Munopco returns to the stage with "Shrek the Musical," in a big, bright, colorful, triumphant performance.The energy on the stage is palpable as Munopco presents its first in-person show since the pandemic, through Sept 26 at Allentowns Scottish Rite Cathedral.Director Daniel Petrovich keeps the pace moving and music director Chris Hamm keeps the songs flowing in the lightweight story based on the animated film "Shrek" about a green-skinned ogre who rescues a princess with the help of a talking donkey.Rob Clausnitzer is well-cast as the cantankerous, but kind-hearted ogre and delivers Shreks wise-cracking comments with aplomb.
Clausnitzer is a talented singer and is heartfelt on ballads like "Who Id Be" and "When Words Fail" as well as funny on the more humorous songs like "Big, Bright, Beautiful World."
Monica Handwerk is delightfully high-strung and brassy as the princess Fiona and proves herself as adept at comedy as she is at singing in the amusing coffee-fueled ditty "Morning Person."A highlight of the show is "I Know Its Today" in which Handwerk leads a trio with younger versions of Fiona, played by Angelina Dries and Emily Bellfy, who contribute both pleasing solos and charming harmonies.Totally hilarious is "I Think I Got you Beat" a show-stopper which ends with an outrageous competition of rude sounds between Clausnitzers Shrek and Handwerks Fiona.Shy Torres has all the right moves as the motor-mouth Donkey. Torres mines the comedic depths of the character, while still making Donkey sympathetic.Clausnitzer and Torres also play well off each other in the "buddy road trip" vein, and the punch buggy scene is a hoot.Kristofer Swanson as the height-impaired Lord Farquaad steals every scene hes in. Even though the diminutive character has some of the least memorable songs, Swanson makes the most of them, infusing them with hilarious attitude. Kudos to costume manager Connie Santos for Farquaads inspired costume which drew laughs every time he was on stage. (Santos also deserves applause for the many colorful and creative outfits on the rest of the cast.) And kudos as well to Swanson for those unexpected high kicks.The talented ensemble cast which features a whole coterie of fairy tale characters were delightful in the energetic anthem to nonconformity, "Freak Flag," lead by the soaring vocals of Samantha Zosky as Gingy and Krystal Pierce as Humpty Dumpty.The show culminates with a joyous dance party to "Im a Believer" with cast members dancing in the aisles.Brett Oliverias set is bold and colorful as befitting the fairy tale setting from the swamp to the tower I the dragons lair. Ali Santos choreography is playful and engaging, particularly the tap dancing mice in "Morning Person."Performances are 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24 and 25; and 2 p.m. Sept. 26 at Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton St, Allentown.Seating is socially distanced and mask-wearing in encouraged.Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $15 for students. For information, go to www.munopco.org, or call 610-437-2441.