{"data":{"id":"51269e9e-c55a-4fed-85af-5008c3b56e79","originKind":"SYNDICATED","title":"Alberta Youth Theatre Collective reviews Morinville's production of Shrek the Musical","summary":"The Edmonton Journal is proud to host reviews of local high school theatrical productions, written by student reviewers through the Alberta Youth Theatre Collective. Reviews of past shows can be found here\n\nSwamps, sparkles, and standout performances\n\nMaxime Morin, Strathcona High School\n\nMorinville Community High School’s production of Shrek the Musical was nothing short of magical. From the second the lights came up, the cast and crew completely pulled the audience into their world. It felt less like watching a high school production and more like stepping directly into the chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt fairy tale swamp of Duloc. I found myself smiling the entire time, laughing out loud with the audience, and audibly reacting to scenes as the story unfolded. There was such a genuine sense of joy radiating from the stage that it became impossible not to get swept up in it.\n\nWhat stood out most was the level of characterization throughout the entire cast. Every performer committed fully to their role, creating a world packed with personality and charm. Drew Kolotyluk as Shrek and Aidin Farough as Lord Farquaad were especially unforgettable. Kolotyluk brought incredible emotional sincerity to Shrek while maintaining the iconic accent and comedic timing audiences know and love. At the same time, Farough absolutely stole scenes with a hilariously over-the-top yet surprisingly nuanced Farquaad. Both performers balanced strong vocals with genuinely engaging acting, making even the funniest moments feel grounded and real.\n\nAnother major highlight was the portrayal of Fiona throughout the show. Braelyn Allain, Lauren Andrews, and Abrielle Hughes each brought something unique and memorable to the role, creating three versions of Fiona that still felt completely connected. Their performances captured Fiona’s growth beautifully while giving each stage of her life its own personality. Andrews especially made dynamic and unexpected choices with the character that I had never seen before in a portrayal of Fiona, and it made her performance feel fresh, layered, and incredibly exciting to watch.\n\nThe production design was equally impressive. For a cast and crew of around 43 people to create over 80 costumes entirely by themselves is genuinely unbelievable. Every piece felt detailed, creative, and full of life. Whether it was Dragon’s sparkling gown, the Mad Hatter’s giant hat and pigtails, or the countless fairy tale creature designs scattered across the stage, the costumes completely transported the audience into the fantasy world. The amount of craftsmanship and effort behind the scenes was impossible to ignore.\n\nWhat makes this production so memorable is the heart behind it. Every moment felt fueled by passion, creativity, and a clear love for theatre. Morinville Community High School didn’t just put on a musical, they created an experience that stuck with the audience long after the curtain call. This is absolutely a show that will stay with me, and I genuinely cannot wait to see what Morinville continues to do next.\n\nReframing the ‘other’\n\nHunter Lafleur, M.E LaZerte High School\n\nFairy tales fracture and reform under guidance from misfits. Morinville Community High School’s Shrek the Musical, written by David Lindsay-Albaire and beautifully directed by Vanessa King morphs the stage into a vibrant world where outsiders and insiders collide, blurring the boundary between exclusion and belonging.\n\nOne striking element of Shrek the Musical was its intentional use of choreography to visually communicate social belonging and exclusion. Under the choreographic direction of Elizabeth Nelson, Lauren Andrews, and Chase Senko, movement emphasised the divide between the rigid human world and the expressive fantasy world. Early ensemble numbers focused on synchronized, mechanical formations for the citizens of Duloc, creating an atmosphere of forced uniformity. In contrast, the fairy tale creatures occupied fragmented and asymmetrical stage formations, often positioned to the edge of the stage and moving with freer physicality. In the musical number “Freak Flag” these physical distinctions gradually softened, with characters frequently sharing formations and movement styles. By visually incorporating the isolated into collective movement, the choreographers guided the audience through the show’s broader message that social unity is not achieved by conformity, but through the embracing of individuality.\n\nA strong performance element found within Shrek the Musical was the collaborative portrayal of Fiona by Lauren Andrews (Princess Fiona), Abrielle Hughes (Teen Fiona) and Braelyn Allain (Young Fiona). Despite portraying Fiona at different stages of development, the three maintained strong character continuity through consistent characterized movement, vocal delivery, and gestural repetition. Allain captured youthful optimism via energetic movement and expressive physicality, while Hughes gradually introduced signs of frustration and emotional confinement through more restrained posture and angsty vocal tone. Andrews then carried these traits into her portrayal of Princess Fiona, balancing comedic pacing with emotional vulnerability to showcase the lasting effects of isolation, as a result, In the musical number “I Know It’s Today”, transitions between characters were seamless. Through mirrored mannerisms and nuanced embodiment the three performers allowed the audience to follow Fiona’s emotional journey with cohesion and minimal narrative disruption.