DAN'S PAPERS, January 9, 2009 Page 30 www.danshamptons.com
theater review/gordin & christiano
Shrek the Musical is a delightful winner! Here is a fun-loving, big Broadway show for the entire family. Retaining the heart and style of the immensely popular 2001 animated film Shrek, the musical stays close to the original story while expanding on the background of the beloved characters in enchanting ways. And there is a fresh pop score by Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie) with blues and gospel influences. The clever lyrics are by David Lindsay-Abaire (2007 Pulitzer Prize winner), who is also responsible for the book. Everything you probably liked about the movie is still there, including some irreverent crude humor, which pops up unexpectedly to rescue awkward moments in the plot. To reclaim the swamp where he lives from squatting, displaced fairy creatures, Shrek the ogre, who was originally a cartoon character in William Steig’s book of the same name, must rescue Princess Fiona from the dragon-guarded tower. If he brings her to the evil Lord Farguaad, the latter will then become king of Dulac and allow the fairies to return. Along the way, Shrek learns about love and not judging others by their appearances. The sweet story is basically about abandoned children and discovering how to “let your freak flag fly.” The four principal actors are outstanding. Broadway leading man Brian d’Arcy James (a handsome tenor) obscured under layers of latex is charming and believable as Shrek the ogre. We follow him and his new best friend, a swishy donkey, played by Daniel Breaker with endearing style, as they set off to rescue Princess Fiona, played to perfection by Sutton Foster. Ever since
Photo by Joan Marcus
Review: Shrek the Musical
Brian d’Arcy, Daniel Breaker and Sutton Foster
she burst onto the scene, winning a Tony for Thoroughly Modern Millie, audiences have been in love with Sutton. Along with singing and dancing beautifully, she shows off her great comic skills here in a role that allows her to really let loose. Christopher Sieber is a riot as the evil Lord Farguaad, giving him a basic neediness combined with an overriding selfishness that is hysterical. And he plays the entire role, singing and dancing on his knees with artificial mechanical legs hanging from his waist. The device and the actor are priceless. With a budget of reportedly $24 million, Dream Works Theatricals, making its first foray into theater, has apparently used the money wisely. Tim Hatley’s impressive designs combine high-tech with old style backdrops, while adding pop-up visuals, puppets and lavish costumes to create a lush fantasy setting. If your kids liked the movie, they will surely love the Broadway musical. And adults, too, will enjoy this gleeful staging. Director Jason Moore meshes everything nicely despite some uneven patches which dilute the momentum. And although it takes a long time for the emotional center to show itself, along the way there is never a dull moment. Shrek the Musical opened at The Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway at 53rd Street, on December 14, 2008. Tickets are available by calling Telecharge.com at 212239-6200, online or at the box office. Theater critics Barry Gordin & Patrick Christiano are members of the Drama Desk. Barry is an internationally renowned photographer. Patrick is the artistic director of SivaRoad Productions. Visit their website at theaterlife.com.
Honoring the Artist: Rafaela Gurtler While Rafaela Gurtler can claim an unusual distinction by being the first cover artist who is a high school student, she is well on her way to becoming a bone fide artist in her own right. When she showed Eric Reynolds, her music teacher at Pierson High School, one of her paintings for the school’s Winter Concert, he insisted she submit it for cover consideration. Yet Gurtler is not only a budding artist; she is also committed to jazz performance. In fact, we may say that she is a multi-talented young woman who is well on her way to success. Q: Where did you get the idea for the cover? A: I wanted to paint something local and in the winter. The Sag Harbor Movie Theatre is a place from our town that everyone recognizes. Q: Even though you love art, you are going to major in jazz performance, which is really unusual for a major, and I would think unusual for a woman, too. How did you become interested in it? A: I remember in the eighth grade I wrote a school report about jazz performers like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. I got a chance to listen to their music, and I was hooked. Q: Is there anyone in your family with a music and art background? A: My father is a graphic artist, and my mom has
a very good voice. Q: How about where you may be going to college for jazz? Isn’t that a fairly new field of study? A: Yes, it is. If you majored in jazz, you usually had to study classical music first. I am thinking of going to William Patterson College in New Jersey or City College in New York. They both have good music programs. Q: Don’t you want to be in New York, where you can hear jazz in clubs and restaurants? A: Yes, but you can see Manhattan from William Patterson in New Jersey. It’s really close. Q: Is there a musician in Sag Harbor whom you particularly admire? A: Yes. Hal McKusick. I’ve been to several of his shows in churches here, and he’s so inspiring. He’s also a good teacher. He teaches at the Ross School. I’ve had lots of good teachers, too. Q: Have you ever considered being in the musical theatre after you graduate in jazz performance? A: It’s really tough in the theatre. You have to per-
form the same way every night. Jazz can change every day. So can art. It would be fun to audition for a Broadway play, however. Q: How does playing the flute in Pierson’s band help you with your singing? A: It helps your lungs get stronger. I am also on the crosscountry team. That helps me with my breathing. Q: And how does art help you with music? How are they similar for you? A: They both give me discipline. And I really enjoy doing art and music. You have to enjoy it. In music, for example, you can’t just play notes. You have to have emotion. Art is also emotional. Jazz brings so much to people. It’s alive; it can make you cry. Q: I’m just curious. What’s your favorite musical play? A: West Side Story. Q: Mine, too. I never ran into someone who liked it as much as me. A : Now you have.