"It has incredible music. It's heartwarming. It's so funny," says Mimi Warnick, Producing Artistic Director for Delaware Theatre Company. "It really spans across generations."
The show was produced by Wolf Performing Arts Center.
Janine Merolla is both directing "Shrek the Musical," and Artistic Director for Wolf Performing Arts Center, which she describes as "a nonprofit theatre education organization for children, kindergarten through 12th grade."
The story follows Shrek, an ogre who lives alone in a swamp.
Actor Cullen Hussey is playing the title role of Shrek.
"He very much just starts off as a social outcast," says Hussey. "The only way he can enjoy life is by telling himself that he's happy to be alone."
But he soon has company, after the villainous Lord Farquaad banishes all of the fairy tale creatures to the swamp for being different.
"He sets out to make things right," says Merolla.
Along the way, he meets his best friend, Donkey. The fast-talking Donkey brings comic relief.
"He is 100% himself and authentic in everything that he does and doesn't really care about how people perceive him," says Danny Wilfred, the actor playing Donkey.
Together, Donkey and Shrek rescue Princess Fiona from her tower of isolation.
"Shrek initially thinks, you know, 'pampered princess,'" says Hussey.
But Fiona has a secret.
"She's princess by day, ogre by night," says Bridget Gooley, the actor playing Princess Fiona. "She's looking for true love."
And when she does meet her prince, Gooley says "it's just not what she expects."
It's a story about self-acceptance.
"Being who you are is really what 'Shrek' is all about," says Wilfred.
"It's also, don't judge a book by its cover," says Gooley.
In the end, Shrek sheds his loner life.
"He eventually learns to enjoy the company of others," says Hussey.
"And what better way to get through this life than together," says Merolla.
"Get a little green in your life," says Gooley.
"Shrek the Musical" runs December 3 - 21 at Delaware Theatre Company.
For more information:
"Shrek the Musical"
Wolf Performing Arts Center
Link to Tickets at Delaware Theatre Company
Delaware Theatre Company
200 Water Street
Wilmington, Del. 19801