\n\nThe technical design and execution of Shrek the Musical demonstrated strong coordination among all production departments. Despite confined wings, stage management, led by Dianne Bueta maintained smooth pacing and efficiency through scene transitions, with particular emphasis on the puppeteering and handling of the dragon puppet that required strength, precise timing and spatial awareness. Costume, hair and makeup design worked together to enhance the visual world of Shrek, using dramatic silhouettes, textures and color palettes to separate fantasy ensembles from Duloc’s uniformity. Reinforcing ideas of social hierarchy and belonging.\n\nTaken together, Shrek the Musical uses performers and production elements to emphasize the message of belonging through the acceptance of individuality. The cast and crew deliver a production that is both visually engaging and emotionally resonant, using spatial variation, choreography and design to bring its world to life. Ultimately, Morinville leaves its audience with a simple yet powerful conclusion; true belonging comes not from conformity, but from being accepted for who you are.\n\nA swamp full of heart\n\nSydney Koke, Holy Trinity Catholic High School\n\nAt first glance, Shrek the Musical seems like a chaotic fairy tale packed with ogres, dragons and the occasional talking donkey of course. But beneath the layers of comedy and glittering green face paint, Morinville Community High School’s production revealed something much deeper: a heartfelt story about identity, belonging, and learning to embrace the parts of ourselves society tells us to hide.\n\nOnce upon a mission to rid a swamp of company, the cast brought infectious energy to the stage, immediately pulling the audience into the whimsical world of Duloc.The vibrant costumes, expressive choreography, and comedic timing created an atmosphere that felt both playful and sincere. However, what truly made this production memorable was its emotional core. While the show is filled with humour, it never loses sight of the loneliness and rejection experienced by many of its characters.\n\nOne of the strongest themes throughout the production was bonding through shared adversity. Although for very different reasons, both Fiona and Shrek were sent away by their parents at the age of seven, forced into isolation. Their connection grows not because they are perfect for each other in a traditional fairy tale sense, but because they understand each other’s pain. Morinville Community High School’s performers portrayed this emotional vulnerability authentically, allowing the audience to see beyond the comedy and recognize the deeper humanity within these characters. Their relationship becomes a reminder that meaningful connections are often formed through empathy and shared struggles.\n\nAdditionally the fairy tale creatures played an important role in reinforcing the musical’s message about identity and self-acceptance. Characters who had been rejected, exiled, or labelled as “misfits” came together to challenge the idea that they needed to change in order to belong. This message reached its peak during the powerful ensemble number “Freak Flag,” where the cast celebrated individuality with unapologetic confidence. The lyric “let your freak flag fly” became more than just a catchy line; it transformed into the emotional thesis of the entire production. In that moment, the stage became a space where differences were no longer hidden or mocked, but embraced.\n\nWhat truly elevated the production was its ability to show that Shrek is not just a parody of fairy tales; it is a story about redefining what acceptance looks like. The students captured both the humour and emotional sincerity necessary to make that message resonate. Whether through heartfelt solos, energetic ensemble moments, or comedic interactions, the cast consistently demonstrated dedication and passion.\n\nMorinville Community High School’s Shrek the Musical proved that even the most unconventional stories can carry meaningful truths. By combining humour with themes of identity, resilience, and belonging, the production reminded audiences that everyone deserves the freedom to be exactly who they are; loudly, proudly, and without apology.\n\nFairy tale chaos done right\n\nNavdeep Kaur, McNally High School\n\nMorinville Community High School’s production of Shrek the Musical had one major challenge from the start: how do you turn such an animated, cartoonish movie into a live stage production without losing its personality? Somehow, this cast and crew managed to make the world of Shrek feel just as lively, chaotic, and heartfelt onstage as it does onscreen. The musical follows an ogre who simply wants his quiet swamp back, only to be pulled into an adventure full of fairy tale creatures, unlikely friendships, and life lessons. The production worked because the cast was fully committed to their characters. The accents throughout the show were incredibly strong, especially from Shrek (Drew Kolotyluk), and hearing difficult musical numbers performed flawlessly while maintaining a Scottish accent was genuinely impressive.