Review: Try Getting Over this Ogre of a Show at CCTC's SHREK

The Cape Cod Theatre Company, home of the Harwich Junior Theatre, brings a stunning production of Shrek: The Musical to a Cape Cod stage and does an absolutely fine job of making sure audiences will see all the wonder to be found in this show. I am like a broken record when it comes to my praise of this group, but even at the risk of being redundant and sounding like a lovesick theater child will I once again say that CCTC has impressed me from the very beginning and continues to do so. As I sit in the audience for every show and continue to be dazzled by the energy and talent that each actor brings to a house expecting a good show, I can never seem to get enough. Watching these actors, from the many children involved to the adults, is nothing short of inspiring, as it is evident by merely looking at their faces that they want to be on that stage, and that fact has given me such joy in watching CCTC's productions over the past year.

With Shrek, things are no different, and this wonderful cast and crew gives audiences a show that is worthy of all the praise and accolades it receives from every critic and audience member alike who just feels better about the fundamental purpose of community theater after seeing this beauty of a show.

With book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Jeanine Tesori and hereby directed by both Robert Wilder and Mary Arnault, Shrek is the antithesis of a fairy tale in the midst of its beginnings. The title character, an ogre sent away by his parents at the age of seven to find his secluded, miserable place in the world, is soon forced to take on the burden of ridding his swamp of the fairy tale creatures that have been dumped there by a decree issued by Lord Farquaad, the not-yet-king of Dulac who does not want his kingdom tainted by the presence of these "freaks," as he calls them. In order to become King, Farquaad must find a princess to marry, and makes a deal with Shrek to grant complete ownership of the swam to the ogre if Shrek can slay the dragon who guards the tower in which his future wife is trapped and bring her to Duloc to be wed. Joined by a fast-talking, enthusiastic donkey who is ready for the adventure at hand with his new "best friend," Shrek embarks on a journey that results in much more than him saving the damsel in distress. This story is all about including fairy tales in the musical's intent of shattering what we think of as the norm through feelings of love, understanding and by means of lots and lots of good old laughter.

Shrek: the Musical is different from the movie in the sense that music really furthers the storyline and character progression. The audience understands that Shrek and Donkey are embarking on a trip, but the significance of this journey is magnified and given much more meaning because we can now acknowledge that Shrek, after singing an epic opening number, is a loner who really would rather do anything than be stuck with a donkey who is really looking out for his recent best friend at all costs and under all situations. What they come to share is an unconditional love that Shrek cannot comprehend until he is forced to see the happiness life can bring. Music also enhances the overall feel of the show by bringing such life to a production that would not nearly be as fun in play form. Not only are the songs catchy and just quite good (I just bought the Broadway recording), they prove that Shrek is not the only "big" phenomenon to be found in this production. From a rapping donkey to a hilarious competition between Shrek and Fiona to see who has the most impressive fart-burp combo, music just does so much to energize this show to the extent of making everyone absolutely fall in love with it.

Many are familiar with the story of this terrifying, reclusive ogre that prefers to spend his days away from mainstream society, and what few find their way to his swamp are moved with fear by the creature who inhabits it. Although it may seem that Shrek is the archetypal villain of the story, we can all acknowledge that this is not necessarily the case. Shrek is alone but not lonesome; he prefers his solitude over being unwillingly excluded because of the fact that he is, in the opinion of mostly everyone, a creature that should be avoided at all costs; that is what is "written" and understood, at least. Shrek does not want anyone to live amongst him because he was told, from a very young age, that lesser creatures like himself were not destined for anything great. Rather, such a fantasy that perhaps something good can be made of his life should not even be entertained because, again, the understood "fate" as set forth by precedents of ogres past condemns the future from being anything but rather bleak. Not only that, but any sense of individuality and the possibility of change is all but obsolete in this show; it is based on what people think, and people think badly of those who take some pleasure in big, green and nasty.

With themes such as these, what kind of musical can Shrek be considered, and what has Cape Cod's most recent production proven it to be? There's only one word to so apt to describe it: amazing. Only a musical can make something like this so exciting.

Many of the actors involved in this production are favorites from productions past, but there are some (including the lead himself!) who are new to the CCTC stage. One thing is certain though: everyone's combined efforts are seriously evident and much appreciated by this critic, at least, in the beautiful telling of this story.

