‘Shrek The Musical’ delivers laughs, belches and magic

It’s been said that any musical that can keep a young, first-time theatergoer quietly transfixed for two and a half hours must be worth seeing.

Stowe Theatre Guild’s production of “Shrek The Musical,” kept two 5-year-olds — my daughter and her best friend — spellbound last Saturday. Anyone looking for a show that offers the high-caliber song-and-dance numbers one would expect from a family musical, along with a timeless tale of love and friendship, will want to buy a ticket before the show finishes its run Aug. 1.

The show about misfits, friendship and self-acceptance follows the storyline to the 2001 Dreamworks film, but has original music. It’s suitable for all ages, from children to grandparents. Youngsters will enjoy the outrageous costumes and plentiful burping and flatulence; the older set will catch the show’s more subtle humor and double entendres.

The show centers on Shrek, a green ogre who, forced out on his own at age 7 because his parents believe he’s too ugly to find much success in life, rules over a stinky swamp.

He chases away outsiders and is furious when a band of fairy tale characters led by Pinocchio shows up uninvited. They explain that they’ve been banished from the Kingdom of Duloc by Lord Farquaad and Shrek is next for displacement.

Holding his deed to the swamp, Shrek sets out to meet the vertically challenged prince and fight for sovereignty over the swamp. Along the way, he’s befriended by a wisecracking, self-assured donkey who offers to help him.

To get the intruders off his land, Shrek agrees to be Lord Farquaad’s knight and rescue Princess Fiona from a tower surrounded by lava and guarded by a fire-breathing dragon. Only if he marries a princess can the not-so-regal Farquaad become king.

Turns out that Fiona has been under a spell and isolated in the tower for the past 20 years. The spell turns her from a beautiful princess to an ogre when the sun goes down; the spell will be broken when she finds her true love and “takes her true form.”

That final form will surprise audience members expecting to see Shrek transformed into a prince.

In true fairy tale form, the show’s rollicking finale reveals that everyone is destined to live happily ever after having learned to love themselves and love others for their inner qualities.

Matt Pierce plays Shrek with heart and soul, connecting well to the audience and even stepping offstage briefly to the delight of those seated in the first few rows.

David Gabaree offers a wiseass portrayal of Donkey. His perfect comedic timing is matched by his stellar vocals. His hilarious performance in “Make a Move” is one of the highlights of the show.

Heather Yassick nails the role of Princess Fiona, showcasing her character’s spunky and vulnerable sides equally well. She’s a delight in “I Know It’s Today” — sung with Taegen Yardley, who plays little Fiona, and Laura Valastro, who plays Fiona as a teenager.

Gregg Bonti’s knees get quite a workout during his over-the-top performance as the diminutive Lord Farquaad. His ability to keep himself from laughing out loud during his self-effacing one-liners or toppling over while mounting his steed is worth a Tony Award.

The supporting cast is equally talented in portraying the fairy tale characters we all know and love — from the three little pigs to the three blind mice — with aplomb.

Music director Daniel Bruce leads a professional orchestra hired for the show. The musicians play flawlessly, but having the pit hidden offstage — to make room for more seating — removes the joy and wonder of watching them perform.

Choreographer Taryn Noelle has a knack for getting any cast to look Radio City Music Hall-worthy. In this show, everyone manages to stay on beat and on the same foot, even when the entire cast is crammed onto the stage. Particularly noteworthy is the rousing tap dance number in “Morning Person.”

A good musical often stays with you after the show, whether it’s a lyric trapped in your head or a witty line that makes you guffaw.

This production’s magic was still in the air as we left the theater Saturday night.

“How did Fiona turn green at the end?” asked my daughter.

“Will Shrek go back to his swamp now?” asked her friend.

—Lisa McCormack

Local actors star in ‘Shrek’ musical

Stowe Theatre Guild’s “Shrek The Musical” continues this week and next at Town Hall Theatre on the second floor of the Akeley Soldiers Memorial Building, 67 Main St., Stowe. Performances are Thursday through Saturday, July 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, and Aug. 1 at 8 p.m., with additional family matinees on Saturday, July 25 and Aug. 1, at 2 p.m.

This tale follows the story introduced in the 2001 Dreamworks movie “Shrek.” The comical ogre and his buddy Donkey embark on a fantastical journey, encountering both wonderful and annoying fairy tale characters along the way.

Nadia Chudzik of Stowe appears in this family-friendly musical as Baby Bear. Hailing from Waterbury are Matt Pierce, starring in the title role, and Eliza Hill, playing the Fairy Godmother. Hyde Park residents include Dave Gabaree as Donkey, Kim Anetsberger as Mamma Bear, and Hailee Anetsberger as Little Shrek and the Frog Prince. Morrisville resident Tricia Grube plays Tweedle Dee and a Duloc Dancer.

Visit stowetheatre.com for more information. For tickets, follow the link from the website, email tickets@stowetheatre.com or call 253-3961.