“SHREK THE MUSICAL,” through March 28, Davis Center for the Performing Arts, 525 N. 400 West, Centerville (801-298-1302 or centerpointtheatre.org)
“Shrek the Musical” is ostensibly the love story of a cantankerous ogre and a discarded princess, but the show’s underlying theme is that even misfits have their place.
Though the show’s multiple characters are fairy-tale freaks, they shouldn’t be hated. At one point, Pinocchio seizes his sense of self to cry out: “I’m wood! I’m good! Get used to it!”
The CenterPoint Legacy Theatre production of “Shrek the Musical” is a colorful adventure that agreeably displays local actors.
Director Maurie Tarbox shows her hand at getting this complex undertaking of a show on its feet to entertain audience members. The show moves at a quick pace while each plot point is given its appropriate due.
The show features alternate casts, and on the evening of the reviewed performance, the strongest element was Cameron Kapetanov as the title character. He is cheeky and sympathetic and fun to watch as he invites other cast members to travel along on his journey.
“It’s a Big, Bright, Beautiful World,” Kapetanov warmly declares at the opening. He ends the song with “And it’s mine,” and the talented actor owns this stage as Shrek. He is lovable in the role. When the fine singer-actor displays his isolation and loneliness, the audience is rooting for him. “When Words Fail,” in which Shrek struggles to convey romantic feelings he’s never had before, is another one of the show’s highlights.
Katie Frandsen makes an amiable Princess Fiona. It’s clear she’s having a good time playing the character. With Emily Hoagland as Teen Fiona and Veanne Franks as Young Fiona, Frandsen shows both hope and hopelessness when they together perform “I Know It’s Today.” She is jaunty in the second-act opener, “Morning Person.”
BJ Whimpey nicely performs as the pint-sized Lord Farquaad, prancing across the stage on his knees. Vertically challenged, Farquaad is blissfully unaware that he too is different, and the character sets the play in motion when he banishes the fairy-tale folk from the kingdom of Duloc to interrupt the serenity Shrek has enjoyed in his solitary swamp home. “What’s Up, Duloc?” was Whimpey’s moment to shine.
Choreographer Addison Welch keeps the cast in motion, though the ensemble raggedly performs his most impressive moves.
Costume designer Sydnie Howard shows a flair for color, and the variety of costume styles is notable.
Technical difficulties at times tripped up the performance, such as when electricity to the stage was lost and the house lights were brought back up for a prolonged moment, and the recorded accompaniment track failed to play back in one scene.
“Shrek the Musical” has a great message, and the cast proudly sings out “What makes us special makes us strong.” This production is energetic and amusing.
Content advisory: Mild language and innuendo