\n\nThe comedy across the production landed consistently well. Fiona’s (Lauren Andrews) comedic timing brought so much energy and charm to the stage, balancing the character’s eccentric personality with confidence and warmth. Lord Farquaad (Aidin Farough) was another standout comedic presence, with exaggerated mannerisms and sharp delivery that perfectly captured the ridiculousness of the character without overdoing it. Donkey (Benji Allain), however, became one of the most memorable parts of the night. The amount of physicality poured into the role was incredible, every reaction, movement, and interaction felt animated in the best possible way. The nonstop energy, comedic timing, and expressive acting made the performance impossible not to watch whenever he was onstage.\n\nThe ensemble truly carried the world of the show, with many of the fairy tale characters took on multiple roles throughout the production, yet every character still felt distinct and memorable. The ensemble’s energy never dropped, whether they were singing, dancing, or creating the chaos that made the fairy tale world feel alive, with the choreography standing out especially in the larger ensemble numbers where the stage constantly felt in motion.\n\nA huge amount of credit also belongs to Zoe Kustra and the Art Club for the creativity behind the production’s visuals and technical elements. The set pieces were imaginative, detailed, and utilized incredibly well throughout the show, helping transform the stage into a believable fairy tale world. The costumes also added so much personality to each character, especially the fairy tale creatures, making every role instantly recognizable and visually entertaining. Even smaller prop details showed impressive creativity, with Pinocchio’s nose standing out as one of the funniest and smartest visual touches of the night.\n\nAt its core, Shrek the Musical is about embracing individuality and realizing everyone belongs in their own unique way. Morinville Community High School captured that message while still delivering the humour, fun, and larger-than-life energy audiences expect from the story, creating a production that felt both heartfelt and genuinely entertaining from beginning to end.\n\nOnce upon a swamp\n\nTinbit Hailu, St. Joseph Catholic High School\n\nOnce upon a time, a stage transforms into a swamp, and from there, an entire fairy tale world unfolds. MCHS’s production of Shrek the Musical brings that world to life through energetic performances, creative staging, and a strong sense of ensemble collaboration that keeps the story constantly in motion.\n\nOne of the most immediately noticeable strengths of the production was its set design and transitions. Scene changes were smooth and well-executed, with moving set pieces helping shift the environment seamlessly from one location to another. This constant motion helped create the illusion of a much larger world beyond the limits of the stage, keeping the storytelling dynamic and fluid.\n\nA standout creative choice early in the show was the use of a large storybook that opened the production. As it opened, characters emerged as though they were stepping directly out of its pages, instantly establishing a fairytale tone and drawing the audience into the world of the story.\n\nWhile the technical elements were impressive, the strength of the production truly came from its cast. Drew Kolotyluk, as Shrek, delivered a performance that captured the character’s familiar voice and personality with impressive accuracy, grounding the show with a strong central presence. Aiden Farough, as Lord Farquaad, stood out through strong physical comedy, vocal control, and costuming choices that emphasized the character’s exaggerated stature and humor. Benji Allain, as Donkey, brought consistent energy and comedic timing to the stage. As one of the most dynamic characters in the show, his performance helped maintain momentum and kept many scenes lively and engaging.\n\nThe ensemble also played a crucial role in bringing the world of the story to life. With multiple performers shifting between roles as fairytale creatures and background characters, the cast demonstrated strong adaptability and commitment. Despite the quick transitions, each character felt distinct and fully realized, helping create a vibrant and populated stage world.\n\nOverall, MCHS’s Shrek the Musical delivered a well-rounded and energetic production. With strong principal performances, a committed ensemble, and thoughtfully executed staging, the show successfully transformed a familiar story into an engaging live theatrical experience.","url":"https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/local-arts/alberta-youth-theatre-collective-reviews-morinvilles-production-of-shrek-the-musical","imageUrl":"https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/edmontonjournal/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/p_c_-skylar-boissonnault3.jpg_303621635-e1781034156553.jpg","publishedAt":"2026-06-09T19:49:38.000Z","sourceLabel":"Edmonton Journal Music","tags":["Local Arts"],"authorName":"Edmonton Journal","contentHtml":"\"Students

