Q&A: Shrek The Musical

Andrew Di Rosa as Shrek in Lower Ossington Theatre's production of Shrek The Musical.

Since the 2001 release of Dreamworks’ fairytale musical Shrek, the story about a green ogre his donkey friend has charmed audiences both young and old. In 2008, the film was adapted into an original Broadway production and has since toured all over the world. This fall, Toronto audiences have the chance to see the Lower Ossington Theatre's presentation of Shrek The Musical, opening today at the Randolph Theatre. 

Here, we chat with Andrew di Rosa (Shrek) about this particular stage adaptation of the film with its incredible costumes and timeless message of love and friendship.

Theatromania: Is Lower Ossington Theatre's production of Shrek The Musical at the Randolph Theatre true to the original Broadway production or are there elements unique to this version?

AD: I think that production is very unique! You get to take a film that people know and love and show it to an audience in such a different way. The show itself has been altered since its Broadway debut, songs have been altered and cut and replaced. There are songs not on the album and lyrics you’ve never heard before. Our production, based on its casting alone, is also very different. For starters we have a much smaller cast and therefore have many people playing several different roles and doing a fantastic job differentiating their fairy tale creatures - guards, rats, Duloc residents - and all the other characters they get to play. Our cast is incredibly strong and our director has found the best performers to play these parts. I’m ecstatic to get to work with them.

Theatromania: When Shrek was released in 2001, it was a massive success with young and old audiences alike. Do you expect to see that mix of ages in attendance at the Randolph Theatre?

AD: I absolutely think that this show is going to attract children and adults alike. The moral of Shrek the Musical is readily accessible to all age groups. It's relatable, it's funny and it’s extremely relevant. This is a story about a misunderstood ogre who longs for love and belonging and that is something everyone can relate to whether you’re six or 60. It's got every thing from fart jokes to heart wrenching ballads to references poking fun at Disney, Dreamgirls, Bob Fosse and Stephen Schwartz. Its message is timeless and it will appeal to the child in all of us.

Theatromania: Tell us a bit about your experience with the costumes for this production.

AD: The costumes are extraordinary for this production. For Shrek, I had my whole head and face cast moulded and from that a foam rubber headpiece was made to create the large nose and the ears that Shrek is famous for. It covers my whole head, neck, chin and forehead leaving just enough space for me to sing and see. As I am sure you can guess, it is like an oven under there! The foam rubber really seals in the heat and the fat suit and heavy costuming keeps me nice and toasty throughout the performance but I would not have it any other way. Nothing can get you into character better than the head piece and costuming. It changes how you walk, it changes your speed and it changes how you see the world. It’s really quite awesome.

Theatromania: While staging this production, which is adapted from a computer-animated film, did you run into any challenges?

AD: After initially reading the script I was very confused about how certain things were going to be adapted for the stage. My mind kept jumping to the scene in the movie where Shrek, Donkey and Fiona are running through the castle being chased by the dragon and I would get very worried. But our director, Seanna Kennedy, with the help of the amazing crew, helped to ease all my worries and has created a really entertaining show with some amazing visuals and some awesome spectacle. The dragon will be a sight to see, that’s for sure. When you’ve got great source material, such as the film version of Shrek, you have to honour the expectations and show the audience the things they love about the movie but I find that there is really some wonderful freedom in embracing the differences that come with staging the musical. It is different in many ways but it’s going to appeal to anyone who loves the characters and the movie.

Theatromania: The story of Shrek is an inspiring one with a wonderful message about friendship and love. What do you hope audiences take away from the stage production?

AD: Personally, playing Shrek has been a wonderful journey for me. Shrek is a truly unorthodox hero, but a hero nonetheless. He just looks a little different and sees the world in a different way as his life has been very sheltered. He is someone who is misunderstood, different and bullied but underneath his tough outer shell is a hurt character with big heart. The audience gets to see him find friendship and find love and watching someone get the chance to follow their heart is wonderful to see. He gets to overcome adversity and live happily ever after and (hopefully) the audience is going to cheer for him and the other characters. There is a beautiful message to this story and I hope the audience leaves the theatre with that message resonating for them personally. Shrek the Musical is about the impossible becoming possible for a group of misunderstood creatures and who doesn’t love to watch that?

Catch Andrew Di Rosa as Shrek in Shrek The Musical until October 19 at the Randolph Theatre (736 Bathurst Street). Click here to buy tickets. 

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