As a longtime admirer of the original “Shrek” film, my heart swells with nostalgia whenever I hear the familiar strains of “I’m a Believer” or see the iconic green ogre on screen. When “Shrek the Musical” first debuted years ago, it captured my heart, transforming a beloved movie into a vibrant stage spectacle. Having directed a junior version of the show and even donned the short stature and commanding presence of Lord Farquaad in a past production, I hold this musical close to my heart. So, when I heard that the creative team had undertaken revisions to the show, I was apprehensive. Why fix what isn’t broken? The buzz on the internet only deepened my concern. Articles, comments, and pictures painted a bleak picture, suggesting that one of my favorite shows was being dismantled. But is it true? Has “Shrek the Musical” been destroyed by these updates?

The new minimal set was wonderful! The idea to lessen the ensemble and employ puppets in certain key roles, fine. The use of a Greek chorus to get some of the exposition told, unique. The changes to the script to be more accepting of various marginalized groups. . .well they made the changes, but they sanitized the material to a point that makes it almost not worth witnessing. The original concept of the story was to accept everyone as they are anyway. . .was that not clear before?

Overall this production lacked energy. I wasn’t wowed. Big group numbers like “Story of my Life” didn’t have that Broadway energy. The tap dance number in “Morning Person” was gone. “The Ballad of Farquaad” is no more. The changes they made seemed strange and arbitrary. If you are going to make changes, you should make the material better. This just isn’t a great effort in the reviving of the material.

I can’t blame the cast on stage. They are there to entertain us. They tried really hard. Nicholas Hambruch, leading the cast as Shrek, brings a robust and heartfelt performance to the stage. His portrayal balances the gruff exterior and tender soul of the character, making the audience root for him from the get-go. His powerful voice and comedic timing bring new depth to Shrek, ensuring the character remains as endearing as ever.

Naphtali Yaakov Curry is a fantastic Donkey in this production. He has great comedic chops, always brings a smile to your face when he appears.

Princess Fiona, played by the talented Cecily Dionne Davis, shines brightly with her spunky and spirited interpretation.

I did like the idea of making the staging more minimalistic, as it employs use of the audience’s imagination when it comes to being an active theatre-goer. The audience was filled with children and if this show is the catalyst to get them to want to see more theatre, then I am okay with that.

In closing, this is a miss for me. That is, however, the great thing about art, it is subjective. To each their own!

“Shrek The Musical” runs until May 19, 2024 and is presented at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. For more information, click here.