Sunday, October 5, 2014

Review of Atlantis' SHREK THE MUSICAL: Ogre-Rrrrific Show!

October 5, 2014




At first I was not so sure that I wanted to watch the musical version of the Dreamworks hit animated film "Shrek". I thought for sure the magic of the film cannot be adequately translated onto the live stage. The initial posters that came out did not seem to be too interesting as well. However when the show opened a couple of weekends ago and glowing reviews came out on how good it was, I was convinced of its quality and bought tickets for the whole family to watch.

Before the show started it was announced that Shrek will not be played by Rycharde Everley, who was the actor cited in all the publicity. I have seen Everley play in "Spelling Bee" before and had no doubt he can pull off being Shrek.  However this replacement Franz Imperial was an unknown actor to me. When I asked one of the staff, it turned out that Everley had been taken ill, so Imperial was promoted from the Ensemble to play the lead role Shrek for this weekend's performances.

The musical, with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, tells the basic story of the first Shrek film. The swamp home of the grumpy green ogre Shrek was overrun by fairy tale characters who were exiled there by Lord Farquaad of Duloc. Shrek with his new friend Donkey accepts the challenge set by Farquaad to save the Princess Fiona from her imprisonment in a tower guarded by a fire-breathing dragon. However, Fiona has a dark secret of her own that needs true love's first kiss to solve. Who will set her free from her nightly curse? Will it be Farquaad? Or can it be Shrek?

Despite initial apprehensions, it turns out that there was no need to worry because Franz Imperial was actually very good as Shrek!  His singing voice was full and very solid. He had Shrek's Scottish accent down. He had excellent buddy chemistry with the Donkey and romantic chemistry with Fiona, such that he did not feel like a short-notice replacement at all. He actually looked better and more lovable in the Shrek get-up than Everley did in the publicity photos. Imperial was able to project the inner goodness of the gruff ogre from under all of that green rubbery make-up. This pinch-hitter hit a home run!

As Princess Fiona, Shiela Valderrama performed like I had never seen her perform before. Her songs were the most vocally challenging of all. Her first song "I Know It's Today," which she sang with two other younger actresses (Arriana Everley and Katie Bradshaw) playing Fionas in younger ages, had very vocally punishing notes. Valderrama nails them amazingly.  She had two other great numbers in Act 2, "Morning Person" and "I Think I Got You Beat" (with its glorious belching and farting), both of which showed off her comic flair on top of her flawless strong vocals. She knew this role was for her and she brought it home.

Three Atlantis stalwarts star in major supporting roles. Nyoy Volante was practically unrecognizable as Donkey. He has got the Eddie Murphy-style smart-aleck personality and speed talking like it was second nature.  Jett Pangan is a riot as bad power-hungry midget, Lord Farquaad. The way he was able to make the fake short legs he wore in front of him seem alive as he performed kneeling the whole time was very impressive in its difficult physicality. Carla Guevara-Laforteza stars as lady personification of the Dragon. The giant Dragon puppet was the single most extravagantly beautiful prop I had seen in local theater. Laforteza gives it the sassy but lonely character it required. They are all really very versatile actors and their singing skills never missed their marks, as always.

The music of the show is generally upbeat and catchy. However, things get a little bogged down towards the end of the second act with a series of serious ballads. Fortunately, the cast would additionally sing their own version of The Monkees' hit "I'm a Believer" to liven things up at the very end.  Imperial and Valderrama were both in perfect voice in this number as they led the whole cast in their bouncy finale number. The stage set up with the green-lit giant "S" and confetti shower made for a memorable lasting impression as audiences go home with smiles on their faces.

Congratulations again to Director Bobby Garcia and the rest of the Atlantis cast and crew for another big success in translating another challenging stage production to life. 

"Shrek" will run for just one more weekend this week, up to October 12, 2014. If you loved the film, then you will also enjoy seeing these beloved characters come to life. The whole family will enjoy this show. Do not miss it!


18 comments:

  1. I heard from my friends that Shrek the Musical is one fun thing to watch. I'd love to watch it given a chance since I love the movies. I've seen all of it and my whole family adores Shrek and Fiona, esp. Donkey. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow~ What raving reviews!
    Would look forward to it when it comes to Singapore!

    Cheers~
    Pingerrain*Priscilla
    http://www.pingerrain.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Haha... despite the craze over Shrek, I still can't accept the fact that Princess Fiona turns into a ogre after kissing Shrek. Hahaha, but I'm glad the mean, short little fiance of hers is gone!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I still having a hard time accepting Princess Fiona changed into a bigger size. Hahahaaha!!!! But overall it's a nice animation still. =)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love musicals, and the Shrek theme suggests this should be a wonderful performance, thanks to the actors, as you review it, the musical must have been spectacular, indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like how they have a powerhouse cast for this. I have enjoyed the movie a lot and I am excited about this musical - with an awesome cast, I'm sure the musical adaptation will just be as fantastic. Can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Shrek as a musical on stage.. wow, that must have been fun to watch! I love stage shows anf doing justice to animation characters on stage is even more difficult.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I would honestly not have gone to see Shrek the Musical if not for your favorable review. It does sound like a great show to see! We are huge fans of the movies, but it would be interesting to see how they pull it off on stage..

    ReplyDelete
  9. It looks like they came up with a really convincing theatre interpretation of Shrek. I just like how the story is different from other fairy tales and the twist they made with Princess Fiona in the story.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Shrek will always be one of Dreamworks's most hilarious works! If I had the time I would definitely go and check it out because it looks like a lot of fun! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sounds like a perfect family musical! We both love Shrek with my son and I would love to be able to see this musical together with him. Thank you for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Until I read your view, I couldn't imagine the movie translating well in stage format. It did.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have seen all parts of shrek but not this, they are full of adventure, hope to see this soon

    ReplyDelete
  14. Shrek in movie's good and entertaining; while this one is a musical. I think, for this stage musical, Filipino stage actors, do well with their talents.

    ReplyDelete
  15. it has always intrigued me ever since the poster came out since I cannot really imagine Shrek being a musical. but it seems like it was really good. I wish they would play it again soon!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh that looks gooood! Wish they be bringing the production here to singapore! the sets must be quite something!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Very good review. Sadly it was far and i cannot experience Shrek the Musical.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for your insights about Sherk the musical! Was about to watch it last week but due to some unfortunate events, I missed it. :(

    ReplyDelete