Review: Shrek: The Musical

Shrek: The Musical

Joan Marcus for DreamWorks Theatricals

The time has come for Disney to bid farewell to its Broadway kiddie monopoly. DreamWorks’ Shrek: The Musical, based on the studio’s hit animated film of the same name, offers audiences of all ages plenty to gawk at, including jaw-dropping special effects, over-the-top costumes and cartoon-inspired sets that rival Mickey Mouse & Co.’s offerings. But will viewers leave the theater feeling like they’ve just lived happily ever after?

Probably (at least until the credit card bill comes in). While flawed and weighed down by overly complicated sets and costumes, the show is, overall, a good time, from its darkly funny opening (a pair of ogre parents sending seven-year-old Shrek out into the world to fend for himself) to its classic wedding ending.

For those who missed the movie, which itself was based on William Steig’s charming fractured fairy tale, Shrek is about an antisocial ogre who, under duress from evil Lord Farquaad, sets out to rescue Fiona, a princess trapped in a castle. Despite its familiar story line, there’s a lot that differentiates Shrek from its picture-perfect Disney princess competitors. In fact, its influences, while very Broadway, rarely come from the House of Mouse. When the assorted fairytale characters converge onstage, the show recalls Into the Woods. In one song, Mama Bear breaks into her own take on “Rose’s Turn” from Gypsy. And the penultimate number, “Let Your Freak Flag Fly,” which spells out the show’s moral--that being weird, different, ugly or even deformed is beautiful, too--is reminiscent of Rent’s Act I closer, “La Vie Bohème.”

There are abundant pop-culture references, from Project Runway to Judy Blume, to keep parents smiling. Save for one memorable “Anything You Can Do”–type of scene, in which Shrek and Fiona fall for each other’s ability to pass gas, the comedy is squarely aimed at adults.

The all-star Broadway cast does just fine, although at times the performers are eclipsed by sheer spectacle. Tony-winner Foster as Fiona and Sieber as Farquaad (in a really challenging costume) bring fresh, vibrant humor to their roles. As Shrek and his sidekick, Donkey, James and Breaker have more trouble distinguishing themselves. Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy are tough acts to follow, and James’s one-note hero in particular won’t win kids’ hearts.

But that won’t stop them from loving the show. Even if the acting, jokes and numbers are all fairly pedestrian, children will go gaga for the production itself. And with a rumored budget of $25 million, isn’t that what they should be noticing, anyway?—Julia Israel

Shrek: The Musical plays at the Broadway Theater. Tickets: $41.50–$301.50