The DeVos Performance Hall went green on Tuesday night for the first time ever! Green, as in “ogres.” An adoring audience of mostly families welcomed Broadway Grand Rapids‘ final production of the 2010-2011 season, Shrek The Musical, with many of the kids wearing Shrek’s distinctive green ogre ears to show support for their favorite big, fat, ugly monster.
Set in the land of Far, Far Away, Shrek The Musical is based upon the wildly popular 2001 DreamWorks animated film of the same name. Shrek (Eric Petersen) is an ornery ogre who only wants to be left alone. When Lord Farquaad (David F. M. Vaughn) orders the land’s magical fairy tale creatures to live in Shrek’s swamp, he sets out on a quest to get it back. Along the way he meets his trusty friend Donkey (Alan Mingo Jr.), who stole the show on more than one occasion. Once he meets the ambitious—if lacking in certain heroic qualities himself—Lord Farquaad, though, Shrek gets roped into rescuing the imprisoned Princess Fiona (on Tuesday played by Sandra Denise covering for the absent Haven Burton), who has a secret all her own.
Mostly a straight adaptation of the film’s script, the musical doesn’t pull any surprises by way of plot. Many of the film’s distinctive and hilarious gags are recreated on stage from an exploding bird to gags related to Farquaad’s short stature.
However, the show really wowed the crowed with a number of “how’d-they-do-that” moments. The show is filled with magical transformations, including Princess Fiona aging from seven to her mid twenties over the course of her Act I song, “I Know It’s Today.” The technical wizardry of this production was far and away the most ambitious this season, with special effects and old-fashioned theatrical magic dominating the show throughout. Of particular note is the extensive use of puppetry to create some of the more iconic Shrek characters on stage. The children in the audience–as well as their more sophisticated parents–could be heard oohing and aahing at some of the more impressive puppets.
The music from composer Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and playwright/lyricist David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole) features clever wordplay in addition to some surprisingly memorable tunes. The music fits well into the narrative with only a few non-essential songs bogging down the second act.
Unlike other Broadway adaptations, Shrek manages to use its theatrical setting to its advantage substituting the original’s film and pop culture references with musical theatre references. Audience members who are keeping an ear out for them will spot digs at Wicked, Dreamgirls, The Lion King and even Riverdance with Fiona’s Act II showstopper opening number, “Morning Person.” Set designer Tim Hatley–who also designed the outrageously colorful costumes and the eye-popping puppets–even managed to pay homage to Sondheim’s Into the Woods using massive moving forest trees and a rotating stage to help move sets.
The top-notch ensemble felt fresh from Broadway, sounding solid in the full cast numbers, “Story of My Life” and “Freak Flag.” Mr. Petersen’s Shrek stays true to Mike Meyer’s original creation and acting choices, but he balances between direct imitation and making the part his own.
The real stars, though, were Mr. Mingo’s sassy and buoyant Donkey and Ms. Denise’s divalicious Fiona. Mr. Mingo took a step beyond Eddie Murphy’s portrayal of the character by delivering his lines with a comic timing of an old vaudeville player. His facial expressions and physical acting were big enough to be appreciated by the balcony patrons without being too hammy. And Ms. Denise portrayed Fiona’s contradictory personality traits realistically. When she goes from being the pinnacle princess to a farting, burping tough woman, Ms. Denise makes the transition natural and funny.
Shrek The Musical is now playing through Sunday, June 26, at the DeVos Performance Hall in downtown Grand Rapids. Performances are tonight at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 6:30 p.m. with matinees on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are available through TicketMaster.
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