Chagrin Valley Little Theatre’s ‘Shrek – The Musical’ is big, green and entertaining

So...take every “Shrek” movie ever made (“Shrek”, “Shrek 2”, “Shrek the Third” and “Shrek Forever After” along with William Steig’s 1990 book) put them in a blender and set to mix then add a clever musical score. This will give you “Shrek – The Musical”, the family friendly hit show currently on stage at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

With the holiday season upon us (like it or not), CVLT offers parents and grand parents an excellent solution to that age old question “How to keep the children occupied and entertained during the holidays!”. Not only that, it is an excellent manner in which to introduce youngsters to live theater (an experience that many of them will carry with fond memories into adulthood).

With music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Linsay-Abaire, “Shrek – The Musical” is one of those rare shows that has something for everyone from the young to the young at heart. The adults will enjoy the jokes, the theme of inclusion as well as the songs and choreography. The kids will love the belching and farting jokes. It’s a win-win situation.

At the tender age of seven, young Shrek the ogre (Colton Burg) is sent out into the world on his own with a warning. Because of his looks he will be shunned by the world. Years later we find the embittered grown up Shrek (Tom Jones) living quite comfortably in a swamp (“Big, Bright, Beautiful World”). His peaceful contentment is soon broken up by the arrival of a group of fairytale creatures who have been banished from the Kingdom of Duloc (“The Story of my Life”). Lord Farquaad (Cameron Zona) has labeled them as undesirables and freaks.

They include their ringleader, Pinocchio (Julia DiPaolo), Peter Pan (Megan Verrona), Pied Piper (Brandon Anders), The Wicked Witch (Amy Balsinger), The Three Little Pigs (Shelby Bodzin, Robin Mango & Noelle Rudersdorf), Cheshire Cat (Greta Elizabeth Geib), Papa Bear (T.J. Hayes), Mad Hatter (Felicia Larson), Humpty Dumpty (Pyro Lennerth), Three Blind Mice (Robin Mango, Noelle Rudersdorf and Shelby Bodzin), Mama Bear (Brittany Morehouse), Elf (Michela Palma), Ugly Duckling (Dev Panigrahi), Sugar Plum Fairy (Katie Remark), White Rabbit (Loren Sciulla), Fairy Godmother (Melanie Scott), Puss In Boots (Caitrin Claddach Stark) and Big Bad Wolf (Gregory Karulin). Shrek decides to take matters in to his own hands and sets off to Duloc to see Farquaad, regain his swamp and help the fairytale creatures get their homes back (“The Goodbye Song”).

During his travels, Shrek rescues Donkey (Kaity Poschner) from some of Farquaad’s guards. Although Shrek detests the constant donkey banter he agrees to let Donkey lead him to Duloc (“Don’t Let Me Go”).

Back in Duloc, Farquaad is torturing “Gingy” the Gingerbread Man (Luna Cardamone) in order to learn the whereabouts of the remaining Fairytale Creatures still in the kingdom. Gingy lets slip that there is a Princess Fiona who lives in a tower that would be the perfect wife for Farquaad thus cementing his claim to the royal crown.

We then meet Fiona as a seven year old (Mila Cook), a teenager (Megan Verrona) and adult (Caralyn Steck) who dreams of being rescued by a brave storybook knight (“I Know It’s Today”). Shrek and Donkey arrive in Duloc and are drafted to go rescue the princess. In return, Farquaad will give Shrek the deed to the swamp.

The two travel through the countryside with Donkey becoming an irritant to Shrek (“Travel Song”). Arriving at the tower, Shrek sets for the rescue of the princess leaving Donkey behind. Donkey encounters the Dragon who at first sees him as lunch but spares him when Donkey charms her. They become an item.

With twenty one songs and dance numbers this production is one of the most challenging to pull off. Add to that the personalities of the lead characters that have become ingrained in our heads for over 25 years as well as the elaborate costuming of all involved it is not a show that a community theater would take lightly in tackling.

As for the CVLT production, it is perfection. Tom Jones as the adult Shrek has the voice and mannerisms down to a “T”. Kaity Poschner as Donkey keeps up a constant banter that is truly entertaining. The most laughs go to Cameron Zona (who is actually quite tall) playing Lord Farquaad and who spends most of the show on his knees with short stage legs. Caralyn Steck, Megan Verrona and Mila Cook as the variously aged Fionas work very well together for their duet. The rest of the fairyland creatures are superb, hamming it up with the voices and mannerisms needed to sell each character.

Marcus Dana’s lighting design coupled with Brandon Larson’s sound design get the job done extremely well. Kelsey Tomlinson’s job of outfitting 27 cast members representing 36 characters had to have been an enormous challenge. The various scene projections by Brittany Bizub are magical. Musical director Heidi Herczeg’s eight piece orchestra brings a delightful mix of live music to the production. The show is wonderfully directed by Chris Bizub with Lauren Stepanski as the gifted choreographer.

If you are looking for a fun holiday show to take the family without the word “Carol” or “Story” in the title this is a safe bet. The extremely talented cast will have you laughing at the jokes and nodding at the message that all creatures have value. It is time well spent seeing live theater as a family unit and it is what happy memories are built from.

The Chagrin Valley Theatre production of “Shrek – the Musical” will be on stage at 40 River Street, Chagrin Falls, Ohio through December 14, 2025. For tickets and more information go to http//www.cvlt.org or call (440) 247-8955.