Students performed “Shrek the Musical” in Norris University Center’s Louis Room on Friday and Saturday, in a production designed for the Evanston community, specifically children.
Based on the film “Shrek,” the musical tells the story of an outcast ogre who rescues a princess and falls in love. Ostracized by Lord Farquaad’s policies, Shrek and the other fairy tale characters navigate life in the kingdom of Duloc while their identities are under persecution.
Although the performances took place on Northwestern’s campus, the show was geared toward not only students but also the Evanston community.
Producer and Weinberg senior Jessica Dean said having kids come to the show was fulfilling.
“To have kids actually come and watch it, the intended audience of our show, is really nice,” she said.
Dean also said that the Purple Crayon Players, an NU-based theater board for young audiences, helped with the production by building sensory kits for children who attend and organizing an arts and crafts station at intermission.
Director and Communication junior Alex Lopez said he was inspired to direct the show because it was targeted at the community beyond the University and Evanston community members were able to come to the show for free.
“Being able to provide that accessibility, that diversity and representation, with such an empowering and exciting show with so many great people on campus to work with, was an opportunity that I was excited about,” Lopez said.
The show gave community members an opportunity to connect with NU students more personally.
Weinberg senior Pedro Rodriguez, who played Shrek, said it was rewarding to meet with audience members after the show.
“Everybody is just so excited, and these kids, maybe they’re a little off-put by how green we are or how big these costumes are, but they truly show us what their form of appreciation for the show is, and it’s really adorable,” he said.
Rodriguez added that some children wore costumes to the show, and one was proud to show him the craft she made during intermission.
While the musical was certainly kid-friendly, it wasn’t entirely upbeat. Some of the more poignant scenes, including the banishment of fairytale characters and Shrek and Fiona’s struggle to accept themselves, involved deeper themes the cast sought to highlight, Lopez said.
“I think a lot of theater for young audiences sometimes can underestimate the way that children can process complex emotions,” he said. “In putting up the show, I’ve not been steering away from, but instead leaning into, the kind of context that makes the characters’ lives so difficult.”
Lopez added that the company had intense conversations about marginalization and authoritarianism so they could apply their personal experiences in the show.
“We’ve achieved a strong balance of being able to have light-hearted, comedic, incredibly fun and enjoyable elements, but also being able to have strong emotional truths and not hide that kind of complexity of life from children,” he said. “Which is something that I’m really proud of my team for being able to accomplish and recognize.
Email: [email protected]
Related articles:
— ‘Footloose’ and fancy-free: The Dolphin Show to debut 80s-inspired musical in January
— ‘The Addams Family’ blends heart and humor, drawing full houses at Wirtz Center
— Wirtz Center debuts ‘Doctor De Soto,’ inspires next generation through theater
