Midcoast Youth Theater
Shrek, the musical
Synopsis
Get ready for big laughs, big hearts, and one very big green ogre! Based on the beloved DreamWorks animated film, Shrek the Musical is a hilarious and heartfelt fairy tale adventure that turns classic storybook characters upside down.
When Shrek, a grumpy but lovable ogre, sets out to reclaim his swamp from the scheming Lord Farquaad, he reluctantly teams up with a fast-talking Donkey and ends up rescuing Princess Fiona — who’s hiding a surprising secret of her own. Along the way, they meet a cast of unforgettable characters, including Dragon, Pinocchio, Gingy the Gingerbread Man, the Three Little Pigs, the Big Bad Wolf, the Three Blind Mice, the Fairy Godmother, and an entire fairytale ensemble of misfit creatures who’ve been banished from Duloc.
Filled with catchy songs, outrageous humor, and plenty of roles for performers of all ages, Shrek the Musical is a joyful celebration of individuality and friendship. It’s a story that reminds us that what makes us different is exactly what makes us special.
Performers can expect high-energy ensemble numbers, larger-than-life characters, and lots of opportunities for comedy, movement, and creativity. Whether you’re an experienced performer or stepping on stage for the first time, there’s a role for everyone — from ogres and dragons to fairy-tale creatures and Duloc dancers — in this magical, laugh-out-loud musical adventure!
Character descriptions
SHREK: A mean, crusty old ogre who prides himself on being the fiercest of the fierce but is really just a sweet soul who has been treated badly by the world.
DONKEY: Sassy, smart-mouthed talking donkey joins Shrek on the run from Farquaad’s guards. Quite the chatterbox, he is not deterred by Shrek’s looks or temper and slow insinuates himself into Shrek’s good graces. Easily frightened and pushy, Donkey is also an optimistic fellow with a lot of heart who thrives on the love of his friends.
FIONA: Princess Fiona has been trapped in a tower since her youth to hide her secret shame: she has a transforming spell over her that turns her in to an Ogre every night when the sun sets. This spell can only be broken with True Love’s Kiss. Shrek doesn't live up to her expectations for a rescuing night, and it takes time and a series of mis-understandings for Fiona to realize that who she truly is at heart.
LORD FARQUAAD: The ruthless ruler of Duloc has been battling issues with his absent father and shorter-than average height his whole life, which has led him to force his subjects in to a ruthlessly “perfect” society that leaves no room for uniqueness or difference. The actor who plays Farquad will be performing on their knees throughout, including some dances. This actor must be able to create a broad comic character grounded in authentic-feeling emotional pain and fear of rejection.
DRAGON: After years of guarding Fiona in her tower, Dragon gets the heart flutters for Donkey as he and Shrek rescue the princess. What begins as an awkward predator/prey relationship blossoms in to a love that inspires the Dragon to come to the rescue in the final minutes of the show.
PINOCCHIO: Constantly annoyed that the other fairytale characters don’t recognize him as a “real boy,” he overcompensates by jumping in to leadership roles in the fairytale community. The performer in this role must create a loveable yet neurotic character with the unique physicality of a jointed puppet.
GINGY, THE GINGERBREAD MAN: Puppeteering The Gingerbread Man is presented on a cookie sheet and puppeteer by the performer, who will sometimes be hiding, and sometimes be visible and dressed as “The Muffin Man”. Gingy is a spicy little cookie not afraid to speak his mind, even in times of peril, and will require an actor who is dedicated to mastering the puppetry of the character as well as the performance of the role.
THELONIUS, CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD: The leader of Farquaad’s armed forces and victim of many of Farquaad’s outbursts.
YOUNG FIONA: Young Fiona is a featured soloist in “I Know It’s Today,” during which we see Fiona as she grows older.
TEEN FIONA: Teen Fiona is a featured soloist in “I Know It’s Today,” during which we see Fiona as she grows older.
KING HAROLD AND QUEEN LILLIAN: Fiona’s parents are featured with small solos in the opening number, where we see them sending their daughter off to be kept in a tower.
MAMA and PAPA OGRE: Shrek’s parents are heavily featured soloists in the opening number, where we see them send Shrek out in to the world.
LITTLE SHREK: We see little Shrek in the opening number as he is sent off in to the world by his parents.
BIG BAD WOLF: The BBW is a gruff and masculine canine who just happens to be most comfortable in Granny’s housecoat and mop-cap, a choice that sees him persecuted by Farquaad’s soldiers.
BLUEBIRD: The Bluebird is a vocal solo for a soprano with an extremely high range. The Bluebird (played by a trick exploding bird puppet) sings back and forth with Fiona in Morning Person, singing higher and higher until Fiona’s high note causes the puppet to burst into a ball of exploding feathers. We would also consider an extremely accurate whistler for this role.
THE THREE BEARS: female (mama), male (papa) and (baby). The Three Bears family always appears together and often riff off one another on-stage.
THE THREE LITTLE PIGS: The three little pigs are from Germany (their lines are written in accent) and they are MOST disturbed by Farquaad’s removal of all fairytale characters from their homes to the swamp, as they are used to comfort and the finer things in life.
THE THREE BLIND MICE: The Three Blind Mice sing backup for Make a Move, presenting a sassy 60’s vibe. The performers in these roles need to be able to sing in close harmony and must be strong movers. In addition to their featured song, the Three Blind Mice also appear in all fairytale numbers.
THE PIED PIPER: The Pied Piper is featured in the song Morning Person as well as being part of the fairytale characters’ scenes and numbers. The role requires a strong mover, and we would love to cast a flautist to actually “pipe” on stage in the role, but it is not required.
THE KNIGHTS: The Knights have all been captured by Dragon to be her prisoners—and her backup singers when she feels like belting out a big diva number. The Knights must be able to sing in close harmony and must be strong movers.
BISHOP: The officiant at Farquaad and Fiona’s ill-fated wedding.
DULOC GREETER: The official “mascot” of Duloc greets, and is then terrified by, Shrek and Donkey. In trying to run, the greeter is repeatedly injured in a fun bit of physical comedy.
GRUMPY: Farquaad’s estranged father comes forward at the wedding to expose Farquaad’s troubled childhood as more fiction than fact.
THE SEVEN DWARVES: Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy, Bashful, Grumpy, Dopey, & Doc always appear together on stage, dance together in fairytale numbers, and will create comedic bits together as well. Actors in this group need to be strong physical performers with good comedic timing.
THE RATS: The Rats, after refusing to follow the Pied Piper’s boring old tune, perk up and get moving when Fiona teaches him some new music that jump-starts a lively tap routine. Performers in these roles must have a strong dance background, but it does not necessarily have to be in tap.
WEDDING CHOIR: The wedding choir provides beautiful music for Farquaad and Fiona’s walk down the aisle.
OTHER FEATURED FAIRY TALE CHARACTERS: The following additional fairytale characters make all have one or more small solos and some lines: Mad Hatter, Shoemaker’s Elf, Ugly Duckling, Peter Pan, Fairy Godmother, Wicked Witch, Sugar Plum Fairy & White Rabbit
ADDITIONAL FAIRYTALE CHARACTER ENSEMBLE: Additional Fairytale Character Ensemble members will be assigned specific characters, including (but not limited to!) Puss in Boots, Tinker Bell, Little Bo Peep, Rumpelstiltskin and more.