I will confess that I wasn't too hyped to see Shrek: The Musical. I loved the movie and couldn't see how a stage version could tell the story any better. But I was (as I so often am) wrong. It IS the same story as the DreamWorks film: a lonely ogre and must save a feisty princess in order to get the deed to his swamp from a vertically challenged lord desperate to become a king. But the music is all new for the stage. Many of the better jokes from the film are intact, and they've added s some theatre-related in-jokes as well. There are few things more fun than watching people have a blast, and this cast seems to be enjoying every minute of their time onstage. In particular, Alan Mingo, Jr. as Donkey, is pure joy to watch. Eric Petersen as Shrek is less effective in my opinion, but I do think his challenge of trying to act through all that makeup would be trying for anyone. My apology to the understudy for Princess Fiona who performed the night I attended, as I can't remember her name, but she was a delight as well. And David F.M. Vaughn as the super-short Lord Farquaad sings, dances, and jokes, all while performing the entire show on his knees. What a trouper. Every voice was spectacular. The costumes are gorgeous. The orchestra sounds full even though it's a team of five - almost too full at times; I occasionally wished for more vocals, less orchestra. And, the lighting and sets are simply brilliant. There are the prerequisite flatulence jokes, and I can always do without

that. But I'm obviously in the minority on this point, as the entire audience howled with laughter. It was fun to see kids, parents and grandparents all enjoying a production together. And I hope you get the opportunity to enjoy it, too! To get more info on Shrek: The Musical at the Fabulous Fox, click HERE.

I will confess that I wasn't too hyped to see Shrek: The Musical. I loved the movie and couldn't see how a stage version could tell the story any better. But I was (as I so often am) wrong. It IS the same story as the DreamWorks film: a lonely ogre and must save a feisty princess in order to get the deed to his swamp from a vertically challenged lord desperate to become a king. But the music is all new for the stage. Many of the better jokes from the film are intact, and they've added s some theatre-related in-jokes as well. There are few things more fun than watching people have a blast, and this cast seems to be enjoying every minute of their time onstage. In particular, Alan Mingo, Jr. as Donkey, is pure joy to watch. Eric Petersen as Shrek is less effective in my opinion, but I do think his challenge of trying to act through all that makeup would be trying for anyone. My apology to the understudy for Princess Fiona who performed the night I attended, as I can't remember her name, but she was a delight as well. And David F.M. Vaughn as the super-short Lord Farquaad sings, dances, and jokes, all while performing the entire show on his knees. What a trouper. Every voice was spectacular. The costumes are gorgeous. The orchestra sounds full even though it's a team of five - almost too full at times; I occasionally wished for more vocals, less orchestra. And, the lighting and sets are simply brilliant. There are the prerequisite flatulence jokes, and I can always do without that. But I'm obviously in the minority on this point, as the entire audience howled with laughter. It was fun to see kids, parents and grandparents all enjoying a production together. And I hope you get the opportunity to enjoy it, too! To get more info on Shrek: The Musical at the Fabulous Fox, click HERE.