It’s long - about two and a half hours, including intermission - but you don’t mind because it’s chock full of clever fairy-tale humor and fabulous costumes (18 people on the costume team; whoever dressed the fabulous winged Dragon, Tiffany Barron, gets an extra gold star) plus many cute dances. (There is no choreographer listed but there was a loose program insert linking to a dance studio, which I lost - sorry.) With the help of A.D, Erin Hoard, Mary Teachout directed a cast of over 50 enthusiastic performers in this tale of an outcast ogre finding true love with the help of a donkey.
P.S. Director Mary sent this addition: " Heather Reed of Heather’s Dance Company in St John’s did our choreography. The duloc dancers and ‘rat tappers’ were from her studio.”
The music was pre-recorded (if you’re choosing seats at their website - almost sold out - do not avoid seats near the “orchestra” because there is no orchestra there. And that IS the aisle that Shrek and Donkey stroll through on a couple of occasions, so… if you want a close pass to greatness…) The scene changes are many, using projections and rolling set pieces and a busy set crew.
Matt Thelen was a gruff but lovable Shrek, exasperated by the persistent friendship of Antonius Watkins who made and ass of himself in all the best ways as Donkey. Mary Green’s Fiona was a spunky, engaging princess with a problem. Must she marry the hilariously puppet-legged Lord Farquuad (Aaron Swan) with his short stature and tall ego? All the fairy-tale outcasts were wonderful. We particularly liked Pinocchio (Iggy Arleth) Big Bad Wolf (Dan Braker) and the Muffin Man/Gingy (Madison Sharp)
Portland is about a half hour west of Lansing and their Shrek continues November 6, 11, 12, 13. Tickets at http://portlandcivicplayers.com