The Edmonton Journal is proud to host reviews of local high school theatrical productions, written by student reviewers through the Alberta Youth Theatre Collective. Reviews of past shows can be found here

Swamps, sparkles, and standout performances

Maxime Morin, Strathcona High School

Morinville Community High School’s production of Shrek the Musical was nothing short of magical. From the second the lights came up, the cast and crew completely pulled the audience into their world. It felt less like watching a high school production and more like stepping directly into the chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt fairy tale swamp of Duloc. I found myself smiling the entire time, laughing out loud with the audience, and audibly reacting to scenes as the story unfolded. There was such a genuine sense of joy radiating from the stage that it became impossible not to get swept up in it.

What stood out most was the level of characterization throughout the entire cast. Every performer committed fully to their role, creating a world packed with personality and charm. Drew Kolotyluk as Shrek and Aidin Farough as Lord Farquaad were especially unforgettable. Kolotyluk brought incredible emotional sincerity to Shrek while maintaining the iconic accent and comedic timing audiences know and love. At the same time, Farough absolutely stole scenes with a hilariously over-the-top yet surprisingly nuanced Farquaad. Both performers balanced strong vocals with genuinely engaging acting, making even the funniest moments feel grounded and real.

Another major highlight was the portrayal of Fiona throughout the show. Braelyn Allain, Lauren Andrews, and Abrielle Hughes each brought something unique and memorable to the role, creating three versions of Fiona that still felt completely connected. Their performances captured Fiona’s growth beautifully while giving each stage of her life its own personality. Andrews especially made dynamic and unexpected choices with the character that I had never seen before in a portrayal of Fiona, and it made her performance feel fresh, layered, and incredibly exciting to watch.

The production design was equally impressive. For a cast and crew of around 43 people to create over 80 costumes entirely by themselves is genuinely unbelievable. Every piece felt detailed, creative, and full of life. Whether it was Dragon’s sparkling gown, the Mad Hatter’s giant hat and pigtails, or the countless fairy tale creature designs scattered across the stage, the costumes completely transported the audience into the fantasy world. The amount of craftsmanship and effort behind the scenes was impossible to ignore.

What makes this production so memorable is the heart behind it. Every moment felt fueled by passion, creativity, and a clear love for theatre. Morinville Community High School didn’t just put on a musical, they created an experience that stuck with the audience long after the curtain call. This is absolutely a show that will stay with me, and I genuinely cannot wait to see what Morinville continues to do next.

\"

Reframing the ‘other’

Hunter Lafleur, M.E LaZerte High School

Fairy tales fracture and reform under guidance from misfits. Morinville Community High School’s Shrek the Musical, written by David Lindsay-Albaire and beautifully directed by Vanessa King morphs the stage into a vibrant world where outsiders and insiders collide, blurring the boundary between exclusion and belonging.

One striking element of Shrek the Musical was its intentional use of choreography to visually communicate social belonging and exclusion. Under the choreographic direction of Elizabeth Nelson, Lauren Andrews, and Chase Senko, movement emphasised the divide between the rigid human world and the expressive fantasy world. Early ensemble numbers focused on synchronized, mechanical formations for the citizens of Duloc, creating an atmosphere of forced uniformity. In contrast, the fairy tale creatures occupied fragmented and asymmetrical stage formations, often positioned to the edge of the stage and moving with freer physicality. In the musical number “Freak Flag” these physical distinctions gradually softened, with characters frequently sharing formations and movement styles. By visually incorporating the isolated into collective movement, the choreographers guided the audience through the show’s broader message that social unity is not achieved by conformity, but through the embracing of individuality.

