On the first Wednesday of August, my family and I traveled to Cresson Lake Playhouse to experience Shrek. Since his debut on the big screen in 2001, Shrek has been reimagined and has endured in the patheon of lovable bruts. Featured below is my Top 10 from the outstanding cast of characters who brought Shrek to musical life this summer.
#10 $1 Popcorn
If I have ever stepped foot in the Cresson Lake Playhouse before, I cannot remember doing so. Upon arrival, I was impressed by this historic house of theatrics. I had a back pocket, back row seat perfect for a Girl Dad who wants to stretch out as much as possible. Also, if I would fall asleep, wooden frames directly to my right would prevent whiplash. And I did not anticipate being bored to slumber, I am just programmed at this point in my life to get sleepy around 8:45 PM (8:30 PM) (8:25 PM) no matter where I am or what I am doing. I do admit that my head was like a fishing bobber after intermission yet that should not dismay the cast and crew. Much like Shrek, I am a creature of habit.
And all creatures must enjoy popcorn at a playhouse. Especially when it is being sold for four quarters. In a land of tariffs, price hikes, and tip options for every conceivable purchase or experience, it is nice to know there are still woodland playhouses selling $1 popcorn.
That's a fairy tale in and of itself.
#9 Gingerbread Man
The scene stealer of all scene stealers this night was the Gingerbread Man. Played by a female with such conviction, I could be convinced she was born a cookie. Her hostage scene was comparable to Anne Hathaway's performance in Les Miserables. We all dream big dreams. Sometimes though you just don't want to be eaten alive by a merciless, miniscule lord.
#8 Farquaad's Faces
That lord was Farquaad and that actor's facial expressions were pompous perfection. He consistently looked deformed in the face and acted deranged in the brain. His minions would repeat his name throughout the musical in a committed, comical chant. He scored big laughs from the crowd and rightfully so.
Also, rightfully so, he did not get the girl. (spoiler, Farquaad face)
#7 Peter Man
When Peter Pan came on stage for the first time, I was immediately struck by his beard and cave dweller appearance. I let it go (like Elsa), knowing that actors are probably hard to find and once found, you cannot force them to shave. Then many acts later, a mid-scene joke was told about Peter living in his parent's basement and never growing up.
Well played. Well played.
#6 Liars
I bought 3 no-bakes preshow and initially announced I would share them. With my wife or my daughters or the 3 little pigs.
In a dark playhouse, in the darkest corner, I ate all 3 before intermission.
Cheers, Pinocchio.
I'm a real boy.
#5 Musical Farts
Boys and girls can appreciate farting to music. It is not ogre. It is deeply, deeply human. Before the triangle and the tambourine, there was the fart. Shrek and Fiona did what all fine actors do - they challenged their inner child and pretended to pass gas into the audience to song.
Heartwarming.
Buttwarming.
#4 Fire Breathing Dragon
Another standout voice came from a red, murderous, flying beast. The girl who played the fire breathing dragon had an incredible voice. She was a scary good, fire breather. The costume design across the board was top knotch yet the dragon was a particularly creative creation. And while that female role did not breathe literal fire, her singing music scaled high on the chops thermometer.
Well done, dragon.
Voice of fire.
#3 Other Dads
At the playhouse, the seating is split by the stage so I had a Dad's eye-view of what I could ensure were the other Dads on the opposite side. During the performance, I could easily pick out the other head bobbers and concession stand invaders. We all share the same facial expressions, driving responsibilities, and sleep patterns. It was as if a spotlight shined on these men and proclaimed...
"You are not alone and you will be driving home in the dark."
#2 Let Your Freak Flag Fly
This number was the anthem of all Shrek anthems. The battle cry for all the misunderstood and misguided fairy tale characters. This performance, by a small army of iconic characters, was a trumpet blast to embracing who you are and where you have come from.
And that's a lesson every adult, child, ogre, and gingerbread man should live by...
Be you.
#1 To the Cast of Characters
In November of 2024, my oldest daughter had a role in a local rendition of Fiddler on the Roof. Many of her cast mates from that Imperial Russia setting made their way to Duloc and a Kingdom Far, Far Away. The guy who played Shrek was her father in Fiddler. The actor who shared the stage with her at UPJ was now Donkey...and kicked some acting a** like a playhouse Eddie Murphy.
Throughout the night, I fought of falling asleep by going down memory lane. From Fiddler, to Shrek, to every on stage opportunity my girls have experienced, a gratitude flag flies for all the local talent who have given us something to cheer for.
My girls fell asleep on the car ride home. I did not have that luxury. I was dutiful rather than envious. My sleep would come soon enough.
And when your kids are growing up fast and it is hard to slow things down, a playhouse performance might just be the place to go.
Sweet dreams, Johnstown.
Don't be a Farquaad.
