W.F. West Brings the Big Green Ogre to the Stage

What you know about fairy tales is about to be turned on its head as W.F. West Theatre & Music presents “Shrek The Musical.” 

The show opens Thursday in the R.E. Bennett auditorium. The tale is the story from the 2001 DreamWorks animated film, which spawned a 2008 Broadway musical, of Shrek the big, green ogre (portrayed by Sean Patrick, 14, a freshman) who lives in isolation in his swamp. 

But when the fairy tale creatures residing in the town of Duloc are banished to his swamp, Shrek strikes a deal with the evil Lord Farquaad (portrayed by Chris Bolduc, 18, a senior) to get his swamp back. He must rescue the lovely Princess Fiona (Josie Williams, 16, a junior) and Farquaad will return Shrek’s swamp. Though Shrek is used to being hated and feared he finds an unlikely friend in his quest in Donkey (portrayed by Taylor Gonia, 18, a senior). Along the way in this farcical romp get to know a host of entertaining fairy tale creatures as the three pigs, witches and the wolf. 

“It’s really fun to watch,” said Jordyn Watson, 15, a freshman, who plays Pinocchio in the tale. “Even just myself watching my fellow actors it’s really funny.” 

But unlike most fairy tales, this one takes a few unexpected turns along the way. Shrek learns to open himself to friendship and Fiona learns that not all happily ever afters look the same. 

“It’s not like your average fairy tale. It’s an ogre and a princess,” Williams said. “It’s a funny story and it’s a great, family-friendly musical.” 

“It’s a great story how the princess finds love, not through looks but through heart,” Gonia added. 

Director Brian Adams said he has wanted to produce this Broadway show since it first became available about four or five years ago but he was waiting for the right mixture of actors and actresses to make it possible. 

“The hardest part is you have to have a really good male lead for Shrek and male actors are kind of at a premium,” Adams said. “I had the right people at the right time.” 

The story line is the same in both the movie and the Broadway show of “Shrek.” Audience members who have seen only the movie will notice the music being the differing factor between the two. Other than the iconic “I’m a Believer” all the other songs in the Broadway musical are original for that piece. 

“The songs are really catchy,” said Patrick, who said it was quite the challenge to not only learn songs and choreography but also how to sing and talk with a Scottish accent. 

There are 31 actors and actresses in “Shrek The Musical,” including fifth and sixth graders from St. Joseph Catholic school, who will play the villagers of Duloc. There are also 15 musicians providing the show with live music from the pit. Another 15 students and community members make up the crew, whose work included hand making costumes, sets and props for the show. Adams said he takes very little credit for the show because of the tremendous number of other workers who make it happen. 

“It’s a student-run production,” Adams said. “They’re doing all of it. We give them the tools and they go.” 

On a historical note, Adams said that “Shrek The Musical” may be the final W.F. West Theater performance held at the Chehalis elementary school, which is slated to be replaced by Lintott Elementary in the fall of 2018. Plans for future use of the surplus school are still up in the air but Adams said he would love to see it turned into an arts center that could continue to benefit efforts like this theater production.