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The many layers of ‘Shrek, the Musical’
By John Benson
If we learned anything from the 2001 animated movie “Shrek,” it’s that ogres are like onions.
No, they’re not stinky. Well, actually they are, but that’s not the point. The idea is orgres have layers and no one knows this better than songwriter Jeanine Tesori who, along with David Lindsay-Abaire (book and lyrics), wrote the score to the Tony Award-winning Broadway production of “Shrek the Musical,” which comes to Cleveland from March 1-13 at the Palace Theatre, and then moves on to Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center from March 15-20.
“My first reaction when I heard about the musical was, ‘Really? Why would we do that,’” said Tesori, calling from New York City. “Then when you look at it, not as just its big success as a movie, but basically it’s a great quest story and very funny. There are so many characters that have to overcome something, and it sings. When I choose a project, I consider it very carefully because it’s four years of your life at a minimum.”
Tesori has written Tony Award-nominated scores for “Twelfth Night,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Caroline, or Change.” The challenge for “Shrek,” she said, was to make something that endures.
Even though “Shrek The Musical” made its 2008 debut in the glaring spotlight of professional theater’s biggest arena, Broadway, Tesori knew the end result would be a children’s friendly production that played in community theaters and schools for decades to come. That opened the songwriting gates leading to a Tony Award-nominated score that features Princess Fiona’s “I Know it’s Today,” the Dragon’s “Forever” and Shrek’s own “Who I’d Be.”
Furthermore, the costume-heavy “Shrek The Musical” mirrors the first “Shrek” movie with a tale of the swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land. Joining in on the fun is the wisecracking donkey and a slew of hilarious fairytale friends. Finally, Tesori stresses “Shrek The Musical ” is the family show that leaves everyone entertained.
“What ‘Shrek’ delivers on is it cuts through generations, which is what we were trying to do when we wrote it,” Tesori said.
“There are things that parents will get, little sly things that other generations will get and physical humor that young kids love. It works on so many levels.”