BWW Interviews: SHREK's Merritt David Janes on Playing a Villain and Why this Musical Rivals the Film

The green ogre with a heart of gold is taking over Toronto this spring, as Shrek the Musical stomps into this city this week.  Based on the popular film franchise, Shrek the Musical brings Princess Fiona, Donkey, Lord Farquaad, The Gingerbread Man and all your favourite characters to life in a live action musical production that follows the storyline of the first film.

Written by Pulitzer Prize winning author-lyricist David Lindsay-Abaire and composer Jeanine Tesori, Shrek the Musical brings new original songs to the familiar storyline of a loveable green ogre on a quest to find friendship and love. 

Merritt David Janes plays the role of Lord Farquaad, complete with a costume contraption to ensure he has the short stature made famous by John Lithgow in the film.  The ‘vertically challenged villain’ (as he has affectionately dubbed himself) sat down to talk with BWW about the challenges of playing a role on his knees, the show’s musical theatre in-jokes, and why he feels the musical is even better than the film:

Congratulations on Shrek! How was your week in Montreal?

It's been a great week in Montreal, we've had a wonderful run and some good reviews and are looking forward to playing Toronto!  Montreal was fantastic, and a great welcome to Canada.  I’m originally from Vermont so this is only about an hour and a half away from my hometown which is nice.  I’ve had a few visitors on this particular stop.

Will this be your first time in Toronto?

This will be my second time in Toronto.  I was there for a day once before and I had wished that I could have stayed longer, so I’m very excited to be in the city for two weeks.

You’ve got some big (or small as the case may be) shoes to fill with such predecessors as John Lithgow and Christopher Sieber.  How did you go about making the role your own?

You have to let your character develop naturally and in a way where it is your own and make sure you don’t forget yourself and what you can bring to the role in the process.  I had definitely seen the movie and I have seen clips of Christopher Sieber on Broadway and I thought they were both fantastic and inspired certain things in my performance.  Through the development of their inspiration I’ve been able to come up with my own take on the character and I think it’s a fresh, new and original take on it that everyone can enjoy.

You perform most of this show on your knees – how do you protect them?

I have a lot of padding in the rigged contraption that I wear.  It’s got fake legs and allows me to walk around.  It took about five weeks to get used to the balance and the different choreography I need to do while I’m down there.  Now it’s almost like second nature.  I’m not going to lie, sometimes on a two show day my legs really feel like jelly, but the tour bus is probably worse for my body than the walking on my knees!

As the villain of the piece, how have you found the reaction from kids?

Yep, I’m the vertically challenged villain.  The reaction has been great, the story line isn’t Shakespeare, it’s easy to follow and it’s very entertaining. I would say even more so than any other show I’ve done.  It’s not just a kids show and it’s not just an adult show, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.  It’s packed with references to other musicals and all the other fairy tales that the parents and the older people in the audience can enjoy. 

So it could have a special appeal to theatre geeks who can try and spot all the references? Do you still have your famous Wicked line?

Absolutely! Theatre geeks will love it and people who have never seen the movie will love it.  It’s a crowd pleaser.

How about for people who loved the film? What about the live production will appeal to die-hards who don’t understand why it needed to be made into a musical?

I think I actually like the musical better and here’s why – it follows the story of the film and the same plot references, but it adds everything that the film doesn’t have such as choreography and musical numbers.  Plus it’s kept the big musical number from the film ‘I’m a Believer’  So you’ve got all the great stuff from the film plus many new things that really add to the energy of the show and make it something a bit more than what the film had.

Finally, do you think this is the type of show that can appeal to really young children? What would you say the age range should be?

I think it can really appeal to all ages.  I just had a family member come who was only four years old and they really enjoyed this being their first theatre experience.  The music is great and the dancing is great and it’s very visual. For young children I think it’s important for them to have a really visual show and this gives them that.

Also, even if Shrek the Musical isn't on the top of someone's list for shows they want to see, I think they should come check it out.  We don't want people thinking that since they saw the movie there's no point - we have a fantastic show and everyone will love it.  Lord Farquaad is offering his personal guarantee, if you come and give us a chance, you will have a fantastic time!

When and Where?

Shrek the Musical

The Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts

Performance Schedule:

March 20^th – April 1^st

Tuesday – Saturday at 7:30PM

Wed, Saturday and Sunday at 2PM

Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 416-644-3665 or online at www.dancaptickets.com

To post a comment, you must register and login.