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Arts & Entertainment

In a Faraway Kingdom ...

Short Hills actress plays Young Fiona in 'Shrek the Musical.'

While most of her peers were busy starting middle school this year, Alexa Kerner took a different path.  She began rehearsals in August for a show that opened in September. Alexa appeared as Young Fiona in the Broadway National Tour of "Shrek the Musical."

The show performed in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania. The show generally performed eight times a week and Alexa alternated playing Young Fiona and Young Shrek and Grumpy. Young Fiona sings the song "I Know it's Today" with Teen Fiona and Grown-Up Fiona. Alexa's last show was on Dec. 28 in Hershey, Pa.

"I had the time of my life performing in Shrek the Musical," Alexa said. "Having the opportunity to perform in theaters that seated as many as 2,000-3,000 was incredible. Every night the show gets a standing ovation, which is an amazing feeling."

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Alexa has been active in musical theater since she was 7 years old. Her first named role was "Annie" in Annie at the age of 9, and last year she played "Baby June" in Gypsy, "Ursula" in Bye Bye Birdie, "Rachel (Randolph)" in Bye Bye Birdie and "Merryweather" in Sleeping Beauty.

Alexa performs with the Paper Mill Playhouse Junior All Stars, an outreach program that performs two shows a year in local schools and hospitals. She also participated in the Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Conservatory and performed in New Voices 2011 on the Paper Mill stage.  Alexa also studies acting at Acting With Emily in Maplewood. Alexa was recently invited to join the Broadway Youth Ensemble, a group of young performers, many of whom have Broadway credits, who perform in New York City.


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