THEATRE REVIEW - 'Shrek' is clever, quirky, kitschy fun BY HEDY WEISS Theatre Critic/Suntimes Chicago 'SHREK THE MUSICAL' HIGHLY RECOMMENDED As Shrek, the easily lovable Eric Petersen uses his powerhouse voice and lovable giant's pain to grand effect while Haven Burton brinjgs her power pipes and a wonderful relaxed nuttiness to princess Fiona ( with golden voiced Madison Mullahey as her youngedst incarnation ). Alan Mingo Jr. is the coolest, funkiest Donkey pal an ogre could wish for; Carrie Compere has a fire-breathing voice as the Dragon; David F.M. Vaughn is a hoot as the "kneecapped" Lord Farquaad, and the large ensemble is exemplary.
Shrek
the Musical Cadillac Palace Theatre
The third animated film-to-stage musical of Broadway in Chicago's 2009-10
season, Shrek the Musical is the first to fully be the real deal.
Though we don't see her face until the curtain call, Carrie
Compere brings down the house as the dragon with "Forever," a
new song written for the tour.
Contact:CBU MGMT
917-533-7026
BWW
Review: SHREK THE MUSICAL at the FOX in
St. Louis September 14, 2010
The original animated film Shrek was a kind of adult
fairytale, though it was obviously aimed squarely at the youth market as well,
successfully spawning a franchise with sequels and merchandising galore. So, it
should come as no surprise that Dreamworks would opt to try their luck on stage
with a musical version of their blockbuster hit. Happily, like the original,
it's a cute and amusing production that will play equally well to children and
their parents, who will certainly appreciate some of the more grown-up humor
the book and lyrics provide. The current production of Shrek The Musical, which is playing at the Fox Theatre, is a
cleverly mounted show with fine performances and dazzling displays of technical
wizardry.
The plot is pretty much the same as the movie with the evil, but
miniscule, Lord Farquaad banishing all the fairytale characters from the
kingdom, and forcing them to take up residence in a swamp. But that swamp
just happens to be the home of Shrek the ogre. Outraged, he decides to pay
Farquaad a visit and, by utilizing his unique talents and "charms",
take back ownership of his land. Along the way he meets up with a loquacious
donkey who aids him in his efforts.
Farquaad, who has eyes for the imprisoned Princess Fiona, barters
a deal whereby Shrek will rescue the Princess in exchange for the return of his
swamp land. Keep in mind that the tower is surrounded by molten lava and
guarded by a dragon. If you've seen the film then you know that Shrek saves
Fiona and that a spark of romance blossoms between the pair even though they
appear to be complete opposites. But, you have to remember that the message
that's central to this tale is all about accepting one another for what we are,
not how we appear.
Eric Petersen does fine work leading the cast as Shrek, and he conjures up the
required Scottish brogue with aplomb. He's nicely paired with Alan Mingo, Jr., who brings soulful vocals and sassy attitude
to the part in equal measure. Holly Ann
Butler is a
fiesty Fiona, and she acquits herself well vocally throughout, and David F.M.
Vaughn is
especially gleeful in his menace as the diminutive Lord Farquaad.
A large and talented supporting cast includes the superb puppetry
work of Kevin Boseman, Tyrone Davis, Jr., Denny Paschall and Keven Quillon, who are listed as the Dragon puppeteers, as well as the vocal
talents of Carrie Compere who gives the creature a voice that's able to
rock the house during the rollicking number "Forever".
Jeanine Tesori's score serves the play well, and is undeniably
tuneful in execution, but it really isn't very memorable. Perhaps, it's just
the fact that the inclusion (and they had to didn't they?) of Neil Diamond's irresistibly catchy AM radio classic "I'm
A Believer" at the conclusion (originally recorded by The Monkees)
overwhelms with its familiarity. The real treat here is David Lindsay-Abaire's clever book and lyrics which peppers the
dialogue and songs with witty bits that are deserving of greater attention.
Directors Jason
Moore and Rob
Ashford keep the
tone light and the action moving at a fairly brisk pace, with seamless
transitions between scenes. Their efforts are enhanced by Josh
Prince's
playful choreography, Tim
Hatley's
eye-popping scenic design, costuming and puppet design, as well as Hugh Vanstone's imaginative lighting, and Naomi
Donne's makeup
creations.
Shrek The Musical continues at the Fox
Theatre through September 26, 2010.
SHREK THE MUSICAL NATIONAL TOUR !!!
Carrie Compere voices the Fire Breathing Dragon
Susan & Carrie
OPENING NIGHT CHICAGO, CADILLAC PALACE THEATRE
Emily Cramer Swings with the show
Eric Petersen as Shrek & his beautiful wife
'Shrek' has more heart in Chicago By Chris Jones Tribune Critic .... You know that dragon? On Broadway, the beast was 17 feet of cold, hard pink. In Chicago, you feel like you could wrap your arms around the fire-breathing gal. Especially with her knew retro-disco number. Instead of rearing back in your seat in horror at the millions of dollars being spectacularly consumed before your eyes, you lean toward the misunderstood puppet-dragon, who still packs the requisite spectacular punch.
