Shrek the Musical brings family-friendly fun to Massey Theatre, April 17 to May 3

Based on DreamWorks Animation’s 2001 hit, Royal City Musical Theatre presents the beloved tale of an ogre defending his swamp and finding love and friendship along the way

(From left) Chris Francisque, Tanner Zerr, and Madison Simms of *Shrek The Musical*. Photo by Matt Reznek

Royal City Musical Theatre presents Shrek the Musical at Massey Theatre from April 17 to May 3

NAME A MORE ICONIC trio than Shrek, Donkey, and Princess Fiona. We’ll wait.

The three lead characters of DreamWorks Animation’s hit 2001 feature Shrek (based on the book by William Steig) have subsequently appeared in three sequels, a couple of TV specials, and several video games.

In 2008, they even got their own Broadway musical, which proved popular enough to spawn a version in London’s West End, as well as tours in the U.S., the U.K., and Australia.

Now, thanks to Royal City Musical Theatre, they’re coming to New Westminster’s Massey Theatre, along with Lord Farquaad, Dragon, Gingy, Pinocchio, and other denizens of the Kingdom of Duloc.

Set in a swamp near the kingdom, the family-friendly Shrek the Musical follows the endearingly grumpy ogre of the title, whose quiet home is suddenly overrun by exiled fairy-tale creatures. To reclaim his solitude, he strikes a deal with the villainous Farquaad, agreeing to rescue Fiona from a dragon-guarded tower. With the help of a chatty donkey, Shrek succeeds—but unexpectedly falls for Fiona, unaware she’s hiding a secret curse.

The original film’s voice actors, including Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow, left some mighty big boots to fill, but Royal City has assembled a cast with serious chops, including veterans of productions by the Arts Club Theatre Company, Theatre Under the Stars, and Bard on the Beach. Topping the bill are Tanner Zerr as Shrek, Madison Simms as Fiona, Chris Francisque as Donkey, Kamyar Pazandeh as Lord Farquaad, and Alexis Hope as Dragon.

With a creative team led by director Chris Adams, choreographer Tracey Power, and musical director Angus Kellett, Shrek the Musical might just make you believer.

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John Lucas

John Lucas has covered music and the arts for longer than he cares to think about. He can also be found playing his guitar in dodgy rehearsal spaces and low-rent venues in and around Vancouver.

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