Letting Their Freak Flags Fly

Letting Their Freak Flags Fly

Micah Harvey as Shrek

Justin Woody as Donkey

Sarah Marie Young as Fiona

Mike Burke as Farquaad

By Tom Wachunas

   Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to laugh we go…

   Once upon a time – May, 2014, to be exact – an impeccably crafted production of Shrek, The Musical romped gleefully across the big Players Guild mainstage with a superlative cast directed by Jonathan Tisevich. Well, it’s baaack, with Tisevich directing again.

   This time, though, the story plays out in the Guild’s much smaller arena space, the intimate W.G. Fry Theater. But don’t think for a second that ‘smaller’ or ‘intimate’ would signal diminished energy in any way. This resurrected musical frolic practically explodes into the space. Call it a madcap romance in-the-round.

    Based on the DreamWorks animated film, with lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, here’s the story of Shrek, a cranky ogre whose private swamp is invaded by a boisterous cavalcade of fairy tale characters, scorned as “freaks” and exiled from the land of Duloc by mad Lord Farquaad. To regain the deed to his land, Shrek, aided by a talking donkey, agrees to rescue the maiden Fiona, imprisoned in a dragon’s lair since childhood, so Farquaad can marry her. While the dialogue throughout is generously dosed with edgy word-play and inside jokes tailored for adult appreciation, there’s plenty of snap, giggle and pop in this spoofy take on classic fantasy tales to engage children as well.

    Reprising his role as the cantankerous green ogre with the Scottish brogue, Micah Harvey is a commanding embodiment of Shrek’s heft and heart. The honest passion of his singing is robust and endearing. As the story moves along, he slowly sheds his mean nature and befriends Donkey. In that role, Justin Woody is a hyperactive gadfly. Through all his comical antics he’s fleet of hoof and mouth. Undaunted by Shrek’s ferocity, he’s stubbornly loyal, his singing filled with soulful tenderness and urgency. And talk about surprising footwork. At one point in their travels, Shrek and Donkey gingerly squirm their way through a whole row of occupied audience seats.

   Bedecked in an ingenious costume fitted with bouncing, golden prosthetic legs, Mike Burke is riveting in his role as the vertically challenged Lord Farquaad. Despite performing literally on his knees, he’s an amazingly elastic mover. His comedic presence soars to remarkable heights. He presents a delirious portrait of a brazen eccentric, a calculating misanthrope, a clownish megalomaniac with an inferiority complex. Yet there’s something mesmerizing about this high-stepping parody of a villain. When Burke sings, he seems caught up in a dream, his eyes fixed not so much on us in the audience, but on some unseen realm.

   Sarah Marie Young plays Fiona. She’s a wondrously versatile performer, here at times sweet and witty, at others unsparingly sardonic and earthy. She delivers some of the evening’s most memorable scenes and songs. Among those, I Know It’s Today is a moving reflection on her hope to be rescued by her true love (ultimately not Farquaad!), sung as if unfolding across time. She’s joined to her young self (Sophia Tsenekos, who, by the way, has an astonishingly charming, well-developed voice for someone so young), and teen self (Jordyn Freetage). Their harmonies are achingly gorgeous. Morning Person is a real showstopper featuring Fiona chirping with birds, twirling an inflatable deer, and joining a chorus line of tap-dancing rats. I Think I Got You Beat is a riotous duet with Shrek, wherein they debate who has had the harder life. Turns out they have much in common. Love at first fart. Beauty and the belch. Whatta gas.

   Other very noteworthy performances include Ashley Kendall’s powerful and fiery R&B-style singing as the Dragon; Morgan Brown as the infectiously giddy Sugar Plum Fairy and the voice of Gingy, the goofy Ginger Bread Man; and Robert Husted in his uproariously funny portrayal of the frenetic Pinocchio, complete with working expandable nose.

   The fact is, collectively this entire cast (most members playing multiple parts) is hilarity personified. That said, the show is more than just a silly cartoon in three dimensions. All the clever cosmetics and props, all the elaborate, dazzling costumes by Suwatana Rockland, are not so superficial or weighty that they obscure the authentically human elements of the story – a sincere embrace of social acceptance, diversity, and loving inclusivity.

    All these displaced fairy tale people celebrate rather than judge or hide their freakishness. And as Shrek songfully reminds us late in the show, “…beautiful ain’t always pretty.”  Combined with the effective scenic design by Joshua Erichsen, the scintillating orchestra under music director Steve Parsons, and Molly Weidig’s vivacious choreography, this is all a happy conspiracy of theatrical excellence sure to leave you delighted in Duloc.

Photos: by Jonathan Tisevich / Players Guild

SHREK, The Musical / at Players Guild Theatre, THROUGH February 9, 2020 / 1001 Market Avenue N., Canton, Ohio / Shows Fri. and Sat. at 7:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m. / 2:00 and 7:00 on Sat., Feb. 8 / Tickets: Single tickets - $34 ; 17 and younger - $27; Seniors -  $31 / Order at www.playersguildtheatre.com   or call 330. 493.7617