"Hi Susan!
I have absolute faith in dreams, and miracles. I knew Carrie was suppose to meet you! And if I had any doubt before, there is no doubt now to what is possible for me.
You spoke very confident of my abilities and continue to be my strongest guide on this earth. You're an angel! You're going to touch many more lives very soon. "
Love,
Tracy
CARRIE COMPERE
Q&A With Carrie Compere of "Shrek The Musical"
Jessica Pupillo
St. Louis Sprout & About had the opportunity to interview Carrie Compere, the actress that plays a diva Dragon, Tweedle Dum and Mama Ogre in "Shrek The Musical." Compere answers our questions about the misunderstood Dragon, costumes and bringing Shrek to the stage.
Sprout: In the Shrek movies, we're never quite sure if Dragon will be a villain, hero or a little bit of both -- what can you tell us about Dragon's role in Shrek the Musical?
CC: I think Dragon is a bit misunderstood. It is easy to pin her as a villain because she is a large, intimidating, fire-breathing dragon, and Shrek must defeat her to rescue Princess Fiona. But, really, she is just a dragon who is doing her job. I think that most of Dragon’s fury comes from her frustration with having no one of her own to love. She has lived the past 20 years of her life watching everyone come and try to rescue the princess, yet she yearns for someone to come and rescue her. There is a great song that she and Donkey sing called “Forever.” She basically explains how she feels unloved and unwanted, but things take a bit of a turn when Donkey interrupts and sings his way out of being destroyed by Dragon. Things definitely get interesting! And, later in the show we see how she becomes a hero by helping to defeat Lord Farquaad, the true villain of the show. Dragon is strong and fiery and very good at her job. But, in the end, she’s just a girl who needs love!
Sprout: Tell us about the costume for the larger-than-life Dragon?
CC: Well, Dragon is definitely a diva. In the rescue scene, Dragon is glorious, magnificent, beautifully decorated and a very large puppet that is wonderfully puppeteered by four of our male ensemble members – Keven Quillon, Kevin Boseman, Tyrone Davis, Jr., and Denny Paschall who leads the way by controlling Dragon’s head, eyes and mouth. At the end of the show you see me come on stage as the “human” Dragon. I am wearing an awesome floor-length gown with layers and colors to match the puppet. And, on the back there is a tail - a beautiful, long tail with rhinestones. I get to whip it around a bit! I have small wing tips that go through my hair, and my Dragon makeup is fierce! I think they wanted the “human” Dragon to represent the glory of who she is and her swagger. When you see the costume, you definitely know that Dragon has shown up on the scene. I am so proud to be able to represent her!
Sprout: You also play Mama Ogre. This will be the first time Shrek fans meet the matriarch. What can you tell us about her?
CC: Mama Ogre is so sweet. She is neatly coiffed, and her makeup is charming. She wears a knitted dress and a cooking apron. She dons wooden jewelry, no doubt carved from the trees in the forest. She loves her son. She is a true mother. I love that the audience meets Shrek’s parents because they get a glimpse of where he comes from.
At the top of the show Papa Ogre, played by Brian Gonzales, and Mama Ogre are doing what all ogre families do when their children reach a certain age -- sending their son, Shrek, off into the world. They teach him lessons and encourage him. They are to Shrek what many parents are to their children, the foundation. Mama and Papa Ogre love each other and they definitely show love to their son in their own special way. They are honest in telling him that his life will be hard because he is an ogre, but they say it with such care. You really do feel that this is a loving family.
Sprout: Most of the audience members will be familiar with the Shrek movies, how does the Shrek story translate to the stage?
CC: With a lot of costumes and makeup! I happen to be a fan of the Shrek movies, and I have to say that, of the stage production of Shrek, I love that the audience gets a 4D view of the life of Shrek and all the characters that are in his world. They get to see, live and in color, this story play out. It's full of emotions, wonder, love, action, songs, dancing and a gingerbread man. As an audience member you witness the innocence and genuine joy of Donkey. You see Shrek and Fiona falling in love right before your eyes. You hear the hope and the fear in Shrek’s voice as he sings “Who I’d Be.” You hear his frustrations and hurt in the song “Build a Wall.” I mean you really get invested. Those are just a few examples amidst the many great moments in this show for many of the characters. It’s great!
Sprout: So far, what have you enjoyed the most about this tour?
CC: I can truly say that what I have enjoyed most is working with this awesome team of people. Everyone -- from the producers, directors, writers, company management, stage managers, the cast and crew -- has been awesome. I get to play a green-faced Mama Ogre, perform in an awesome and enormous costume as Tweedle Dum, and sing a powerful song as the incredible Dragon, but it makes this experience so much better knowing that I get to work with all these great people, my road family!
Contact Manager: Susan Campochiaro Confrey – CBU MGMT 917-533-7026
