Crowds roared with laughter as the cast of “Shrek the Musical” hit the stage in Prince Rupert.
The community production, directed by Heather MacRae, wowed audiences April 10 to 12 at the Lester Centre of the Arts. It was made possible through the tireless efforts of approximately 75 volunteers, including actors, crew members, musicians, and the technical and production teams, who dedicated countless hours over the past three months to deliver the show.
The story followed an ogre, an unlikely hero, on a life-changing quest to rescue a feisty princess. A wisecracking, talking donkey joined him. Add in a short-tempered king, a sassy gingerbread cookie, and a dozen quirky fairy tale misfits, and the result was a whimsical whirlwind that delivered a visual treat for all.
The immaculate score by Jeanine Tesori, brought to life under the musical direction of Kristy Tillman and a dynamic band, amplified the energy of the dialogue and seamlessly carried each scene forward. Hailee Ventura’s spot-on, comical choreography made every movement on stage feel animated and full of life. The combination of these kept audiences glued to their seats, with barely a moment to blink.
Andy Enns brought depth and heart to the role of Shrek, capturing the ogre’s gruff desire for solitude while subtly revealing his loneliness, making him instantly relatable to the audience.
A local theatre veteran for over 25 years, Enns’ experience shone through in a grounded performance. Opposite him, Paula Loroff was equally compelling as Princess Fiona, portraying her fiery spirit, layered frustrations and heartfelt emotion. The chemistry between them had the audience wholeheartedly rooting for their love story.
Billy Davy delivered a standout performance as Donkey, despite it being his first-ever play. He blended sharp comedic instincts with impressive physicality. His animated expressions and full-bodied acting created a lovable, larger-than-life character that had the audience feeling every emotional beat of his journey.
“The local talent here is amazing,” said the donkey. “It was my first time acting. I learned a lot on the spot, and I owe it all to my teachers and directors. I’m just a meat puppet, they pulled the strings,” he said.
Shala McCarthy, as the dragon’s voice, electrified the stage with her feature song. Her notes earned her thunderous applause.
Tristan Higginson convincingly portrayed Lord Farquaad and did not “fall short” in any way. The fairy tale misfits opposed to the Lord of Duloc dazzled with punchy dialogue and crisp, coordinated choreography.
Chrystopher Thompson was the play’s assistant director and has been a theatre enthusiast for two decades, since he was in Grade 10 at Charles Hays Secondary School.
“Every time you go through a musical, you get a lovely extended family, a theatre family,” said Thompson. “I’m always impressed with just how much everybody ends up doing. A lot of this is uncomfortable sometimes, but people go out of their comfort zones and impress me, I’m so proud of them.”
He stated that the team’s extensive hours dedicated to the musical are very satisfying and bring them great joy.
“I truly believe that a community that sings together is a reflection of a truly good community,” the assistant director added.
“I have two overwhelming feelings, that are thankfulness and pride,” said Thompson.
He reflected on how participants embraced additional tasks such as carpentry and building the dragon during extra hours, and some would willingly take home chores such as sewing costumes.
“Shrek the Musical” was the final show for Dwain Harrison, technical director at the Lester Centre since 2017. Known for his precision with lighting and sound, he also brought in friends to help build set pieces such as a castle. A longtime supporter of the local music scene, Harrison will retire in spring 2025 after years of dedicated service to the arts community.
Jewel Jerstad successfully led the costume department, creating impeccable wardrobe pieces. The contributions of Ellory Clayton, who energetically conducted and coached singers of all ages, were also noteworthy.
Additionally, Katie Bodger, who managed the stage, and Castor Angus, who effectively managed the floor and all its associated elements, ensured everything ran smoothly.
Chris Armstrong, the producer and manager of the Lester Centre, couldn’t be more grateful to everyone for their hard work in making the show a hit.
The director, Heather MacRae has been dancing since she was five and acting since high school. Thanks to her clear vision and passionate direction, every element of the show, from acting to staging, came together in perfect harmony.
Hundreds of Rupertites attended every showing of the musical, making for a packed auditorium. Children under 12 received free tickets for the Saturday matinee to experience this magic through a partnership between the Lester Centre and Trigon.
