By Ande Jacobson

Sunnyvale Community Players’ junior production this year is Shrek the Musical. This is the full stage-version based on the 2001 DreamWorks animated film and the 1990 book by William Steig. There have been some subtle (and a few not-so-subtle) changes since the show’s initial Broadway release, but the story is still intact, and it’s a slightly twisted magical prince/princess kind of story with a happy ending and a rockin’ score.

Shrek is an ogre. While minding his own business contented in his solitude in his swamp, he is besieged by a host of misfit fairytale characters banished from their homes by the evil Lord Farquaad. In order to rid himself of the crowd, he heads off to argue with Farquaad on their behalf. Along the way, he rescues a talking donkey from a fierce dragon. Then Shrek inherits a mission to find and deliver a princess to Farquaad before he’ll take the misfits back.

Once Shrek finds Fiona (the princess that Farquaad sent him after), his real adventure begins. At first the two are at odds, but she has a secret. Shrek and Fiona have both endured their share of obstacles starting from a young age, each carrying scars from their ordeals. The two go back and forth and eventually forge a bond of friendship over, well, an odd commonality.

In the end, the real message is to be yourself as told in the “Let Your Freak Flag Fly” anthem. The show is filled with lively songs and dances, danger, and good old-fashioned fun suitable for the entire family.

This production features two casts of very talented young performers bringing the story to life – see the full cast lists here.

The production staff includes:

• Directors: Cindy and Ken Powell
• Vocal Director: Dan Shaindlin
• Choreographer: Jennifer Tipton
• Music Director: Kevin Surace
• Producers: Marcie & Steve Shapiro, Jenny Lipps

The rockin’ score will be brought to you by Kevin Surace and his live orchestra including:

• Strings: Steven Adkins, Griff Derryberry, Annette DeSchon, Nathaniel Mailoa, David, Lake, Michael Perry, Jamie Yuen, Jessica Yuen
• Reeds: Ande Jacobson, Keith Leung
• Brass: Jason Loveman, Jerry Simon, Ken Thomas
• Keyboards: Karen Adkins, Monica Bugaoan-Abakan
• Drums and Percussion: Tara Noble, Bob Wylie

Tickets are available online through the Sunnyvale Community Players website or by phone at 408-733-6611. The show runs Fridays – Sundays, 24 February – 12 March 2017.

Performances will be at the Sunnyvale Community Center Theater located at: 550 E. Remington Dr., Sunnyvale CA 94087.

There will be no A Good Reed Review review for this one as yours truly will once again be sitting in the pit contributing to the instrumental excitement of this production.

(Banner courtesy of Sunnyvale Community Players)