“Shrek The Musical” is the type of family-friendly entertainment that you can’t help but enjoy, especially as vibrantly brought to life by Music Theater Works. Indeed, the house for the opening matinee was filled with excited, chattering children. Their total engrossment in the action was a delight to observe.
Directed by Johanna McKenzie Miller and playing at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, IL, “Shrek” is also a tale with an important moral – that no matter how much of a misfit you have been told you are, you still belong to this global community.
Every individual, big or small, pink or green, has value and deserves respect. That’s a pretty valuable life lesson.
For those who are unfamiliar with the fractured fable, Shrek is a big green ogre who lives in a swamp in a world inhabited by storybook characters. These characters range from the three little pigs to Peter Pan, to the truth-challenged Pinocchio.
A narcissistic ruler named Lord Farquaad wardens the kingdom of Duloc and cares only for himself and not for the people of the land. Thus, he kicks them all out of their homes and has them moved to Shrek’s swamp. This does not sit well with the ogre who enjoys his solitude.
A deal is struck. If Shrek will save Princess Fiona from her perch in a tower guarded by a dragon and deliver her to Lord Farquaad to marry, he will be granted the solitude of his swamp back. Accompanying Shrek on his journey is a fast-talking donkey, whose code name could be Comic Relief.
After Shrek rescues the damsel in distress, he and the princess discover that he has more in common with her than the diminutive nobleman she is expected to wed. Aided by Donkey, the two find their own self-worth and love for each other.
As alluded to earlier, the most important aspect of the musical is its lesson that being different doesn’t make you a freak or a weirdo. Being different is just part of being. We are all different. We are all unique. And, we all have value. It’s a lesson we should all take to heart.
The character of Shrek was created by author William Steig in a picture book in 1990. The ill-tempered ogre was translated into animated form for the 2001 film “Shrek” starring Mike Meyers as the voice of the green-skinned hero. Multiple film and television sequels came to follow, and the stage musical premiered on Broadway in 2008, where it ran until 2010.
For Music Theater Works, Shrek is played by Jordan DeBose. DeBose layers on a thick accent as the grumpy ogre, hitting all the proper emotional points of the role. He is clearly having fun in the role, and that is all the kids in the audience need to have fun too. Most impressive is DeBose deep, powerful voice that fills the theatre in majestic fashion.
Dani Pike is wonderful as Princess Fiona. Pike is known for throwing a little bit of an unconventional attitude into her characters. Her performance as Fiona is a load of fun to experience, with enough emotional juice to touch all the hearts in the audience. She is a phenomenal actress and singer, and can tap dance with the best of them.
Eustace J. Williams gives the audience a highly animated Donkey as Shrek’s traveling companion. The character was voiced by Eddie Murphy in the cartoon films, and Williams matches the famous comedian’s nuanced comic timing to perfection. Most impressive though is Williams’ lusty song delivery. Williams knows how to deliver a song for maximum effect.
The role of Lord Farquaad can be one of the funniest in musical theatre, as that the ego-driven ruler is so diminutive in size that he is played by an actor on his knees. It is a gag that keeps giving throughout the entire show.
For Music Theater Works, Lord Farquaad is played with zeal aplenty by Michael Metcalf. Metcalf embraces the role with the trademark gusto the talented actor brings to every character he embodies. Metcalf is making a name for himself as one of Chicago’s up-and-coming talents. We can all expect big things from Metcalf in the future.
Shrek is not the only character to discover love while on the rescue trail. Donkey also strikes up a love connection, in his case with a lonely dragon. I love the way director Miller stages the character of the dragon with actress Maddison Denault appearing in suggestive costume on stage to voice the role while a team of puppeteers shadow her with a massive dragon display. Denault’s vocals are incredible. I could listen to her rock the house all day and night.
The entire cast is excellent under the guidance of music director Linda Madonia and choreographer Laura Savage. Savage does a superb job of filling the expansive stage. The tap dance number “Morning Person” is one of many standout elements of the Music Theater Works production.
While the entire ensemble is excellent, there are a few standouts. Shaya Harris and Omi Lichtenstein as younger versions of Princess Fiona, Michaela Shapiro as Pinocchio, and Crystal Claros as the Gingerbread Man all add an extra pinch of wonderful to their character recipes.
The ensemble also includes Brian Acker, Joel Arreola, Andrew John Baker, Kristin Brintnall, Chrstin Boulette, Alexander Christie, Jake Elkins, Christopher Johnson, Steven Labine, Liora Lahav, Rachel Livingston, Ethan Lupp, Teah Kiang Mirabelli, Lizzie Mowry,Adam Raso, Peter Ruger, Savannah Sinclair, Jazmine Tamayo, Jenece Upton, and Lead Biwer. They are all big on talent as they delight both the young and young at heart in the audience.
Over the past year, we’ve seen a big shift in scenic design in theatre throughout the greater Chicagoland area. More and more theaters are using massive projection screens as a principal part of their set design. “Shrek” marks Music Theater Works’ first embrace of the technology, and it works well. The projections are well incorporated through the combined efforts of scenic designer Ann Davis and media designer Anthony Churchill.
Lighting design is by Andrew Meyers and sound design is by Matthew R. Chase. Properties are by Barabara Brown, assisted by Ab Rieve. Fight and intimacy choreography is by Amber Wuttke.
Hair, wigs, and makeup are provided by Alice Salazar with aid from Manie Saso, complimenting costumes by Rachel M. Sypniewski and assistant Kristen Brianti. The costumes design is one of the best of the year in Chicago theatre.
The talented orchestra consists of Linda Madonia, Stephen Boyer, Cara Strauss, Johnathan Golko, Alison Tatum, David Belden, Lewis Rawlinson, Gregory Strauss, Stephanie Lebens, Erika Holenback, Samuel Schacker, Cesar Romero, Joseph Krzysiak, Justin Kono, and Anthony Scandora.
On its surface, “Shrek The Musical” is a cute show that kids of all ages can have fun getting lost in. Beneath the surface layer, “Shrek” has some valuable lessons about self-esteem and fitting in. You really can’t go wrong. It’s cute, it’s fun, and the kids will learn something in the process.
“Shrek The Musical” plays Tuesday, December 26 at 1 PM; Wednesday, December 27 at 1 PM; Friday, December 29 at 8 PM; Saturday, December 30 at 2 PM and 8 PM; and Sunday, December 31 at 2 PM. There is not a bad seat in the house and every performer on the stage is wonderful. Kudos to Artistic director Kyle A. Dougan and the entire Music Theater Works staff on another job well done.
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts is located at 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. For tickets visit www.MusicTheaterWorks.com or call the box office at (847) 673-6300. For groups of 10 or more call (847) 920-5360.
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