Shrek, the 2001 pop-pastiche animated movie, a cinematic hit from DreamWorks with a star-studded cast, has been adapted successfully into a highly entertaining musical. Shrek the Musical is among the top newest shows wildly popular with child-audiences as well as adults. Shrek, originally based on the book by William Steig, tells the story of a green ogre who gets into hilarious misadventures and who ends up finding his true love as a consequence.

Shrek the Musical stands out among other shows for its original, fully mobile and interactive set - some props even emerge from the floor! The magic-mirror is one of the most incredible props with its good old-fashioned appeal and an added touch of technological magic! This versatile set is worthy of the choicest accolades in the category. The same can be said for the elaborate costumes, which include prosthetics and bodysuits - prepare to be enthralled as Fiona is turned from delicate princess to Ogre in just over a minute!

With Jeanine Tesori (of Thoroughly Modern Millie) as the composer and Lindasy-Abaire as lyricist, the musical score is a blast! The slap-stick features of Shrek the Musical are neutralized and made adorable by the true-to-fairy-tale beauty of the costumes and choreography which lend that authentic sweetness of childhood's imaginary worlds. It all comes together in hit song sequences like "Morning Person" and "Big, Bright World."

Shrek the Musical emulates a medieval mood without being disharmonious with modern sensibilities. The result is a show that sparkles with wondrous, delightful moments as well as moments bursting with sheer comic entertainment. A generic story of an outcast who is forever changed after he finds a kindred spirit, Shrek tells the tale of a boy who was abandoned when his parents found out that he was an ogre. He finds peace in his secluded swamp. But his solitude is disrupted when Lord Farquaad, the villain, sends a whole population of fairy tale characters into exile near Shrek's home. This population includes a talkative, over-the-top funny and clingy Donkey. In trying to regain his swampland from Lord Farquaad, Shrek gets entangled with the rescue-mission of Princess Fiona - whose castle is surrounded by lava and protected by a fearsome dragon. A comic adventure ensues, in which Shrek and his irritating companion Donkey - who tries to persuade Shrek to let him be his companion and whose persuasion strategies include poeticizing - "You and I belong together," he persists, despite being repeatedly rejected by Shrek "like Yin and Yang/ Nin and Chang" and desperate for a rhyme with "please" he adds "like donuts and diabetes!" Donkey's song "Don't let me go!" is hysterical, and goes to show that unlikely partners as they are, Shrek and Donkey definitely belong together.

If you enjoyed Shrek the movie and all the fabulous sequels with their pop-parodies and such, you'll be amazed by how well Shrek the Musical creates the same parallels in the theatre scene. Shrek the Musical is sure to dazzle you and become a family favorite!