After a month of rehearsals in New York City, the cast of Shrek The Musical — and a live orchestra — are ready to open the show in Abu Dhabi on March 24.
Based on the DreamWorks trilogy, the musical follows the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre named Shrek and his unlikely love interest: the seemingly human Princess Fiona, who turns out to have some ogre in her, too.
32 performers — including the show’s leads Kyle Timson, 22, and Lindsay Dunn, 23 — will bring the story to life with song and dance at du Forum (March 24-26) and Dubai Media City Amphitheatre (March 30-April 3).
In the meantime, Timson and Dunn tell us how they get into character — and what the toughest part of their human-ogre transformation is.
For fans of the movie, what can they expect from this live show?
Timson: The show has everything the movie had and more. We have all of your favourite characters, the drama, the comedy, the romance, and the happy ending on top of the extras that come along with doing a musical like singing and dancing.
Dunn: It’s the same story you know and love with spectacular musical numbers and fun fairy tale characters that make the story even better.
Had you seen ‘Shrek’ before getting this gig?
Timson: I had seen all the movies growing up and seen the musical on Broadway. I had also done the show before at a theatre in the United States so I am very experienced when it comes to Shrek.
Dunn: Yes! My favourite actress, Sutton Foster, played the role of Fiona on Broadway. It’s an honour to be filling her shoes.
What is it about the story, do you think, that resonates with people?
Timson: The major theme of the musical is that everyone should be themselves. No matter how weird you are or what you look like, there are people out there that will accept you. Everyone can find a happy ending.
Dunn: I think the message that stands out the most is to see people for who they are, and not their appearance. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
What’s your favourite song to perform?
Timson: My favourite song is definitely the act one finale, Who I’d Be. Shrek is so grumpy the whole first act. He is so used to pushing everyone away and being alone that he never really opens up. Finally, at the end of act one, he does and really unleashes all of his hopes and dreams. This is my favourite part of the show because it’s when Shrek is most human and exposed.
Dunn: I love doing the opening of act two. It’s a number called Rat Tap where Fiona tap dances with the Pied Pipers rats.
What’s the most challenging part?
Timson: The make-up and the costume definitely add a challenge to the show. It gets very warm under the stage lights as the show goes on. But it’s nothing a little Gatorade can’t fix.
Dunn: Rat Tap — it’s very physically demanding because I have to tap and sing at the same time.
How much can you relate to — or not relate to — your character?
Timson: I relate to Shrek a lot. Being a bigger guy growing up, there were definitely points in my life where I felt self-conscious about the way I looked. Every day Shrek tells the audience to be themselves, I’m personally reminded as well.
Dunn: I can relate to Fiona quite a bit, she is hiding a big part of her life in fear of people not accepting her, and I have things in my life that I know could affect how people treat me. I think we all do to a certain extent.
Other than your own, who’s your favourite character and why?
Timson: Donkey is my favourite character, other than my own. He is funny, charming, and wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s never afraid to be himself or say how he’s feeling. I admire these qualities a lot.
Dunn: Donkey. He’s just so happy-go-lucky and has some of the best songs in the show. I wish I could play him for a night.
What’s your costume like, and what is it like getting into it?
Timson: The costume is very big to make me look “ogre-esque”. It involves a large fat suit, the clothes we’re used to seeing Shrek wearing, and [10cm] platform lifts in my boots to make me seem taller.
Dunn: My costume is a beautiful dress with embroidery around the torso. It appears that I have the same costume almost the whole show, but when I turn into an ogre, I get painted green and have to wear a padded suit. All of the changes happen rather quickly, so it’s definitely a challenge.
How long have you been in this profession?
Timson: I’ve been professionally acting for four years now. I went to the University of Michigan for a degree in musical theatre, which is where I really learnt how to do what I do at a professional level.
Dunn: I’ve been singing and dancing before I could walk and talk. I started to dance at a studio when I was three years old, and then started competitively dancing. My teacher heard me sing one day and told me I should sing and dance at the dance competitions. So I started doing Broadway show tunes, which turned into a love for theatre, which encouraged me to go to college for theatre, and now, here I am! Wouldn’t want it any other way.
Don’t miss it
Tickets are Dh200-Dh1,950, available on tixbox.com.
