Get ready to journey to a kingdom far, far away as the UTD theatre program presents “Shrek: the Musical,” opening Oct. 23. This vibrant stage adaptation of the beloved DreamWorks film expands the story with a powerful soundtrack and a deeper look into the characters we’ve come to love.
The story follows the eponymous ogre Shrek on a journey of hope, courage and self-discovery. The cast and crew have been working all of fall semester to bring this fairytale world to life in a production that is both hilarious and heartfelt. Computer systems senior Abdullah Bitar, who is playing Shrek, said it best.
“I personally think the characters are a lot more fleshed out,” Bitar said. “You can connect more to these characters; they feel more like real people and less like archetypes because it is real people playing them and putting their own emotions into the show [with] experiences.”
The musical is celebrated for challenging traditional fairytale tropes, offering a diverse blend of themes covering everything from the oppression of fairytale creatures to heartfelt stories about self-acceptance and identity. Bitar said they felt like “Shrek” was a “cultural mixing pot” where everything works together to humanize the suffering of different oppressed groups while still managing to tackle complex topics like coming out stories with both humor and care.
For Lauren Rodriguez, a critical media studies senior playing Fiona in the show, this depth is what sets UTD’s adaptation apart.
“I think it goes a lot further than the movie does in the themes of the story, accepting not only how other people are, but how you are yourself,” Rodriguez said.
The production’s emotional core lies in its music. Songs like “Who I’d Be” or “This is how a Dream Comes True” explore angles of the characters the movie couldn’t.
“There is a saying in musical theater that characters break out into song when speaking isn’t enough to convey the emotion, and I live by that quote,” Rodriguez said. “All of the songs are such high [in] emotions and the songs humanize these characters, [making] them more relatable.”
Beyond the central romance between Shrek and Fiona, the musical’s storyline highlights the importance of friendship. Bitar sees a parallel between Shrek’s bond with Donkey and his own experience moving to the U.S. from Jordan in middle school — to a new country with no established contacts and unable to fluently speak the language yet.
“Finding my first friend was what helped me break through, and that is what Donkey is to Shrek, it’s that first person that breaks through,” Bitar said.
Bringing such a physically demanding show to life requires dedication. The cast rehearses five days a week, focusing on everything from vocal performance to choreography. Bitar said that when he found out about the show over the summer, he immediately began practicing accents which could fit the characters in the show. Visual and performing arts senior Charidan Matties, who plays Dragon in the musical, said that on top of practicing, balancing the role with off-stage life is incredibly important.
“Taking care of yourself is very important,” Matties said. “When you go to see [the musical] you will see that there’s a lot of moving parts, and a lot of [physically] demanding activities. We make sure to use physical warm-ups to help train breath work, making sure we are eating right and [sleeping].”
For the actors, connecting to their characters was a key part of the process. Rodriguez said that she sees herself in Fiona’s journey of breaking social norms.
“I have seen myself in Fiona for years, and as a queer woman I can relate to [her storyline],” Rodriguez said. “I think that everyone can see themselves in this show whether ethnicity, sexuality, gender any of it.”
Bitar said that when he played the lead character in “Heathers,” JD, he felt like he couldn’t make a real connection with the role. But “Shrek” was a completely different experience. Bitar said the connection with Shrek was instant because of shared feelings of ostracization.
“I have never been in the swamp, I have never been an ogre that everyone hates, but just the feeling of being ostracized, that is something everyone can relate to,” Bitar said. “That feeling of [wanting] to do something, but the world didn’t let [you], it’s this universal feeling.”
Matties had a different perspective, one focused on creative liberty. Dragon’s role in the musical is a non-verbal one, relying on mannerisms and solos. While that connection wasn’t as easily discovered, she said she found a way to make it her own.
“The song ‘Forever’ was written in a higher key, and I sing [a lower part], alto,” Matties said. “I knew if I kept it the way it was written, it wouldn’t feel like me and it would feel like I am separate from the dragon, and we are trying to craft the solo to fit my voice.”
The cast credits the show’s uplifting message and their own camaraderie to the positive and chaotic energy backstage.
“Everyone is so passionate about theater and the show,” Rodriguez said. “It’s so refreshing to come to a rehearsal where everyone wants to be there and loves the part they are playing.”
Shrek opens Oct. 23 and runs until Oct. 26, and returns the following week as a Halloween special Oct. 30 and 31. Show tickets are $15 for regular admission and free for UTD students with a Comet Card, as well as faculty and retirees with a valid UTD ID.
“‘Shrek: the Musical’ is a place where everybody can be accepted,” Bitar said. “It goes beyond just being a comedy. It’s an artistic piece that takes comedy and brings you someplace that is serious and emotional.”
