Theater Review - 'Shrek, the Musical'

THEATER REVIEW

‘Shrek, the Musical’ - Produced by Theatre Three, Port Jefferson 

Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur 

The musical ‘Shrek’ as currently presented at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson is probably being staged as well as it’s ever going to be. Those who don’t believe in miracles should consider that in the hands of gutsy director Jeffrey Sanzel, even so-so entertainment like this occasionally tedious piece of theater can be made to look consistently interesting … dare we say ‘good’ most of the time!

Let’s consider what Long Island’s most accomplished show business impresario is forced to work with here: 

‘Shrek, The Musical’ first tested the legitimate theater waters in Seattle in 2008. There the show received what by all accounts must be termed generous mixed reviews. It was even referred to by one northwestern critic as a converted film that managed to convey a heartfelt message. Hmmm! Can you say ‘ambiguity’?

Rather forgettable in both its lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (who amazingly once won a Pulitzer for drama), and music by Jeanine Tesori (best known for co-arranging, co-writing, and co-conducting scores with moderate success at best), the primary thing ‘Shrek’ has going for it is its Steven Spielberg pedigree. DreamWorks started the ball rolling when the soon-to-be Disney competitor pledged a bundle to the computer-animated film project, and made a lot of money in the bargain. Such is Spielberg’s magic touch. Seldom, if ever, does our Hamptons neighbor, Steven, lose money on an endeavor.

The initial film incorporated musical renderings by the likes of ‘Smash Mouth,’ ‘Eels,’ and ‘Baha Men,’ and soon everybody wanted a piece of the ‘rock phenomenon.’ Performers figured if these sorely limited entertainers could successfully capitalize on ‘Shrek,’ anyone might. Thus, from no fewer than (count ‘em) four successive ‘Shrek’ incarnations, sound track albums featuring everybody and his brother were released. By 2010 there was ‘Shrek’ litter everywhere we looked … and listened.

But what’s going on at Theatre Three can hardly be labeled artistic debris. 

In the first place, the big, brassy cast that director Sanzel has assembled is so talented that even a star like Rachel Greenblatt (who carried ‘Grease’ single-handedly at Smithtown’s Performing Arts Center a few years back) is found in a relatively minor part here. 

An indefatigable Danny Stalter (as the ogre, Shrek) brings non-stop gusto to the title role, Jenny Kavaler (my, what a pure voice she has!) is a loveable ‘Princess Fiona,’ while Bobby Montaniz makes the tough ‘Donkey’ characterization something special. And I particularly liked Hans Paul Hendrickson as ‘Pinocchio.’ Stage presence is hard to define, but Hendrickson has it in spades.

That said, it was Matt Sanese who virtually stole the show as he skillfully interpreted the dwarf, ‘Lord Farquaard.’ One can only imagine how difficult it must be to play such a featured role on one’s knees … for two hours plus! That’s endurance, folks.

Of course, this musical wherein an ugly Ogre and his faithful Donkey set out to rescue Princess Fiona from a fire-breathing Dragon, is best appreciated by children (while kids under the age of eight might be tested beyond their endurance). Let it be known, though, that there were some six and seven-year-olds in attendance when I was there last week, and not one indication of boredom was in evidence. 

The adults too, inexplicably sat still throughout. Maybe like me, they were simply mesmerized by the colorful costumes, the eye-popping makeup, the dazzling special effects, and the contagious enthusiasm of two dozen gifted actors. Or perhaps they were stunned that Jeffrey Sanzel, the miracle man of Port Jefferson’s famed Theatre Three, somehow could breathe life into a show that, while it admittedly satisfied a number of cult fans early on, never was able to recoup its investment on The Great White Way.

Not all Broadway musicals do, of course … but actor/writer/director Sanzel is not one to shy away from a challenge regardless—not even from a test as intimidating as this one must have been.

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Award-winning writer, Jeb Ladouceur is the author of eleven novels, and his theater and book reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. His newest book, THE GHOSTWRITERS, explores the bizarre relationship between the late Harper Lee and Truman Capote. It maintains that each actually wrote the other’s most acclaimed work. Ladouceur’s revealing website is www.JebsBooks.com