The Pacific Conservatory Theatre's production of 'Shrek The Musical' is comedy at its best

So many fairytale stories involve flawless princesses, dashing heroes, and endings wrapped up in a bow. Shrek is not one of those stories.

The story of the big, smelly, and rude ogre Shrek premiered with the book Shrek! in 1990, which was the basis for the Dreamworks film Shrek in 2001. In 2008, the story was repurposed for the stage in Shrek The Musical, which brought the spirit of the book to life in the way only live theater can.

The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) wisely scheduled its production of Shrek The Musical as the premiere to its summer season. The colorful, lyrical play is totally within PCPA’s wheelhouse. Anyone who saw PCPA’s production of Monty Python’s Spamalot in the summer of 2013 can expect a similar level of spectacle and incredibly uproarious humor.

click to enlarge The Pacific Conservatory Theatre's production of 'Shrek The Musical' is comedy at its best
PHOTO COURTESY OF LUIS ESCOBAR/REFLECTIONS PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
UNLIKELY FRIENDS: The big, green ogre Shrek (Erik Stein) finds an unlikely friend in Donkey (Nathan Andrew Riley) in PCPA’s production of 'Shrek The Musical.'

The story, of course, revolves around the grumpy, anti-social, and isolated ogre Shrek (Erik Stein), who wants nothing more than to remain undisturbed in the swamp where he lives. Shrek The Musical gives a poignant backstory not found in the Shrek film, explaining how his parents sent the ogre away at the age of 7. We also learn the very same happened to a young princess, Fiona (Karin Hendricks), who at the age of 7 was also sent away, but to live in a tower all alone.

The opening number “Big Bright Beautiful World” illustrates the real source of Shrek’s pain and grumpiness, that just by the nature of who he is, he will always be an outcast. But once grown up, the hulking green monster finds solace in the fear everyone feels at his very sight—he’d rather be alone.

Erik Stein gives Shrek gruff charm with his Scottish brogue, strong singing voice, and perfect comedic sense, whether Shrek is burping, farting, or roaring with ferocious might. When Shrek gets grumpy, Stein shares something about the character’s vulnerability, so you can’t help but like him.

And Shrek certainly gets grumpy when a whole cavalcade of fairy tale characters are evicted from their homes and sent to his swamp. The group of recognizable characters from Disney, nursery rhymes, and other fairy tales are homeless thanks to Lord Farquaad (Michael Jenkinson), who banished them from the land of Duloc for being freaks.

The group includes characters like the Three Little Pigs (William Hoshida, Zach Johnson, and Casey Kooyman), the Wicked Witch (Giana Bommarito), Little Bo Peep (Courtney Reece), and Peter Pan (Matt Cardenas). PCPA resident artist George Walker stands out among the group as Pinocchio, delivering a comedic and aptly musical performance, all in falsetto.

The assorted band of outcasts implores Shrek to confront Farquaad to let them return home and thus regain his swamp. Out of sheer frustration with the intrusion, he embarks on a mission to help them return home, but not before meeting another important character.

We meet Shrek’s most unlikely friend, Donkey (Nathan Andrew Riley), as he’s chased by more of Farquaad’s goons, who tell Shrek that the talking donkey will be put to death for simply being out of the norm. They also imply the same fate should befall Shrek. Big mistake.

Donkey is more than grateful to the ogre for chasing them away and doesn’t want to leave his side. Shrek doesn’t want anything to do with the talkative ass and tries to scare him away with his usual ogre tactics, which don’t bother Donkey at all. In the song “Don’t Let Me Go,” Riley displays his powerful singing voice and full commitment to the delightful character Donkey, who wins over Shrek begrudgingly.

Once the unlikely duo makes it to Duloc, they are met with the cookie cutter citizenry of the kingdom run by the tiny tyrant Lord Farquaad. The kind of evil Farquaad is capable of is apparent in the character’s introductory scene, when he acquires vital information by torturing none other than the tiny Gingerbread Man, who is made possible by PCPA’s creative production department. 

Michael Jenkinson’s performance as Farquaad is hands down one of the funniest things you can see this theater season. Thanks to the incredible skill of PCPA’s costume designer Eddy L. Barrows, Jenkinson delivers the performance on padded knees, obscured of course, with two tiny legs and feet in front. Jenkinson’s skill as a dancer and choreographer serve him well as a physical comedian in the role.

Farquaad wants to solidify his regime with the title king, so he needs to marry a princess. He learns of Fiona, trapped in her castle, thanks to his enhanced interrogation of the Gingerbread Man, and hopes to name one of his citizens as the brave knight who will rescue her when Shrek confronts the tiny tyrant about his swamp. The two strike up a deal: If Shrek rescues Fiona he can get his swamp back, and so Shrek and Donkey take to the road again.

The Pacific Conservatory Theatre's production of 'Shrek The Musical' is comedy at its best
CATCH THE SHOW: PCPA The Pacific Conservatory Theatre presents its production of Shrek The Musical, showing through July 1, Wednesdays through Sundays at the Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang. Cost is $38.50 to $49.50. More info: 922-8313 or pcpa.org.

Poor Fiona, who has been trapped in her castle tower for 20 years, sings a song of hope, which spans across her decades there. The child Fiona (Skylar Platt or Charlotte Oh), the teen Fiona (Quinn Farley), and adult Fiona (Hendricks) all sing together, hoping that today will be the day her knight in shining armor comes.

When Shrek and Donkey finally storm the castle, they are met with more than a couple of obstacles, including a hot lava moat, bearded prisoners, a perilous climb, and even a flying, singing, dancing dragon. And to think, this is all before intermission!

Every department of PCPA brought their A game to Shrek The Musical. The incredible musical accompaniment under Music Director Callum Morris is crystal clear, soulful, and just plain fun. The choreography work by Michael Jenkinson is extensive, as is especially clear during his comedic and involved dance numbers. The costume design by Barrows is steeped in beauty and humor, with more than a few tricks hidden in as well. 

Action-packed or comedic sound effects—like a flatulent duel between two main characters—are perfectly tailored by sound designer Elisabeth Weidner. Jason Bolen’s scenic design is ingenious, illustrating the storybook tale with colorful charm and always morphing versatility. And everything glows and comes alive under the lights, choreographed perfectly by lighting designer Jennifer Zornow.

PCPA’s production of Shrek The Musical is spectacular in every sense of the word, and serves as a sensational middle point to an already blockbuster season at the conservatory. The show, which premiered at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria, now shows at the outdoor Solvang Festival Theater through the month. Kids, adults, it doesn’t matter your age, Shrek The Musical is some of the best fun you’re going to have at the theater this summer. 

Arts Editor Joe Payne strongly identified with many of Shrek’s traits. Contact him at [email protected].

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