PLAY REVIEW

VALDOSTA — Peach State Summer Theatre brings Shrek to life.

Given the success of the “Shrek” movies, a live, stage version must meet certain expectations. People expect Shrek to be green, sympathetic and witty; they expect Donkey to be hyper and funny; they expect Fiona to turn the princess stereotype on its head.

But audiences also want something a little different. Instead of the pop songs from the movie soundtrack, the live “Shrek” is a musical, meaning all of the characters sing songs and dance.

The PSST! “Shrek the Musical” walks the fine line between familiar expectation and desire for something different.

Alexander Mendoza, Imari Thompson and Megan Wheeler capture the essence of their animated counterparts as Shrek, Donkey and Fiona respectively.

Mendoza remains expressive under the prosthetics and green paint of Shrek. He maintains the ogre’s accented brogue. Mendoza has a powerful singing voice. For audiences, he becomes a real-life Shrek, lovably grouchy, funny and heroic.

Thompson plays Donkey with a comic flair of hee-haw, combining singing, jokes and antics at a frenetic pace.

Wheeler is fun as Fiona. A great voice, perfect timing, the tomboy sense of humor, etc.

She and Mendoza have a natural chemistry as princess and ogre that makes watching them together infectious.

Alec James as Lord Farquaad is neither short on talent nor tough knees. He plays the diminutive lord who wants to marry Fiona while walking on his knees; tiny legs are sewn to the gown of his robes. He is masterful in mining easy humor from what must be an arduous position throughout the show.

A stand-out scene and a knock-out performance comes during the dragon’s entrance in Fiona’s tower. Several cast members manipulate a large dragon puppet above the floorboards of Sawyer Theatre. Meanwhile, Amanda Lopez walks below the dragon head, providing the voice. And what a voice. Lopez belts out the dragon song of “Forever” with passion and verve.

The entire cast is a joy from the fairy tale creatures to the people of Duloc. A joy.

As is the entire production.

Ruth A. Brandvik’s scenic design, matched with Jason Lee Courson’s projections and Genny Wynn-Muncy’s lighting bring a three-dimensional animated tone to the play.

Esther Iverson’s costumes capture the spirit of the characters while surrendering to the audiences’ expectations.

David Springfield’s musical direction never misses a beat with the live orchestra. The orchestra is amazing. Audiences should not mistake the music for a recording. The musicians are behind a screen back stage.

David Rossetti’s choreography is literally and figuratively moving. He incorporates dances in to the spine of the show with a subtle approach.

Jacque Wheeler directs “Shrek,” with her regimen of discipline and leniency. She allows performers to try things and to have fun, all within the context of characterization and never slowing the pace.

Jacque Wheeler, who is Megan Wheeler’s mother, never forgets the show was originally an animated film but she also never allows the jokes, music, dance numbers to undercut the discipline of the performance.

Shrek the ogre may be gassy but “Shrek The Musical” is wrapped in the sweet smell of success.

Peach State Summer Theatre’s “Shrek the Musical” continues 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 9, 10; 3 p.m. Sunday, June 11, then on various dates through mid-July, Sawyer Theatre, Valdosta State University Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood. PSST!’s “Forever Plaid” opens June 16; “My Fair Lady” opens June 23. Tickets, more information: Visit www.valdosta.edu/psst, or call (229) 259-7770.

The PSST! “Shrek”