Run, run, as fast as you can...

The show may be over, but we're not done sharing cool stories from behind the scenes of "Shrek, The Musical," and we hope you're not tired of reading them!

Starting with the Broadway production of "Shrek," which debuted in 2008, it's been a tradition that the role of Gingy be voiced by an actor but that the character be a puppet. The same was true of the PHS production.

Introducing the creator of our Gingy: Jerome Strode, a paraprofessional at PHS. He's been making puppets as a hobby for about six years.

To make our Gingy, he started over Christmas break and put in about 20 hours of work. He had to create the legs as separate pieces so that Lord Farquaad (portrayed by Senior Jared Wilde) can "rip them off" and toss them aside during the interrogation scene. Gingy was presented to Lord Farquaad by Senior Jon Commons, who was portraying Thelonius the Executioner, and hilariously was wearing an oven mitt.

"Gingy" was voiced and moved by Junior Olivia Joy, who also performed the roles of Teen Fiona, Tinkerbell, a Duloc Dancer, a Blind Mouse, and a Rat.

And now you know!

— Lydia Winters, PHS Junior 
and "Shrek Cast Member, and
Andra Stefanoni, Drama Mama

*Top photo courtesy of Stephen Rosebrough of TimeKeepers Photography​