'Shrek The Musical' Brings Out the Goodness of Green
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| Shrek The Musical Through Oct. 16, 2011 Segerstrom Center for the Arts 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa 714.556.2787 :: scfta.org |
Long before Dreamworks optioned and produced the mega successful series of animated films, I was in love with the character Shrek. This wonderful story was created by the prolific illustrator, William Steig, whose career as the resident cartoonist for The New Yorker earned him the title “The King of Cartoons.” He wrote Shrek when he was in his 60s, and continued as a children’s author until his death in 2003 at the age of 96. I read this wonderful tale often to my son when he was little and have seen all the films Dreamworks has offered audiences the last few years.
Of course, when Dreamworks got a hold of this story, they cast amazing comedic vocal talent with Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, and John Lithgow and crafted a script that appealed to parents and the younger set. Shrek The Musical, playing at Segerstrom Center for the Arts until October 16, follows in the same spirit of this highly successful franchise, and is backed by a terrific book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori. It is a clever, funny sweet tale with a charming message of friendship, tolerance and the notion that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.
If you are not familiar with the story of Shrek, the stereotypical grumpy green ogre, you must have been living under a rock for the last 10 years. Shrek The Musical follows the original film plot closely, but if you have not seen it, it is OK to go in without preconceptions. You will be in for some fun; just prepare to laugh and be thoroughly entertained by a wonderfully twisted, hopeful fairy fable, filled with hilarity and huge heart.
I saw this show on Broadway a couple of years ago, and I have to admit, it was not in my top 10 to attend. But my traveling companion was an 11-year-old, and we had a hookup for a backstage tour, and a meet-up with stars Sutton Foster and Christopher Seiber, so I was in! No regrets, as the show was funny, silly, a bit naughty, and of course, endearing. Costumes and sets were pure eye candy, and the makeup design was terrific. My young theater companion and I knew we would be back to see it again when it hit the road.
The touring production went through a bit of a metamorphosis, fine-tuning some elements, tightening up the script and editing the musical score. Broadway’s robotic dragon was replaced with a massive yet fluid dragon puppet, Fiona’s tower was eliminated and in place is a scaled down balcony and screen, and the Dragon’s delicious tune “Donkey Pot Pie” was cut. My son informed me he didn’t care for that song anyway, so they all seemed like smart choices.
What is not lacking in this touring production is talent. Although this is a non-equity tour, you certainly will not be cheated out of stellar performances from all involved. Shrek (Lukas Poost) masters his cynical Scottish ogre brogue, and you fall in love with him immediately. His sidekick, Donkey (Andre Jordan) plays Shrek’s wingman brilliantly and Fiona (Liz Shivener), a princess who can burp with the best of them, keeps up with the crude antics of her fairytale friends with wonderful comedic timing. The rest of the cast, including Costa Mesa native Luke Yellin, who plays the pathological liar, Pinocchio, are all triple threats, which is necessary for the dancing, singing and acting they must negotiate in this show, all while donning creative costumes and complex makeup. Standout performances include Merrit David Janes’ Lord Farquaad, who performs as the ridiculous little “man that would be king” on his knees the entire show, as well as Schuyler Midgett, who is spot on as the voice of Gingy, the sassy gingerbread cookie.
The members of the Shrek cast truly were given a gift in the musicality of this show. I have been listening to the soundtrack for a couple of years now, and it holds up in anyone’s classic Broadway playlist. The intermission heart-string puller, “Who I’d Be,” brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it, and it is sung beautifully by Poost. Showstoppers are “Freak Flag,” a song about diversity and tolerance (with a witty flag gag, a la Les Miz), and of course, the cover of The Monkees ballad, “I’m a Believer” brought the Orange County crowd to its feet.
As is its custom, and most especially in this 25th year of celebration, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts added its special touch during Shrek’s visit to our county with special cast performances at South Coast Plaza and delicious green-themed cocktails at the Center bar. And of course, ogre-themed merchandise is available at the show kiosk.
“What make us special are the things that make us strong…” Shrek The Musical delivers this message loudly and proudly and is on its way to becoming a new American musical classic wrapped up in a big green package.
