FLYING YOUR FREAK FLAG

16. March 2011 by admin.

FLYING YOUR FREAK FLAG

F. J. Hartland

First, it was a book.  Then it was an animated film.  Now it’s a musical.

It’s Shrek, the Musical now playing through March 20 at the Benedum Center.

Technical glitches stopped the show on opening night even before the first number was over.  It was a long wait as the problem was solved.  Kudos to the three performers (Carrie Compere, Danielle Soibelman and Brian Gonzales) who returned to the stage and re-sang “Bright Beautiful World” and recaptured the audience’s interest and enthusiasm!

Shrek covers the same material as Beauty and the Beast and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.  All that “beauty is just skin deep” and “real beauty is on the inside” and “love conquers all” stuff.

Directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, Shrek, the Musical will entertain youngsters—but has enough “hidden material” to keep adults amused as well.

Eric Peterson plays the green ogre Shrek with so much charm that you will love him even when he’s mean and grumpy.  He moves the audience with such songs as “When Words Fail” and “Build a Wall.”  Peterson is a performer who really knows how to engage an audience!

As the villainous Lord Farquaad David F. M. Vaughn is hysterically funny. Visually, he’ll make you laugh even before he opens his mouth!

Alan M. Mingo, Jr. has the daunting task of playing the Donkey (made famous in the movie by Eddie Murphy).  While he gives it his best, after a while he becomes very grating.

My favorite performance was Haven Burton as Princess Fiona. Bright and engaging, Burton sings beautifully and makes the most of all the humor.  She is far more layered than any of the fairy tale princesses Disney has given us in the past.  I was especially taken by her number “I Know It’s Today.”

The use of puppetry in the show is nothing short of amazing.  There’s a huge flying dragon, a mouthy gingerbread man and scampering rates just to name a few memorable moments.

One element of Shrek, the Musical that theatre aficionados will enjoy is the send-ups of other popular Broadway musicals as Dreamgirls, Les Miserables, Lion King and Wicked.

The set and costumes by Tony Award-winner Tim Hatley are colorful and amazing.  The show is filled with all kinds of special effects and, overall,  is a delight to the eye!

While the plot is too thin to justify the running time, Shrek, the Musical ends with a rousing curtain call.  It’s an energetic rendition of “I’m a Believer” that keeps the audience clapping and singing along

.CHILD ALERT:  Shrek, the Musical is popular family entertainment and there were a number of children in the opening night audience.  The vast majority of the children were well-behaved, and I salute their parents.  However, the little girl behind me spent all of Act One kicking the back of seat, wheezing bronchitis germs on my neck, putting her fingers in my hair and vomiting into a bag (I kid you not).  If your children are sick, keep them home please.  Exchange your tickets for another night, I beg you.  A sick child will not enjoy the experience…nor will those audiences members seated near you!

Shrek, the Musical runs through March 20. 

Posted in Uncategorized | Print | 1 Comment »