The magic of 2nd Star Productions’ Shrek the Musical begins before the curtain even rises. As one walks from the parking lot, this theater in the woods (Bowie Playhouse) provides the perfect, atmospheric entryway to Shrek’s swamp, complete with playful warning signs alerting patrons to ogres. I nside, the energy of the sold-out crowd was palpable. Shrek ears, available at the souvenir table, peeked out from all corners of the audience and even from within the orchestra pit. I found a seat near a young kid experiencing their very first live theater production, surrounded by family, explaining the magic of the stage. The scene was set for a special night out. Shrek the Musical is a story of love, friendship, and self-discovery. This fairytale stage adaptation features witty book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, paired with a vibrant, eclectic score by composer Jeanine Tesori, all based on the beloved 2001 DreamWorks animated film. Director Sami Peterson-Ferrell captured the heart and humor of the source material beautifully, creating an engaging environment that regularly broke the fourth wall. These interactive moments invited the audience to laugh, cheer, and “aww” right along with the fairytale creatures on cue. “In today’s society, it is imperative that we encourage individuality and celebrate our differences,” she writes in the director’s note, and she uses every opportunity to show when the characters let their guard down so their freak flag can fly.  Eric Meadows as Shrek in ‘Shrek the Musical.’ Photo by Jackson Photography. The opening sequence is a unique glimpse of Shrek and Fiona’s childhood, and it feels a little disjointed, though it drew several laughs. The fairytale creature eviction moment faces a similar hurdle, relying heavily on the audience’s knowledge of the plot to bridge narrative gaps. However, the show maintains an upbeat, fun rhythm, and the massive storybook pages turn, keeping the pacing crisp and highlighting the whimsy and fantasy of the fairy tale.  Equally vital to the show’s success was the spectacular work of music director Willie Hadnot Jr. The orchestra shared an incredible synergy with the cast, delivering a vibrant, polished performance. Working hand in hand with the music, choreographer Rosslyn Burrs made fantastic use of the ensemble dancers, seamlessly infusing the scenes with visual intrigue and putting the cast’s incredible dance talent on full display. When it comes to the cast, it is hard to say enough good things. James Claxton IV delivered a standout, absolute wow performance as Donkey. From his very first solo, Claxton commanded the stage with incredible vocal chops and physical comedy, easily projecting his dynamic movements right through an ill-fitted costume. He paired beautifully with Leilani Clendinin’s Dragon, who brought vocal power and a commanding presence to the stage. Clendinin’s performance was amplified by a massive, true-to-animation dragon head, though her staging was occasionally hindered by towering platform heels that restricted her movement. At the center of the swamp, Eric Meadows as Shrek and Dina Spyropoulos as Princess Fiona anchored the production with fantastic chemistry, both as friends and as more. Because Fiona isn’t introduced until the end of the first act, their romantic arc has to develop rapidly. Meadows and Spyropoulos pulled this off flawlessly in “I Think I Got You Beat,” deftly transitioning their characters from mutual tension to playful intrigue, making their eventual love story feel entirely earned. TOP LEFT: Eric Meadows as Shrek and James Claxton IV as Donkey; TOP RIGHT: Lillian Jackson as Teen Fiona, Dina Spyropoulos as Fiona, and Rosalie Kelly as Young Fiona; ABOVE: Johnny Dunkerly as Pinocchio, Josh Mooney as Lord Farquaad, and the cast, in ‘Shrek the Musical.’ Photos by Nate Jackson Photography. The vocal highlights continued with the show’s smaller ensembles. “I Know It’s Today,” sung by the three Fionas, was an absolute crowd-pleaser, featuring gorgeous, tight harmonies from Rosalie Kelly as Young Fiona, Lillian Jackson as Teen Fiona, and Spyropoulos. Jackson initially caught my eye as a Duloc Dancer, then returned in multiple roles to showcase her stellar dance skills and singing voice. As Lord Farquaad, Josh Mooney commanded the stage with a hilarious, scene-commanding comedic performance, while Johnny Dunkerly as Pinocchio deserved immense credit for maintaining an impressive, flawlessly squeaky falsetto while singing and speaking. Malarie Zeeks, pulling quintuple duty as Gingy, the Bluebird, and more, showed off remarkable vocal versatility and lovely dance skills. In the ensemble, Jaelyn King possessed a magnetic stage presence as a Duloc Dancer and Tap Rat, and I loved watching this young talent dance. If there was a weak link in the chain, it lay in the costuming and occasional lapse in character immersion. The wardrobe design felt unfinished and inconsistent. While most of the costumes were creative, precise, and meticulously crafted, some unfortunately missed the mark, with rough construction or poor fit. Similarly, during some of the ensemble scenes, the guards and pitchfork-wielding villagers sometimes broke character with big smiles. While villagers screamed and ran from Shrek, it felt more like a game of playful dress-up than a scary moment — a meta-moment so noticeable that Donkey even cracked a joke about it. Ultimately, nothing could derail the pure joy of this production. We, the audience, laughed, cheered, and sometimes even sang along. With a remarkably talented cast, a stellar orchestra, and an immersive atmosphere that begins at the parking lot, 2nd Star Productions has crafted a wonderfully fun, laugh-out-loud theatrical experience that encourages everyone to let their freak flag fly. Running Time: Two hours and 50 minutes with one intermission. Shrek the Musical plays through June 27, 2026 (Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.), presented by 2nd Star Productions performing at The Bowie Playhouse – 16500 White Marsh Park Drive in Bowie, MD. Tickets are $30 (general admission), $27 (seniors 62+), $19 (children under 12); group rates are also available. Purchase tickets through 2nd Star Productions online.  The show includes some potty humor and cast members moving through the aisles. The full cast and production credits are here.  ...read more read less