Merriam-Webster defines an ogre as either “an ugly giant in children’s stories that eats people”or “someone or something that is very frightening, cruel, or difficult to deal with.” Either way, an ogre sounds like someone (or is it something?) to be avoided at any cost.
Unless, of course, the ogre happens to be Shrek. The unlikely hero and his wisecracking best friend Donkey join forces onstage in “Shrek the Musical” at the Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria Friday, July 15 through Sunday, Aug. 14, when they go on the journey of a lifetime to rescue a feisty, headstrong princess and save the land from an evil lord.
Based on William Steig’s 1990 book and the Oscar-winning 2001 DreamWorks film, the live stage version opened on Broadway in 2008 and closed in January 2010. With music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, ABT’s song-and-dance-filled presentation will be directed by Mace Archer, who previously directed “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Peter Pan,” “Phantom” and others for ABT.
“‘Shrek’ is not just about ogres,” Archer says. It’s “about feeling different and feeling like an outsider. This play is really a celebration of anyone who does not want to be cut from a mold.”
Leading the outstanding cast is Jason Simon as Shrek. He returns to the ABT stage after receiving huge acclaim as Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” earlier this year. He was recently seen as Yvan in “Die Fledermaus” at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and has also been seen on PBS as the maitre’d in Susan Stroman’s production of “The Merry Widow” at the Metropolitan Opera and as Sheriff Vallon in the New York Philharmonic’s concert of “Show Boat.”
Donkey, Shrek’s sidekick, is played by Deonte L. Warren, who previously appeared at ABT as Terk in “Tarzan.” Warren also toured with “Dreamgirls” and “Sister Act” and appeared regionally as Seaweed in “Hairspray” and Ken in “Smokey Joe’s Café” at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Liz Fallon returns to ABT as Fiona, the princess in distress. Other ABT credits include Angel in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” Dorris in “The Dottie Maraschino Show,” Charity Hope Valentine in “Sweet Charity,” Graziella in “West Side Story”and Sally in “A Christmas Carol.”
Making his debut at ABT as the villainous Lord Farquaad is David Brumfield, who also portrayed Farquaad at Fort Peck Summer Theatre in Montana. Other credits include Patsy in Monty Python’s “Spamalot,” Uncle Fester in “The Addams Family” and Victor/Adrian in “Smokey Joe’s Café” at Montana’s Bigfork Summer Playhouse.
Be prepared for much hilarity as the story unfolds. ABT describes “Shrek The Musical” as “part romance, part fractured fairy tale and 100 percent irreverent fun for the whole family.”
If you go: July 15–Aug. 14. Show times and ticket prices vary. Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. 623-776- 8400 or azbroadway.org.
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