THE MAKING OF SHREK THE MUSICAL

Opening like a storybook, our musical adventure begins with a large ogre named Shrek narrating the story of his seventh birthday. As he narrates, the storybook comes to life and we see Shrek's parents telling the seven-year old version of himself that it is time for him to venture out into the world on his own. As he does, his parents' warning that everyone will hate him because of his hideous looks proves to be true, and he is forced to live alone, embittered, and angry in a swamp. Before our eyes Shrek grows up, the adult ogre now stepping into the story he was previously narrating ("Big Bright Beautiful World"). His lonely solitude is interrupted one day, however, when all of the Fairytale Creatures of the land show up to his swamp, banished there by Lord Farquaad ("Story of My Life"). Not at all pleased to have his home invaded, and encouraged by the Fairytale Creatures, Shrek decides to travel to see Lord Farquaad in order to regain the privacy of his swamp ("The Goodbye Song"). Along the way, he rescues a talkative Donkey from Farquaad's guards, and after much begging on the Donkey's part ("Don't Let Me Go"), Shrek reluctantly allows him to tag along.