The Greendale Community Theatre valiantly marches into comical fantasy with its summer production of Shrek The Musical. A fairy tale world is brought to life largely though the emotions of individual characters. Scenic design fades into the background in a production animated by vibrant costuming and clever puppetry.
Robust Ben Tajnai wears the green as the titular ogre who finds his cozy little swamp overrun by fairy-tale creatures. Tajnai doesn’t quite nail the Scottish accent given to the character in the blockbuster animated movies, but even from a great distance he resonates with a depth of emotion that feels much more natural than CGI animation could possibly conjure.
To secure his solitude, Shrek must rescue a princess from a castle in order that she may marry a diminutive lord (played by a smartly comic Mitch Weindorf miniaturized at the knees by ingeniously simple costuming.) Rae Elizabeth Pare has breathtakingly graceful comic instincts in the role of Princess Fiona, who is rather unceremoniously rushed away to be even more unceremoniously married. Pare not only has inspired comic instincts in physical, verbal and musical humor, she has all three disciplines impressively synthesized into a fun musical comedy dynamic that plays well against Tajnai’s amplified gravity as Shrek.
Joining Shrek in his quest is Shawn Holmes in charming full-bodied fuzziness as Donkey. Holmes plays up Donkey’s irrepressible cheerfulness in an irresistibly lovable performance. He shares one of the most visually fantastical moments onstage with a lovestruck dragon present onstage as a rather large puppet voiced by stunning vocal diva Raven Dockery.
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Through July 29 at Henry Ross Auditorium inside Greendale High School, 6801 Southway, Greendale. For tickets, call 414-817-7600 or visit greendaletheatre.org.