A strong performance element found within Shrek the Musical was the collaborative portrayal of Fiona by Lauren Andrews (Princess Fiona), Abrielle Hughes (Teen Fiona) and Braelyn Allain (Young Fiona). Despite portraying Fiona at different stages of development, the three maintained strong character continuity through consistent characterized movement, vocal delivery, and gestural repetition. Allain captured youthful optimism via energetic movement and expressive physicality, while Hughes gradually introduced signs of frustration and emotional confinement through more restrained posture and angsty vocal tone. Andrews then carried these traits into her portrayal of Princess Fiona, balancing comedic pacing with emotional vulnerability to showcase the lasting effects of isolation, as a result, In the musical number “I Know It’s Today”, transitions between characters were seamless. Through mirrored mannerisms and nuanced embodiment the three performers allowed the audience to follow Fiona’s emotional journey with cohesion and minimal narrative disruption.

The technical design and execution of Shrek the Musical demonstrated strong coordination among all production departments. Despite confined wings, stage management, led by Dianne Bueta maintained smooth pacing and efficiency through scene transitions, with particular emphasis on the puppeteering and handling of the dragon puppet that required strength, precise timing and spatial awareness. Costume, hair and makeup design worked together to enhance the visual world of Shrek, using dramatic silhouettes, textures and color palettes to separate fantasy ensembles from Duloc’s uniformity. Reinforcing ideas of social hierarchy and belonging.

Taken together, Shrek the Musical uses performers and production elements to emphasize the message of belonging through the acceptance of individuality. The cast and crew deliver a production that is both visually engaging and emotionally resonant, using spatial variation, choreography and design to bring its world to life. Ultimately, Morinville leaves its audience with a simple yet powerful conclusion; true belonging comes not from conformity, but from being accepted for who you are.

\"

A swamp full of heart

Sydney Koke, Holy Trinity Catholic High School

At first glance, Shrek the Musical seems like a chaotic fairy tale packed with ogres, dragons and the occasional talking donkey of course. But beneath the layers of comedy and glittering green face paint, Morinville Community High School’s production revealed something much deeper: a heartfelt story about identity, belonging, and learning to embrace the parts of ourselves society tells us to hide.

Once upon a mission to rid a swamp of company, the cast brought infectious energy to the stage, immediately pulling the audience into the whimsical world of Duloc.The vibrant costumes, expressive choreography, and comedic timing created an atmosphere that felt both playful and sincere. However, what truly made this production memorable was its emotional core. While the show is filled with humour, it never loses sight of the loneliness and rejection experienced by many of its characters.

One of the strongest themes throughout the production was bonding through shared adversity. Although for very different reasons, both Fiona and Shrek were sent away by their parents at the age of seven, forced into isolation. Their connection grows not because they are perfect for each other in a traditional fairy tale sense, but because they understand each other’s pain. Morinville Community High School’s performers portrayed this emotional vulnerability authentically, allowing the audience to see beyond the comedy and recognize the deeper humanity within these characters. Their relationship becomes a reminder that meaningful connections are often formed through empathy and shared struggles.

Additionally the fairy tale creatures played an important role in reinforcing the musical’s message about identity and self-acceptance. Characters who had been rejected, exiled, or labelled as “misfits” came together to challenge the idea that they needed to change in order to belong. This message reached its peak during the powerful ensemble number “Freak Flag,” where the cast celebrated individuality with unapologetic confidence. The lyric “let your freak flag fly” became more than just a catchy line; it transformed into the emotional thesis of the entire production. In that moment, the stage became a space where differences were no longer hidden or mocked, but embraced.

What truly elevated the production was its ability to show that Shrek is not just a parody of fairy tales; it is a story about redefining what acceptance looks like. The students captured both the humour and emotional sincerity necessary to make that message resonate. Whether through heartfelt solos, energetic ensemble moments, or comedic interactions, the cast consistently demonstrated dedication and passion.

Morinville Community High School’s Shrek the Musical proved that even the most unconventional stories can carry meaningful truths. By combining humour with themes of identity, resilience, and belonging, the production reminded audiences that everyone deserves the freedom to be exactly who they are; loudly, proudly, and without apology.

