Synopsis
Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek The Musical JR., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical. It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.
Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he's handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn't be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.
Character Descriptions
Featured Roles
Shrek
He may be a big, scary, green ogre to the rest of the world, but as the story reveals, he's really just a big fellow with a big heart. Singing & speaking role. Gender: male
Fiona
She may appear to be an ideal princess straight from the fairy tale books, but there is more to her than that stereotypical image. She has a wonderful sense of humor! Singing & speaking role.
Donkey
A brash, loud, fast-talking animal with no concept of "quiet time." Donkey complements Shrek well as his loyal and ever-faithful sidekick. Mostly speaking role with some singing.
Lord Farquaad
A very short man with big ambition! He is solely interested in gaining as much power as possible. This is a comedic role. Speaking role with limited solo singing role.
Storytellers
These characters are important for setting up the world and moving the story forward. Speaking role.
Pinocchio
The wooden boy who cannot tell a lie without being betrayed by his growing nose. Pinocchio begins in a sour mood about his second-class status but ends the story as a natural leader among the Fairy Tale Creatures. Solo singing and speaking role.
Dragon
A ferocious fire-breathing dragon but finds a surprising love in Donkey. Full solo role with limited speaking.
Young Fiona & Teen Fiona
Young Fiona and Teen Fiona are younger versions of Fiona. They sing solo and with adult Fiona on I Know It’s Today. Will be able to join the ensemble in other parts of the show.
Mama Ogre and Papa Ogre
These characters are Shrek’s parents. They kick off the show with a lot of energy and presence. Solo singing at the beginning of the show. Will be able to join the ensemble in the rest of the show after scene 1.
Little Ogre
This character does not have lines, but he is very important to the storytelling. No singing or speaking lines, but will be able to join the ensemble in the rest of the show after scene 1.
The Three Little Pigs
Pig 1, Pig 2 and Pig 3. The classic three little pigs with a German twist. Brief speaking and solo singing lines.
Ugly Duckling
Ugly Ducking may be bitter about his unfortunate appearance, but he does find camaraderie among his fellow fairy tale outcasts. Brief speaking and solo singing lines.
The Three Bears
Mama Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby Bear. Brief speaking and solo singing lines.
Wicked Witch
She has a big personality! Brief speaking and solo singing lines.
Big Bad Wolf
He doesn't need to be a scary, threatening big-bad-wolf type. At this point, he's a pretty tame wolf who is reduced to wearing Little Red Ridinghood's grandmother's dressing gown. Brief speaking and solo singing lines.
Gingy
Gingy is based on the Gingerbread Man who runs away like a fugitive from his baking captors. Brief speaking and solo singing lines.
Peter Pan
The boy who never grew up, and he continues to act the part in this story. Brief speaking and solo singing lines.
Captain Of The Guard
This character needs a big, booming voice and who isn't scared to put all the Fairy Tale Creatures in their place. Speaking/acting role with no solo singing.
Knights
The Dragon's background singers who all tried at some point to save Fiona from her tower but were held hostage by the Dragon. Brief speaking lines.
Dwarf
Farquaad's comparably short and grumpy father. Brief speaking lines.
Ensemble Roles – Ensemble students and featured fairy tale characters (listed above) will be able to play many of these characters throughout the show.
Fairy Tale Creatures – Additional fairy tale characters will be based on what costumes we have available. That list could include the following characters: Humpty Dumpty, Three Blind Mice, Snow White, Evil Queen, Alice in Wonderland, Queen of Hearts, Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, Prince Charming, Cinderella, Fairy Godmother, Little Bo-Peep, Little Miss Muffet, Belle, Beast, Robin Hood, Rapunzel, Goldilocks, Sugar Plum Fairy, Tooth Fairy, Tinkerbell, Prince Eric, Ariel, Elsa, Anna, Aladdin, Jasmine, Little Red Riding Hood – whatever we can find costumes for. We don’t necessarily have all of these characters’ costumes.
Duloc Guards
Duloc Performers
Pied Piper
Rats
Bishop
Birds, Trees, Deer, Woodland Creatures
Knights
Dragonettes