Shrek the Musical delivers big on story, but the music is stuck in the swamp

Nicholas Hambruch As Shrek // Credit: Cyorkphoto3

Twenty-three years after the original film influenced generations of families, Shrek the Musical revives the story in its national tour including Kansas City’s Starlight Theater.

As someone who has never seen or loved the original films, I was uniquely suited to decide if this musical can hold its own or if it only succeeds due to the film’s popularity.

Growing up, Shrek was a prohibited movie in my very lady-like household. My mother would allow things like Pride and Prejudice, and I loved The Princess Bride, but the bathroom humor of Shrek alienated it from our home. This led to a bias against the less “classy” humor that I tried to put aside for this production.

So while this story is notorious, this is how I saw it as a Shrek virgin.

Timmy Lewis As Lord Farquaad // Photo Credit: Cyorkphoto

As per what I assume is an Ogre cultural tradition, Shrek is abandoned at the age of seven and accepts his life as an ugly, stinky outcast. He doesn’t attempt to make a single change but often complains about his life. That is till one donkey sees him as an individual. Suddenly, Shrek realizes that there are possibilities beyond what he has always been told. Donkey opens the cage that was never locked but Shrek always kept closed, and suddenly this Ogre could think beyond his confines. This feeling culminates into his love for a princess who was trying to escape her own reality by marrying any prince available.

Farquaad, who I have been told is supposed to sound like Fuck-wad and take on the mannerisms of Trump, needs a queen to validate his king-ness and wants all the weirdoes to get away from him so he is not reminded of his own freakishness (being bald?). Shrek and Fiona falling in love makes sense, but Farquaad dying throws off the moral of the story for me.

Even though this film is all about seeing what is beyond the surface and breaking free of the beliefs that trap us, Farquaad is killed at the first chance. The dragon (who is having sexual relations with Donkey) eats the man in front of everybody and they do not even acknowledge his death.

Perhaps there was simply no redemption possible for Farquaad and the moral is that if you continue to reject a piece of yourself, those who embrace individuality will overtake you.   ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Nicholas Hamburch As Shrek Cecily Donne Davis As Princess Fiona // Photo Credit: Cyorkphoto

The writers practice the lesson they teach of remaining weird, and there is not a single conventional character. The references to classic fairytales make it entertaining for adults and children alike, but beyond the basic script, I do not know how much the music endeared me to the story. While there is such a strong, clever plot, the songs are often repetitive and simple. Pair this with squeaky voices and the natural chaos of Shrek, and it comes off as slightly annoying and largely unmemorable. The only song I recall is when Shrek and Fiona are falling in love and flatulating on each other because I knew how much my mother would not approve. I don’t even remember the tune, just the toots. The songs should be reworked to have the same uniqueness of every other aspect of Shrek. Otherwise, they just take up time. 

What I liked about this musical was simply the story of Shrek. If a story is being reused, then the effort saved must be seen somewhere else in the production; otherwise, it’s pointless to resurrect. It’s an opportunity for people to feel nostalgia rather than appreciate a production on its own. So if you haven’t seen Shrek, just watch the movie. If you grew up with Shrek, take your childhood friends and relive the first time you were introduced to this Ogre and his epic quest.