Shrek comes to life in homecoming musical

Shrek the ogre and his companion Donkey are heading to campus with the rest of the banished fairytale characters in this year’s homecoming musical.

Based on the Dreamworks movie, “Shrek” was adapted into a musical by Jeanine Tesori with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire.

Earlier this year, a committee comprised of music professors and off-campus directors chose “Shrek the Musical.”

“Different themes were put out before us to do, and we decided on it as a committee,” Peggy Hoshall, director of the musical, said. “We chose this one as an overall one that we thought everyone would enjoy.”

Oklahoma Christian University senior Sean Steele plays the character Shrek, and he said this musical has a meaning that goes beyond what most people may realize.

“The story of Shrek has a deeper meaning than him just being kind of crude or kind of funny,” Steele said. “It’s about acceptance, it’s about finding yourself – self-acceptance. The musical really gets to express those meanings that are a little bit deeper than people give Shrek credit for.”

Steele said the musical is unique because it teaches the audience about Shrek’s past more than movies reveal.

“You get to see more of where Shrek came from, more of his backstory, sort of creating why he is the way he is,” Steele said.

Dating back before the backstory of Shrek and before the homecoming musical became the standard Oklahoma Christian tradition, Oklahoma Christian music professors wrote and produced an annual production with the involvement of students in a program known as “Songs America Sings.”

“They had been doing this at OC for many years,” Phil Reagan, associate professor of communications and theater said. “They would write all the music themselves, they would compose it, they would write all the lyrics — they wrote the whole show.”

Oklahoma Christian music professors decided in 1977 to begin alternating a musical every other year in place of the longstanding “Songs America Sings” program.

Then in 1979 the “Songs America Sings” tradition came to a close and musicals occurred every year after during homecoming.

“They wanted to have something other than the basketball game that would help have a big homecoming,” Reagan said. “People come back, get to see the game, get to see their friends, so they wanted something that would be a neat tradition for people.”

In 1981, Reagan took over the leadership of the musical, but in 1996 he began asking guest directors to come lead the production.

This is the second year Hoshall has directed the musical, and she said this production is something to look forward to because of the cast’s dedication.

“We have a cast that is so talented,” Hoshall said. “They are an absolute treasure to work with. They are so successful implementing their characters, and they listen extremely well.”

Reagan said the musical gives students an opportunity to reveal their talents.

“It really allows students on campus who have a musical ability to shine, really show their talent and participate in a professional show,” Reagan said.

This is the first time Oklahoma Christian senior Emily Dick will make an appearance in a the musical, and she said one of the beneficial aspects of the musical is it introduces new people to one another.

“My favorite part of the musical is getting to know people,” Dick said. “There are a lot of freshmen in the musical, which is really cool because that’s not always the case.”

Steele said the musical is as fun for the cast as it is for the audience.

“There’s just something about musicals,” Steele said. “It’s a different medium that not a lot of people get to experience, and it’s a really fun way to tell a story. You learn a lot about yourself.”

Both Dick and Steele said they are looking forward to demonstrating their hard work in front of a live audience.

“What we live for the whole time is being able to give this gift that is the performance,” Dick said. “I think it’s going to make people laugh really hard with joy.”

Hoshall said students should attend the musical for a variety of reasons.

“The musical is just a fun couple of hours to spend,” Hoshall said. “It’s a delight to watch, and students should come support their fellow students. These kids have worked excruciatingly hard.”

After weeks of four-hour practices every night, “Shrek” will come to life in Hardeman Auditorium beginning Thursday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.

Performances are also on Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.

For more information on “Shrek the Musical” and to buy tickets online click here. Individuals may also purchase tickets from the Box Office located outside the auditorium.