James O'Neill, who plays Shrek, makes it seriously hard to believe that this is only his third show - seriously. His performance as the show's great big hero is just really well done, but he doesn't play his character in a way that's too big to be believed; indeed, he makes Shrek more human and subject to his own personal misgivings, allowing our main character to hardly ever appear the monster and instead one soon governed by his feelings. Even as a monster the audience can feel that there is something so much more to his being, and O'Neill is able to effortlessly bring that out - that duality that makes a character so beautiful. It was really fascinating to watch O'Neill navigate his way from being angry at the world to admitting that he might be fairing so well alone as he might have otherwise thought. O'Neill makes audiences understand why Shrek is a character that merits a musical named in his honor, so what an absolutely wonderful job!

Terrence Brady as Donkey makes being Shrek's lovable and optimistic travel buddy look almost too easy, as he plays the role so naturally that one could only imagine him to be this way apart from his character! Even though Donkey's character demands constant motion in contrast to Shrek's impenetrable and more stagnant stance, Brady never tires of trying to bring out the humanity in Shrek with his optimism and beautiful voice, and I give him the most credit in the world to adopt such a character as his own and play it in the sense that I can say he gives one of the most inspiring performances I've ever seen. His character is so charming but he, too, must be versatile in the face of all the defiance Shrek throws his way, and Brady navigates these changes well - all while adding just the right amount of "I told you so!" that makes everyone wish he or she had a friend like Donkey. That, and his facial expressions in reaction to what absurdity occurs on stage are just priceless.

Anne Vohs as Princess Fiona conjures up a whole new imagine when one imagines what a princess should be like; what this musical teaches is that pre-conceived images are so last year, and Vohs' spunky presentation of the Princess trapped in a dragon guarded tower is perfection. Not only does she have an amazing powerhouse voice that is experienced seconds before she appears on stage, but that voice is joined by a beautiful ability to act the part of Fiona - the beautiful, feisty princess that, like Shrek, gradually understands that what is destined to happen does not always need to mold an individual's understanding of the world. Both Shrek and Fiona both transform in more ways than one, and how these two actors work together on stage to make those changes come about is not only convincing - it is a director's fairy tale come true.

Ari Lew as Lord Farquaad is brilliant. He is another actor who doesn't seem to work very hard at being comfortable on stage in whatever role he is given (although obviously he does), and watching him in Shrek is no different. His performance as the leader of Duloc does not fall short in any way, as he portrays Farquaad as authoritative but also more comical than I ever remember the character being played, and it really makes the audience appreciate the presence of the "villain" that shouldn't otherwise be so well-liked - very much like he did as Bill Sikes in Oliver! Hannaah Carrita as the Dragon really belongs on the stage - that voice! She brings a perfect combination of what can only be described as the expected frightening nature of a dragon mixed with the unexpected shyness of a high school girl...a girl who been waiting for her Prince Charming for far too long. There is a subtlety about her performance that makes those intermittent displays of power that much more potent, and I really enjoyed watching her take over that stage.

Even though I cannot say something about everyone (although they would all be good things!), the ensemble in this show really made some of the best musical numbers shine. Songs like "Freak Flag" and "This is Our Story" wouldn't have the same effect and message if the ensemble didn't believe in what it was singing, and as I've said, there is so much energy and desire to be found in everyone's voice that they've undoubtedly succeeded in making the absolute most of this show. Joined by a wonderful orchestra led by Mr. Wilder and with the contributions of Choreographer Suzette Huchinson and Costumers Karen and Diana Milkey (and all others who helped but there are just too many to name!), this show proves that community theater, like fairy tales, can do a little reckoning of its own.

Shrek: The Musical began performances at the Cape Cod Theatre Company (home of the Harwich Junior Theatre) on February 12th and will continue thru March 6th. CCTC is located at the Harwich/Dennis border at 105 Division Street. The performance schedule is as follows: Fridays at 7:30 and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00. Ticket prices range from $15-$25 and can be purchased by visiting the box office, by calling (508) 432-2002 or by taking a look at www.hjtcapecod.org. Light snacks and drinks are sold during intermission. Please help CCTC celebrate its sixty-fifth season by supporting a wonderful, wonderful show.

To post a comment, you must register and login.