Shrek: The Musical opened last weekend in the Clear Creek auditorium. The show is a musical adaptation of the beloved animated film franchise and is directed by CCHS’s Jennifer Alcala. The superb cast is led by senior Josue Boudreau as the title character, senior Erin Svetlik as Fiona, junior Mia Allen as Donkey, and junior Carson O’Neal as Lord Farquaad.
Shrek: The Musical follows Shrek, a grumpy ogre who lives a solitary lie in his beloved swamp. His solitude is interrupted by a large group of fairy-tale creatures who have been evicted from the homes in nearby Duloc by the villainous Lord Farquaad. In order to get his swamp back, Shrek agrees to rescue Princess Fiona from a dragon-guarded tower so that Farquaad can marry her. Along the way, he is joined by the fast-talking Donkey and together they discover the value of friendship, being true to yourself, and that happily ever after may not look like you expect.
The production is truly fantastic. Every performer gives their all and the musical numbers are exceptionally well-choreographed. The minimalist stage design serves the story well and is enhanced by the lights designed by senior Sophia Trejo. Additionally, the dragon, manned by puppeteers Blake Dusek (10), Michael Gordon (10), Zana Baker (10), and Addie Detenbeck (11), is an impressive spectacle.
Among the supporting cast, Detenbeck stands out as Gingy with great comic delivery and a stellar singing voice. Sophomore Nolan Dunn also shines as Pinocchio, nailing the puppet physicality and an appropriately squeaky voice. Both performers shine, as does the rest of the supporting cast, during “Freak Flag,” one of the show’s strongest moments.
As for the principal players, Boudreau does a solid job portraying the famed green ogre, softening the character as the story unfolds and delivering an excellent vocal performance. Svetlik sparkles as Fiona, with strong vocals and a warm presence, she shines in every scene. O’Neal brings a huge dose of comedy in spite of his character’s small stature, standing out while spending nearly the entire play on his knees.
The true breakout performance in the play belongs to Allen’s portrayal of Donkey. Navigating the stage in what must be an uncomfortably hot donkey suit, Allen nails the speedy delivery, physical comedy, and charisma required of the classic sidekick. Her impressive singing voice is on display throughout, with her best performance coming during “Make a Move.”
Overall, the production makes for a fantastic night at the theater that is well worth the price of admission. Shrek: The Musical runs for one more weekend. Show times are at 7:00pm on Friday, 1/30, and Saturday, 1/31, as well as 3:00pm on Sunday, 2/1. Tickets can be purchased at https://cctd.ludus.com
