The Bushnell
in Hartford, Connecticut
www.bushnell.org

DreamWorks Theatricals

and

Neal Street Productions

present

Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the Book by William Steig

Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire

Music by Jeanine Tesori

Directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford

“A fabulous Flight of Fantasy! Incredibly Joyous, with a Brilliant Cast. Pricelessly Funny!”
- Liz Smith

Reviewed by B. K. Grant

The award winning talents of Tim Hatley (set, costume and puppet design) afforded this reviewer a virtual vacation away from this season’s wintry weather. A curtain of lush green foliage gently draped around a warm swampy bog was much preferred over three feet of ice-crusted snow and single digit temperatures. I melted back into my comfortable seat and patiently waited.

A component of the Hartford Financial Services Group Broadway Series, Shrek The Musical is based on the 1990 fairy tale Shrek!  by William Steig, and the 2001 Oscar-winning DreamWorks film of the same name that introduced the loveable green ogre to the world.

Playing to a packed house, the First Act opens to when Shrek is an adorable seven-year-old (played by Hayley Feinstein making her professional theater debut) complete with little green appendages protruding from his head. His parents are sending him out into the world on his own, and encourage him to practice his ogre-ing.

Fast forward to adulthood. Shrek, brilliantly played by Eric Petersen (joining the tour from the Broadway production) is annoyed when fairytale creatures are sent to live in his swamp. Pinocchio (Blakely Slaybaugh), Sugar Plum Fairy (Sandra Denise), Tweedledum (Carrie Compere), Pied Piper (Brian Gonzales), and more are disgruntled characters who have been displaced by an evil lord. Donkey (hilariously played by Alan Mingo, Jr.) early on tries and succeeds in befriending Shrek, and the pair set out through the wood (with moving trees), over bridges, past landscapes (in motion) to confront Lord Farquaad and remedy the situation.

Through the magic of puppetry, and to the delight of the audience, Lord Farquaad makes his grand entrance. David F. M. Vaughn (also from the Broadway company) is amazing in his portrayal of this vertically challenged character: he sings, dances and travels the stage largely on his knees. The conniving lord offers to remove the animated inhabitants from Shrek’s swamp if he will rescue Princess Fiona from an enormous fire-breathing dragon and bring her to him.

Flash back. Princess Fiona is seven years old, and imprisoned in a tower until she is rescued by her true love. Young Danielle Soibelman nails her character as she belts out in a voice larger than its owner “I Know It’s Today”, the day she will be rescued. A swirl of clouds and mist, and Fiona is a teenager (Sarah Peak’s great performance), equally certain “Today” is the day The haze moves in and through it appears an adult Princess Fiona (spirited Haven Burton from the Broadway production), distraught at her imprisonment, also insisting that “Today” is the day. The simultaneous emergence of all three Fionas illustrates the futility of the hopes and dreams through many years of captivity.

Ta Daa, liberated at last. Shrek climbs through the vine-covered window, and discovers there is only one way out: the way he came in. He and Fiona make a mad dash to avoid the terrible dragon, who, in pursuit, spreads her wings, bats her eyes and openly flirts with Donkey. The appearance of a forty foot fire-breathing dragon seemingly floating over the stage is incredible, so much so, I will say no more – you’ll have to see it to believe it.

During the long trip back to Lord Farquaad’s realm, Princess Fiona frequently questions Shrek about her intended; among several responses, he quips: “Men of Lord Farquaad’s stature are in short supply”, prompting rolling laughter from the audience. Finally admitting to himself that he has deep feelings for the feisty princess, Shrek makes a conscious decision to act on them. However, he misunderstands part of a conversation overheard between Donkey and the Princess, reacts negatively toward the game plan, causing her to stubbornly march on alone to meet her Prince Charming.

Arriving at the castle, Fiona experiences a less-than-exciting meeting with the diminutive Lord Farquaad; but convinced he is ‘the one’, she insists the wedding take place today, before sunset. The little lord is giddy with joy and immediately sets plans in motion for the royal nuptials, which will result in his becoming king of the land. After much urging by Donkey, Shrek gives chase, arriving in the knick of time; the proposal, the kiss – Fiona’s transformation is a magical moment.

From sunrise to sunset, from the forest to the swampy bog, Shrek The Musical is numero uno on this reviewer’s list of best set designs. Add to that Hugh Vanstone’s innovative lighting design, the clean choreography of Josh Prince, the exciting reverberations from musical director Andy Grobengieser and sound designer Peter Hylenski, and I was surely seated in The 5th Avenue Theater for the World Premier. The tremendous scope of this successful production is due to a multitude of extremely talented individuals involved in carpentry, casting, consulting, costumes and wardrobe, dance, electronics, illusions, makeup and hair, orchestrating, photography and press, props and stage managing. The program spells out the credits in more detail than is manageable here.

Being familiar with the big screen Shrek lineage, this reviewer was eager to revisit the story line, enjoy the music and the dance; I was delighted with episodes of thigh-slapping hilarity offered in nearly every scene. Whether you are age six or ninety-six, Shrek The Musical is praiseworthy entertainment. It’s a short run – don’t miss it. Be sure to stay for the endings – yes, endings.