The stage has always been home: Shrek musical

Vinny Moser (on the right) Senior at Manteca High starts as Sherk in the Spring 2026 Musical. (Photo contributed)

By JENNIFER BAUTISTA

The Tower

Caroline Campanero played the in the 2026 Shrek musical. Her performance stood out with her amazing vocals, she worked hard on the play, and it paid off for the official performance.  

She loved the character Lord Farquaad especially because Alex, the student who was playing Lord Farquaad, is super funny and was great for the part. 

Her favorite song in the musical was "This is Who I'd be" that was sung by Vinny Moser, even though there were others singing he stood out not only because he had the main role Shrek but because he sang fantastically and with confidence. 

Vinny Moser is a senior at Manteca high who’s been through a huge journey he puts love and detection into theater/acting. He’s been in every play in high school since his freshman year. 

The Tower sat down With Vinnie Moser to interview him about the Shrek play and about what he will do in future to continue into the theater industry. 

The Tower: Was Shrek easy to play for you? 

Vinny Moser: The thing that got me was the accent. I just need to dial that in, but I’ve seen the movie and I’ve noticed how he carries about himself. 

TT: Did you first addition for Shrek? 

VM: Yes. 

TT: Do you have a favorite memory from rehearsal? 

VM: I would think maybe one of my favorite memories during rehearsal is that’s a really good question. I love the I’m a believer choreography. I just am a big fan of choreography in general. So having that dance part is really fun. But, um, Shrek himself really just, like, is a singer in the musical rather than a dancer. 

TT: Who’s your favorite person to act with? 

VM: Kyra, she’s playing Fiona, it’s so much fun because I’ve known her all throughout the theater. So just having that whole experience lead up to now as both being leads, it’s just been really beautiful. 

TT: How long do you rehearse? 

VM: I spend the whole period rehearsing. We’re either acting or singing so we spend as much as time as you can in the 90-minute period. 

TT: What’s your favorite line? 

VM: I think I’m going to have to go with “what are you doing in my swamp” that’s a classic. I also love when Shrek and donkey are arguing back and forth, I get to call him a stubborn jackass. So that’s pretty fun 

TT: do you get nervous before you go on stage? 

VM: Yes, I do. But then I have to remember that I signed up for this. So, I can't be too nervous, but like, of course the nerves still always come because I had realized, there's a whole team, the whole crowd and some of people in the audience. So, I really just forget about that once I'm like one or two songs and because it's just like we're just rehearsing again. 

TT: Is there a lot of rushing backstage 

VM: I want to say a good mix of yes and no, because everyone works well with each other backstage, and then they know how things are coming in and coming out, and people are coming in and coming out, so they know where to move out of the way and just be at everyone’s best expense. 

TT: How long have you guys been preparing for? 

VM: I want to say, um, about two weeks after we came back from winter break. So, from mid-January to now. 

TT: What’s your favorite scene? 

VM: my favorite scene is probably the dragon song called forever because the person who plays the dragon, Caroline her voice is just really beautiful. 

TT: How many plays have you been in? 

VM: I’ve been in every play since freshmen year.