It’s a big, bright, beautiful, rollicking world at “Shrek The Musical,” through Nov. 2 on Civic’s historic 19th Street Theater in Allentown.

The musical, based on the animated “Shrek” movie, is one big exuberant cartoon come to life on Civic’s stage.

The show is joyful, energetic and full of heart, embracing its over-arching message of being true to yourself.

Richie Warmkessel is large than life as the hapless green-skinned orge who finds himself in the unlikely position of rescuing a princess from a tower. Warmkessel not only conveys Shrek’s confident bluster, but also lets the audience see his insecurities in the touching “Who’d I’d Be” and “When Words Fail.”

Noah Schafer is hilariously frenetic as the hyper Donkey. He is the perfect comic foil to Shrek’s straight man in songs like “Don’t Let Me Go,” and “Travel Song.” Schafer also has a good mastery of physical comedy (especially considering he has hooves instead of hands) and his reactions are as fun to watch as his actions.

As the princess Fiona, Brook Harrsch is comedically brash and enjoyably down to earth. She is funny and relatable in “I Know it’s Today” (joined by Helena Putney as young Fiona and Hannah Snyder as teen Fiona), and hilariously high strung in “Morning Person.”

Harrsch’s Fiona and Warmkessel’s Shrek have a playful chemistry in “I Think I Got You Beat.”

Kudos to Jarrod Yuskauskas for dancing on his knees as Lord Farquaad. Yuskauskas is enjoyable evil as the height-impaired ruler and draws laughs with some of his more inventive moves.

Mack Bolan gives a memorable performance as the love-struck dragon in “Forever.”

A highlight of the show is the scenes with the fairy tale characters ably led by Patrick Mertz as Pinocchio and Alyssa Weber as Sugar Plum Fairy/ Gingy. The stage-filling crowd of colorful misfits is unforgettable and endearing.

The assorted characters all are funny and engaging in "Story of My Life" and “Freak Flag,” from a fey Peter Pan (Porter Severino) to the cross-dressing Big Bad Wolf (Maxwell McCurdy).

Director William Sanders keeps the crazy chaos humming, throwing in references to “Lion King” "Gypsy," "Les Miserables,” “A Chorus Line” and “Wicked” for theater buffs, local references to Yocco’s and Macungie and a sly political comment.

Musical director Nick Conti capably leads the seven-person orchestra which accompanies on the upbeat songs.

Choreography by Mackenzie Lewis is fun to watch and Kelcie Kosberg designs the puppets including Gingy and an exploding bird.

Set design by Josephine Genuardi is minimalist, with a few set pieces that roll in for specific scenes including Fiona’s tower and Duloc.

Costumes by Rigby Maiatico are eye-catching, particularly Shrek, Donkey, the dragon’s wings, Pinocchio’s nose and the Big Bad Wolf’s sequined sheath.

Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for students, seniors, and military personnel, and $13 for children age 13 and under.

Performances are 3 p.m. Oct. 26 and Nov. 2; 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31; and 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1.

For information, call 610-433-8903, or go to civictheatre.com/.