MTW’s Shrek an Ogre to Admire

Judging from the crowd attending Shrek: The Musical at Skokie’s North Center for the Performing Arts, a certain green ogre has garnered an appeal well beyond those filling America’s grade schools. Based on Music Theater Works’ current treatment of the musical, it’s understandable why its attraction has grown so widely.

Whether as an animated movie or a theatrical production, Shrek has been around for a little over twenty years.  His green complexion and telescope ears have become a part of the zeitgeist of our times.  But every iteration of this unconventional hero is slightly different from the other, making each one unique.  Playing the role in this production, Jordan DeBose shows how being an ogre is more an annoying chore than anything else.  The fear he instills when people see him may be harrowing to them; but to him it’s all a part of a tedious continuum.  The predictability of people’s reactions doesn’t make him angry.  Instead, he moves through life almost gallantly as a resigned loner.  Having the only place he feels at peace, his swamp, confiscated by a self-absorbed aristocrat manages to raise his ire sufficiently enough for him to set out in an effort to reclaim it. 

The characters he meets on his way to Duloc are who make this production so engaging and rewarding.  Like Shrek himself, each one has something about them that sets them apart.  Something visual that causes an instinctive and often negative response.   Eustace J. Williams as a talking Donkey is a slight exception.  It’s his ability to talk that makes him a castaway.  He’s even threatened with death because of his difference until Shrek inadvertently saves him; gaining an overly chatty sidekick in the process.  Perfectly occupying their roles, DeBose and Williams portray polar opposites who strike an ideal comedic balance.  Their quest to reclaim Shrek’s swamp takes on the look of a road trip littered with farcical misadventure.

One key character simply refuses to acknowledge his departure from the norm.  Lord Farquaad (Michael Metcalf) doesn’t let being greatly undersized stand in the way of his massive ego or his outsized greed.  Metcalf’s Lord Farquaad takes up so much air in the musical, he threatens to overshadow Shrek and his burgeoning sense of self-acceptance.  Johanna McKenzie Miller’s balanced and sensitive direction keeps him in check; but still allows Farquaad to give generous vent to the hilarity of his maniacal side.  They all, Shrek, Donkey and Lord Farquaad carry a burden that the joy in the musical score neither hides or reproaches.  In overt and subtle ways, both Shrek and Donkey push each other to recognize a worth they don’t intrinsically see in themselves. 

Even Fiona (Dani Pike), hardened by years of waiting in a tower for her one true love to rescue her, has a secret.  One that she hopes will be fixed by a kiss.  The expected route to a happy ending never goes anywhere, much to credit of some very ingenious plot revisions.  Instead, we’re treated to twists in the story line that manage to be both plausibly distressing and wonderfully heartwarming.  Nineteen new songs created to support this fresh look at Shrek serve their purpose well and glow brightly throughout the musical.  Signaling her amorous attraction to Donkey, Maddison Denault as the Dragon ably channels Jennifer Hudson in one of them.  Also a strong expressive singer, Pike is a consistent delight with every song she performs.  In one scene, we see her in three stages of life; as a child, a teen and as adult.  Shaya Harris portrays teen Fiona and Omi Lichtenstein plays her as a child.  Stimulating the kind of appreciative awe that’s only found in live theater, they electrified the stage singing individually and in unison. 

Employing the breezy speech of Millennials, the vernacular of the play proved a slight surprise. Listening to Shrek and Fiona go back and forth about who had the worst childhood, or hearing the way Fiona talk about the agony of waiting to be freed from her prison was like listening to the soundtrack of today.  Crisp, aware and at least superficially, non-plussed.  And just like today, scratch the surface and you’ll likely find a little tenderness.

By validating all of those who are seen or see themselves as “unwanted”, it’s that touch of tenderness that sets this Shrek apart from many of its predecessors.  Keeping the humor high, the action fast and the music soaring; MTW’s Shrek The Musical possesses the muted depth and genuine compassion anyone of any age can relate to and heartily enjoy.

Shrek The Musical

Through December 31, 2023

North Shore Center for the Performing Arts

9501 Skokie Blvd.

Skokie, IL   60077