was part of the theatre’s production of Crazy For You in 2019, but last year he was virtual and had to take a year away from the stage. 

“I am excited to be working with Jordan and Javier,” theatre teacher Mrs. Lauren Andrejko said. “I feel like they bring a lot of heart and talent to these roles that are the heart of the show.”

Mrs. Andrejko and choir director Mr. Stephen Brown are excited to be back and working on a show that they hope will have an in-person performance this year.

Both seniors are excited to be working together for this show and bringing their friendship and musical talents together.

“I love Javier,” Hamilton said. “He is doing so well as Donkey and is so enthusiastic.”

Added Castro: “Me and Jordan have really great chemistry. We already have, not the meanness or annoyingness of Donkey and Shrek, but all those really good parts of their friendship that you’ll see on stage, we truly have in real life.

“Our voices harmonize really well, and we sound really good together.”

In addition to his role in Crazy for You, Castro also directed a virtual A Christmas Carol last year with other virtual theatre students. 

Hamilton has been in choir since his sophomore year, when Mr. Brown became the choir teacher. Hamilton has also participated in Off the Chain, Bearden’s a cappella group. Hamilton is grateful for the experiences and opportunities that have been brought to him because of Mr. Brown being at Bearden.

Mr. Brown helped give Hamilton that nudge to join musical theatre.

“For musical theatre, I knew that his voice would be a great fit,” Mr. Brown said. “He brings such a positive energy to all of our choir and a cappella rehearsals.

“I knew his energy would be magnetic in musical theatre and he would affect the class positively.”

Added Hamilton: “I was not really thinking about doing it [musical theatre] at all, but he really motivated me, cause he motivates me in everything I do.”

As long as Bearden theatre is able to host in-person performances, the shows will be the second weekend of November.