Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Footlights Junior Division’s current show is “Shrek, the Musical” based on the Oscar winning Dreamworks animation movie of the same name from 2001. The music is by Jeanine Tesori with book and lyrics by David Lindsey-Abaire and the original source material came from the 1990 book “Shrek” by William Steig. The story opens when Shrek is thrown out of the house by his parents when he’s seven to go earn a living. They warn him because of his looks everyone will hate him and he’ll come to a bad end. The audience follows Shrek and his loyal steed, Donkey on a quest to rescue the beautiful but temperamental Princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a love-sick fire breathing Dragon. Throw in the diminutive Lord Farquaad who is in love with Fiona, a gang of fairytale misfits, and a Gingerbread cookie with attitude to the list of wild and crazy characters the audience meets. Shrek is an outsider who goes on a journey to discover where he belongs in this world. This is an important lesson we can learn to accept everybody no matter how they look and everyone can relate to it. Add splendid singing and dancing by this 100 member cast with excellent direction by Neil Jeronimo and Tricia Rodrigues, choreography by Brian Pereira and musical direction by Kasey Jeronimo. This high energy is rewarded with a thunderous ovation at the curtain call with the whole audience singing “I’m a Believer” with Shrek and his cast mates.
Neil and Tricia pick the best performers for these roles and infuse them with keen insight into the comic and dramatic moments of the script to enthrall the crowd. Brian’s choreography is amazing especially the tap dance, the twist, the Charleston and some Motown dances. The 19 songs and dances soar under Kasey’s music direction. Leading this cast is Nick Lanigan as Shrek. He is dynamic in this role, winning over the audience with his sympathetic portrayal. Nick’s songs include “Big Bright Beautiful World”, when he sings about being alone in the swamp, “When Words Fail” when he tries to explain his feelings to Fiona, “Build a Wall” when he’s angry with everyone around him and “Beautiful Ain’t Pretty” when he falls in love at last. His duet with Fiona is “I Think I Got You Beat” which is reminiscent of “Anything You Can Do” from “Annie Get Your Gun” when they have a comic burping and farting contest. Nick closes the show with “I’m a Believer” from Monkee fame with the whole cast dancing to it.
Desiree Levesque is comical as Donkey. She has many witty one liners and wins many laughs. Her voice is heard in “Don’t Let Me Go” when she first meets Shrek, “Travel Song” when she explains she’s a GPS with fur, “Forever” is when she discovers the dragon is holding Fiona captive, “Who I’d Be”, “Make a Move” when Donkey encourages Shrek to pursue Fiona and “Forever” when she gets a happy ending at last. Multitalented beautiful Bella Manchester is superb as the spunky, Fiona. This character isn’t afraid of anyone and speaks her mind freely. Her lovely voice is heard in the very poignant “I Know It’s Today” where she sings about being rescued by a prince in three part harmony with Gabriella Gervasio as Young Fiona and Avery Weber as Teen Fiona, “This is How a Dream Comes True”, “Who I’d Be” where she, Shrek and Donkey sing about secrets they are hiding, “Morning Person”, stunning tap dance that opens Act 2, “I Think I Got You Beat”, the farting contest number and “This Is Our Story” where she and Shrek get together at last. Splendid work by these three leading players.
The rest of the cast lives up to the high standards of the leading players. JT Garcia plays the part of Lord Farquaad wonderfully. He steals many scenes and is the villain of the show because he wants Shrek killed so he can have Fiona for himself. JT shines as this despicable character as evilness oozes out of every pore. He plays the part on his knees with fake legs and his dancing has to be seen to be believed. His voice soars in his two song and dance numbers “What’s Up Duloc” and “The Ballad of Farquaad.” JT steals many scenes with this role. Farquaad’s even smaller father, Grumpy of Snow White fame is played by Marissa Forand who is a hoot as Grumpy and finally puts his mean son in his place. Reva Tinkham plays the comical Dragon who falls in love with Donkey. She has a fabulous singing voice. Leading the fairy tale characters is Ashton Peters as Pinocchio whose nose keeps getting longer with every lie told. He speaks in a high pitched voice and leads the chorus in “Story of My Life”, “The Goodbye Song” and “The Freak Flag” which is a where they do a Motown dance that captivates the audience. Izzy Salpietro is hilarious as Gingy who is tortured by Farquaad so he can find Fiona and become king. Her strong voice is heard in “The Freak Flag.” Great job by the tap dances especially tiny Makenzie Berube as Pied Piper.There are many twists and turns in the story leading to its heartwarming ending. So for a marvelous musical, be sure to catch “Shrek, the Musical” performed by Footlights Junior Division before time runs out.
SHREK (2 to 4 August)
Footlights Junior Division, Joseph Case High School, 70 School St, Swansea, MA
1(774)644-4539 or www.footlightsrep.net