\"

Fairy tale chaos done right

Navdeep Kaur, McNally High School

Morinville Community High School’s production of Shrek the Musical had one major challenge from the start: how do you turn such an animated, cartoonish movie into a live stage production without losing its personality? Somehow, this cast and crew managed to make the world of Shrek feel just as lively, chaotic, and heartfelt onstage as it does onscreen. The musical follows an ogre who simply wants his quiet swamp back, only to be pulled into an adventure full of fairy tale creatures, unlikely friendships, and life lessons. The production worked because the cast was fully committed to their characters. The accents throughout the show were incredibly strong, especially from Shrek (Drew Kolotyluk), and hearing difficult musical numbers performed flawlessly while maintaining a Scottish accent was genuinely impressive.

The comedy across the production landed consistently well. Fiona’s (Lauren Andrews) comedic timing brought so much energy and charm to the stage, balancing the character’s eccentric personality with confidence and warmth. Lord Farquaad (Aidin Farough) was another standout comedic presence, with exaggerated mannerisms and sharp delivery that perfectly captured the ridiculousness of the character without overdoing it. Donkey (Benji Allain), however, became one of the most memorable parts of the night. The amount of physicality poured into the role was incredible, every reaction, movement, and interaction felt animated in the best possible way. The nonstop energy, comedic timing, and expressive acting made the performance impossible not to watch whenever he was onstage.

The ensemble truly carried the world of the show, with many of the fairy tale characters took on multiple roles throughout the production, yet every character still felt distinct and memorable. The ensemble’s energy never dropped, whether they were singing, dancing, or creating the chaos that made the fairy tale world feel alive, with the choreography standing out especially in the larger ensemble numbers where the stage constantly felt in motion.

A huge amount of credit also belongs to Zoe Kustra and the Art Club for the creativity behind the production’s visuals and technical elements. The set pieces were imaginative, detailed, and utilized incredibly well throughout the show, helping transform the stage into a believable fairy tale world. The costumes also added so much personality to each character, especially the fairy tale creatures, making every role instantly recognizable and visually entertaining. Even smaller prop details showed impressive creativity, with Pinocchio’s nose standing out as one of the funniest and smartest visual touches of the night.

At its core, Shrek the Musical is about embracing individuality and realizing everyone belongs in their own unique way. Morinville Community High School captured that message while still delivering the humour, fun, and larger-than-life energy audiences expect from the story, creating a production that felt both heartfelt and genuinely entertaining from beginning to end.

\"

Once upon a swamp

Tinbit Hailu, St. Joseph Catholic High School

Once upon a time, a stage transforms into a swamp, and from there, an entire fairy tale world unfolds. MCHS’s production of Shrek the Musical brings that world to life through energetic performances, creative staging, and a strong sense of ensemble collaboration that keeps the story constantly in motion.

One of the most immediately noticeable strengths of the production was its set design and transitions. Scene changes were smooth and well-executed, with moving set pieces helping shift the environment seamlessly from one location to another. This constant motion helped create the illusion of a much larger world beyond the limits of the stage, keeping the storytelling dynamic and fluid.

A standout creative choice early in the show was the use of a large storybook that opened the production. As it opened, characters emerged as though they were stepping directly out of its pages, instantly establishing a fairytale tone and drawing the audience into the world of the story.

While the technical elements were impressive, the strength of the production truly came from its cast. Drew Kolotyluk, as Shrek, delivered a performance that captured the character’s familiar voice and personality with impressive accuracy, grounding the show with a strong central presence. Aiden Farough, as Lord Farquaad, stood out through strong physical comedy, vocal control, and costuming choices that emphasized the character’s exaggerated stature and humor. Benji Allain, as Donkey, brought consistent energy and comedic timing to the stage. As one of the most dynamic characters in the show, his performance helped maintain momentum and kept many scenes lively and engaging.

The ensemble also played a crucial role in bringing the world of the story to life. With multiple performers shifting between roles as fairytale creatures and background characters, the cast demonstrated strong adaptability and commitment. Despite the quick transitions, each character felt distinct and fully realized, helping create a vibrant and populated stage world.

Overall, MCHS’s Shrek the Musical delivered a well-rounded and energetic production. With strong principal performances, a committed ensemble, and thoughtfully executed staging, the show successfully transformed a familiar story into an engaging live theatrical experience.

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