SHREK THE MUSICAL Set To Open Season For Theatre In The Park

Theatre in the Park opens its 57th outdoor summer season with Shrek The Musical. Broadway has given audiences tragic revolutions, dancing cats, helicopter witches, and singing founding fathers. But sometimes what you really need is a giant green ogre with emotional baggage. 

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical brings the beloved story to life with larger-than-life characters, high-energy musical numbers, outrageous comedy, and an unexpectedly heartfelt story about identity, belonging, and embracing what makes us different.

At the center of the story is Shrek, a grumpy green ogre who prefers solitude in his swamp over the company of, well, anyone. That peaceful existence is quickly disrupted when a parade of displaced fairy tale characters takes up residence on his property after being banished by the hilariously power- hungry Lord Farquaad. Determined to reclaim his swamp, Shrek agrees to rescue Princess Fiona from a dragon-guarded tower in exchange for getting his home back. Along the way, he’s joined by the endlessly chatty Donkey, whose complete disregard for personal boundaries makes him both an immediate nuisance and eventual friend. What follows is a wildly entertaining adventure packed with dragons, giant dance numbers, fairy tale mayhem, awkward romance, and more heart than audiences may expect from a story centered around a green ogre.

Known for its large-scale outdoor productions, Theatre in the Park transforms the story into an immersive theatrical event under the stars, making Shrek a natural fit for the venue.

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Revival of a Musical - Top 3

1. Ragtime

39.6% of votes

2. CATS: The Jellicle Ball

22% of votes

3. Chess

21.9% of votes

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