Shrek the Musical
book & lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
music by Jeanine Tesori
directed by Jason Moore & Rob Ashford
Pantages Theatre
through July 31
Never having seen any of the Shrek films, I come totally unbiased - green - to this material. One thing I can say for sure, I love fairy tales and any re-imagining of them, provided the characters remain true to form. In Shrek the Musical, the updating of traditional icons like Pinocchio, the Pied Piper, Wicked Witch, Sugar Plum Fairy, Three Pigs, and Three Blind Mice, to name but a few, is quite appealing stuff - and as to newly arrived Shrek, his sidekick the Donkey, Princess Fiona, Lord Farquaad... and Gingy Puppet ...they are sheer delight! Now at the Pantages through July 31, Shrek is a fun, inspirational and imaginative romp for children young and old.
One cannot dismiss a comparison to Beauty and the Beast, but Shrek's ending where beautiful does not necessarily mean pretty takes it a giant step away from perfection. This update is bound to please those who crave a more realistic, believable flavor. Ogres deserve happiness as much as anyone else, so why shouldn't Princess Fiona be on an equal plane with Cinderella, Snow White and Rapunzel? And why shouldn't Shrek have his crack at Prince Charming? This is a cartoon about the underdog and those with more grounded - even nastier - habits get their turn in the spotlight.
Under the dual direction of Jason Moore and Rob Ashford the touring cast all shine. Eric Peterson makes a heartwarming and cuddly Shrek. Only one flaw of note: when he sings, he starts so low-key, it is not easy to hear the lyrics of the first few bars of his solo numbers. Otherwise, it is a performance of great dimension. Alan Mingo, Jr. as Donkey is loaded with pizazz and devilish charm, and Haven Burton is comically and vocally scrumptious as Fiona. David F. M. Vaughn as Farquaad tears up the scenery every time he's on stage. Following him is a tall order, if you know what I mean! Carrie Compere sizzles as the mesmerizing voice of the Dragon, and Blakeley Slaybaugh makes his moments count as Pinocchio. At times the show is reminiscent of Monty Python's Spamalot in its silliness, as, for example, in the "Travel Song" where the cow jumps over the moon, but its overall drive and tone are most definitely American. Disney could not have done it better, and no fairy tale or kids' story is spared satirically; I thought I even caught a sentence right out of the film Babe: "That'll do ... that'll do!"
Tim Hatley's scenic and costume design are at their flashiest with "The Ballad of Farquaad", Josh Prince's choreography dazzles as in "Freak Flag", and Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire have created a score that is bright, happy and pure fun.
From start to finish Shrek the Musical is high on heart and entertainment - an unqualified charmer. So why find fault? Even a gingerbread cookie sings, dances and delivers the goods. Now that's imagination! It's got my vote.
Don't miss it!
