Kelly is a guest blogger who works in the nonprofit field, throws things in dirt to see if they grow, tries her best to raise a small human, occasionally appears on local theater stages, and enjoys a great cup of coffee.
On the outskirts of the Kingdom of Duloc lives Shrek, a big, green, blunt, but completely lovable, ogre. Suddenly, his peaceful swamp is full of fairytale creatures evicted by Lord Farquaad, and chaos (and laughs) ensue. This is the scene for Wolf Performing Arts Center's Production of DreamWorks Shrek the Musical, and it’s a blast for the whole family.
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| Shrek the Musical by Wolf PAC, now playing at Delaware Theatre Company. |
From the very first moments, we were drawn into the parallel stories of young Shrek and young Fiona, two children cast out by their parents and left to find their own way. The story quickly moves to adult Shrek (played by Cullen Hussey) navigating his new “neighbors” and the unexpected journey ahead.
Shrek doesn’t venture to Duloc to face Lord Farquaad alone. He’s joined by Donkey, brought to life by the incredibly talented Danny Wilfred. Any scene with Donkey earned huge laughs from our group — kids and adults alike. His impeccable comedic timing, boundless energy, and charmingly relentless personality make him both lovably annoying and an undeniable fan favorite.
The duo is soon lured into a side quest by Lord Farquaad, who promises Shrek his swamp back if he rescues Princess Fiona, locked away in a distant tower. Shrek reluctantly agrees, and off they go, sparking a series of adventures full of laughs, heart, and unexpected friendships.
Fiona is brilliantly portrayed by Bridget Gooley, whose vocals are stunning and whose chemistry with both Shrek and Donkey turns this unlikely trio into a team you can’t help but root for.
Shrek doesn’t venture to Duloc to face Lord Farquaad alone. He’s joined by Donkey, brought to life by the incredibly talented Danny Wilfred. Any scene with Donkey earned huge laughs from our group — kids and adults alike. His impeccable comedic timing, boundless energy, and charmingly relentless personality make him both lovably annoying and an undeniable fan favorite.
The duo is soon lured into a side quest by Lord Farquaad, who promises Shrek his swamp back if he rescues Princess Fiona, locked away in a distant tower. Shrek reluctantly agrees, and off they go, sparking a series of adventures full of laughs, heart, and unexpected friendships.
Fiona is brilliantly portrayed by Bridget Gooley, whose vocals are stunning and whose chemistry with both Shrek and Donkey turns this unlikely trio into a team you can’t help but root for.
A special shoutout goes to Carl Nathaniel Smith, who masterfully takes on the physically demanding role of Lord Farquaad as he spends the entire show on his knees in a cleverly designed costume that creates the illusion of Farquaad’s diminutive stature.
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| Part of the cast of Shrek the Musical by Wolf PAC, now playing at Delaware Theatre Company. |
Themes of inequality, acceptance, belonging, and vulnerability weave through the entire production, approached with just the right balance of sincerity and comedy, making it ideal for a family-friendly show. These themes culminate beautifully in the final musical number, “Let Your Freak Flag Fly,” an anthem of self-acceptance that had our whole row smiling and singing along.
From start to finish, the show was an absolute delight. And in the spirit of the holidays, we give this production 11 lords-a-leaping!
DreamWorks Shrek the Musical is running at the Delaware Theatre Company from December 3–21, with both daytime and evening performances available. It’s a fantastic outing for families looking for fun, laughter, and a little heartwarming ogre wisdom.