Review: Poteet Theatre's SHREK THE MUSICAL Hits All The Right Notes

Playing through December 4th, SHREK THE MUSICAL at Poteet Theatre is a treat through and through, drawing energy from a few specially commendable performances.

Angela Prock directs a cast full of youth and energy. She keeps the pace moving and the jokes flowing steadily, bringing out the witticisms in David Lindsay-Abaire's script, and adding a few special laughs of her own.

Stephen Scott Stark as the titular ogre lets his gorgeous tenor soar. Though perhaps not the most imposing figure when it comes to Shrek's ogre-ly rough edges, Stark accentuates composer Jeanine Tesori's songs in a way many other actors could not. Robert Cooper III as Lord Farquaad made the most of his "small" role (see what I did there?) No really, every time Cooper made his entrance-usually quite slowly and hilariously-I was always eager to see what he would do next...and he never disappointed. As Shrek's lovable-yet-annoying sidekick Donkey, Charlie Ludden invariably brightened up the stage. He kept the innocence and pure heart of the character, like a puppy who just won't leave you alone...and after awhile, you're awfully glad he stuck around. One of the most exciting vocal elements of the evening was Jenny Rader as Dragon. Assisted by a group of puppeteers to create the Dragon, Rader's sass and spunk has never been more apparent than in this role-she gets to use her knockout voice to full effect.

The Fairy-Tale Creatures provided some of the most side-splitting moments of the show. Especially Logan Boyd as Pinocchio, Lindsay Nicole Steinberg as Gingy/Sugar Plum Fairy, and Collin Campbell McCook as the White Rabbit-they practically steal every scene they're in. In all of the Fairy-Tale numbers, I consistently found myself drawn to their facial expressions and character choices. Elizabeth Dragoo also impressed me; often a de-facto leader to the other Fairy-Tale Creatures, Dragoo reinvented the cliche of the lovable Fairy Godmother and invigorated it with a cheeky apathy.

The main standout of the evening for me, however, was Carly Ann Moore as Fiona. From the moment she appeared, Moore brings a sense of ease and spontaneity to her Fiona. She kept the zany antics of her character grounded in the pain and angst of a woman who has spent most of her life alone. "Morning Person" is a notable highlight of the show, accentuating Moore's abilities as a comedienne. I specifically enjoyed the scene where Shrek and Fiona discover their romantic connection in the most flatulent manner; Moore and Stark played off each other well, enjoying their one-upmanship together almost as much as the audience did.

The choreography from Lara Randolph was lively and exciting. Using musical theatre staples, Randolph was able to take these familiar steps and motivate the characters with specificity and inventiveness. Chad Hester's set design made great use of the stage space; he kept everything open and spacious, adding specific pieces to create a clear sense of place in the swampy environment.

Anchored by distinct performances from Moore and Stark as Fiona and Shrek, I recommend Poteet's Shrek the Musical to anyone looking for an evening filled with laughter and great voices. Running through December 4th, get your tickets here.

SHREK THE MUSICAL

Presented by Poteet Theatre. Based on the Dreamworks Animation motion picture and the book by William Steig; book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire; music by Jeanine Tesori; directed by Angela Prock; choreography by Lara Randolph; music direction by Chad Haney; sets by Chad Hester; costumes by Kristy Johnson; wig supervision by Bailey Maxwell; makeup design by Megan Carpenter.

WITH: Stephen Scott Stark (Shrek), Carly Ann Moore (Princess Fiona), Robert Cooper III (Lord Farquaad), Charlie Ludden (Donkey), Jenny Rader (Dragon), Logan Boyd (Pinocchio), Lindsay Nicole Steinberg (Gingy / Sugar Plum Fairy), Elizabeth Dragoo (Fairy Godmother), and Collin Campbell McCook (White Rabbit).

Photo Credit: Michael Markmiller, ThankYouFive Photography

To post a comment, you must register and login.

 

---

Join Team BroadwayWorld

Are you an avid theatergoer? We're looking for people like you to share your thoughts and insights with our readers. Team BroadwayWorld members get access to shows to review, conduct interviews with artists, and the opportunity to meet and network with fellow theatre lovers and arts workers.

Interested? Learn more here.

---