Review: SHREK THE MUSICAL Turns the Swamp into a Spectacle at Massey Theatre

“Ogres are like onions.” It’s one of the most quoted lines from Shrek, and it captures the heart of the story better than any traditional fairy tale opening. This spring, Royal City Musical Theatre brings SHREK THE MUSICAL to the stage from April 17 to May 3 at the Massey Theatre, where the story unfolds layer by layer. What starts as a simple quest quickly opens up into something more, filled with unlikely friendships, fairy tale chaos, and a love story that refuses to fit a traditional mold. 

Based on the hit 2001 DreamWorks film and the original book by William Steig, the stage adaptation builds on familiar characters while expanding their world through music by Jeanine Tesori and a book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. Shrek wants nothing more than to be left alone, but that changes when a group of fairy tale misfits ends up in his swamp. To get his home back, he agrees to rescue Princess Fiona for Lord Farquaad. With Donkey along for the ride, the story grows into something more personal than expected. Beneath the jokes, it’s a story about identity, acceptance, and finding where you fit.

Photo Credit: Moonrider Productions

SHREK THE MUSICAL started taking shape in the early 2000s after the film became a hit. It first ran in Seattle before opening on Broadway in December 2008, where it stayed for over a year and picked up several award nominations, including eight Tony nods. From there, the show continued to grow, going on to tour across North America and later reaching the West End.

With this production, Royal City Musical Theatre captures both the scale and the heart of the show. The spectacle is there, but what stands out is the idea at the centre of it. Everyone has layers, and SHREK THE MUSICAL takes its time revealing them.

Royal City Musical Theatre’s staging stands out right away with its layout. The live orchestra sits in full view, positioned within a curved extension of the stage that wraps around them. It’s not just a visual choice, it changes how the show comes across. Characters move along this path throughout the performance, bringing scenes closer and making everything feel more up close. It adds a level of immersion that fits a show like SHREK THE MUSICAL and has become a signature touch for the company.

Photo Credit: Moonrider Productions

That sense of connection carries into the performances, starting with Tanner Zerr as Shrek. His entrance lands well, especially with the added backstory that shows a younger version of Shrek before shifting into adult life in the swamp. It gives more weight to his isolation and helps frame the emotional side of the story early. Zerr holds the show together, building strong chemistry with the cast, especially with Madison Simms as Fiona. Simms brings a clear sense of confidence to the role, balancing humour with emotion. Their banter feels natural, and their relationship develops in a way that feels believable rather than forced. 

Chris Francisque’s Donkey is one of the most memorable performances of the night. He captures the character’s energy from the film while adding his own personality, with quick delivery and strong comedic timing. His entrance gets an immediate reaction, and his ongoing jokes, including his running “noble steed” comments, keep the momentum going. His scenes with Alexis Hope’s Dragon stand out, especially in the dungeon sequence where Shrek rescues Fiona. The use of puppetry to bring Dragon to life works well, with Hope acting as the voice and personality behind the character. The combination creates a moment that feels both technically impressive and fun to watch. 

 Photo Credit: Moonrider Productions

Kamyar Pazandeh brings a high level of energy to Lord Farquaad, fully committing to the role’s physical comedy and exaggerated personality. His facial expressions and small details in his delivery keep the character engaging throughout. The stage illusion used to create Farquaad’s short stature is handled in a way that gets consistent laughs without losing impact. His scenes, especially the exchange with Sarah Houghton’s Gingy during the “Muffin Man” moment, are among the most effective comedic beats in the show. Houghton handles both Gingy and the Sugar Plum Fairy with strong timing, making each appearance count. 

The ensemble numbers bring a lot of life to the production. “Story Of My Life" stands out as a highlight, combining multiple fairy tale characters with strong vocals, humour, and outstanding choreography. It captures the tone of the show and keeps the audience engaged. “What’s Up, Duloc?” also lands well, especially in its reprise, where Farquaad’s appearance adds another visual gag. These moments reflect what keeps audiences coming back to musical theatre at the Massey Theatre, strong group energy and a clear sense of fun! 

There are also smaller details that add to the experience. The production includes subtle updates in the dialogue, with quick references to pop culture and even a nod to the Massey Theatre itself. These moments feel natural and get strong reactions from the audience. At the same time, the show keeps its iconic lines and scenes, including moments like the bird exploding during Fiona’s singing, which land well with the crowd. Even the more playful humour, like the well-timed burps and farts, fits the tone and adds to the charm of the musical rather than taking away from it. 

Photo Credit: Moonrider Productions

One of the most memorable musical moments comes from “I Know It’s Today,” which brings together young, teen, and adult Fiona. With Nora Cowan and Hannah Durnin alternating as Young Fiona, Alicia Malelang and Kalayna Kozak alternating as Teen Fiona, and Madison Simms as Adult Fiona, the number blends their voices in a way that highlights Fiona’s growth over time. It adds emotional context to her character and stands out as one of the more heartfelt moments in the show. 

From a technical standpoint, the sound design is mostly clear, with principal performers coming through strongly. Some of the larger ensemble moments feel less balanced, particularly when many microphones are active at once, though this is understandable given the scale of those scenes. The show also leans heavily on its musical numbers, often moving quickly from dialogue into song. While this keeps the pacing consistent, it can make certain emotional moments feel a bit rushed, especially when a scene feels like it is just starting to build.  

Photo Credit: Moonrider Productions

The supporting cast helps round out the world with a wide range of characters, keeping the stage active and full from start to finish. Performers including Eric Timuss as Pinocchio, Colton Fyfe as Big Bad Wolf and Thelonius, Simon Abraham, Tony Dizon, and Troy Banks as the Three Little Pigs, Jenny Nguyen as the White Rabbit, Kadia Kindersley as the Wicked Witch, Amy Jean McElwain as the Fairy Godmother, Pier Francesco as Peter Pan and the Pied Piper, Madison Raybould as the Ugly Duckling, Heather Mislang, Matthew Valinho, and Statia Benny as the Three Bears, Alyson Vance as the Mad Hatter, Amanda Spinosa as Humpty Dumpty, Camille Griffiths as the Shoemaker’s Elf, Amanda Russell and Thomas Schultes as Mama and Papa Ogre, Spencer Swift as the Captain of the Guard, and Claire Stewart as Swing all play a part in building that energy. Under the direction of Chris Adams, the production keeps a clear sense of pace and tone, supported by Tracey Power’s choreography and Angus Kellett’s musical direction. The design work also stands out, from Robert Sondergaard’s lighting to Rick Colhoun’s sound, along with the detailed props and prosthetics that help shape the world on stage.

By the end of the night, SHREK THE MUSICAL leaves the audience with a clear sense of why this story has lasted as long as it has. It’s easy to come in expecting something light and familiar, but the show builds into something more layered along the way. Between the performances, the humour, and the scale of the production, there’s a lot to take in, but it’s the smaller moments that tend to stick. It’s a show that invites you to have fun, but also gives you something to think about on the way out.

SHREK THE MUSICAL presented by Royal City Musical Theatre plays at the Massey Theatre in New Westminster, BC from April 17 to May 3, 2026. For more information about the show and to purchase tickets, visit the link below. 

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