AUBURN —  “Shrek The Musical” is a big, bold and absolutely enchanting triumph on the Community Little Theatre stage.

It’s the story of a friendly green ogre’s quest to save his swamp and his princess. Lots of talent and commitment from a large team, both on-stage and behind-the scenes, make this show a success.
Four actors in the leading roles bring able and memorable performances to this show’s audiences.
Gerry Therrien, a veteran of more than 30 years in CLT productions, is perfect in both physical stature and personality for the role of Shrek.
Ashley Gallagher Hodgkin portrays Fiona, the princess who Shrek can’t help believing is beyond his reach. Her lovely voice does full justice to “This Is How a Dream Comes True,” a duet she performs with a huge dragon. Hodgkin is a music teacher at Geiger Elementary School in Lewiston.
Sight gags abound in “Shrek The Musical,” and Dan Kane’s performance as three-foot-tall Lord Farquaad must be seen to be believed. Of course, it draws an abundance of short jokes. Kane has appeared in numerous CLT shows including “Spamalot,” “Into the Woods,” “Oliver!” and “The Addams Family.”
Shrek’s pal, Donkey, is played to perfection by Chad Jacobson. He is nonstop exuberance as the ogre’s wise-cracking side-kick. Jacobson is appearing in his first CLT production. He has performed with Midcoast Youth Theater and Chocolate Church Arts Center, Bath.
Christopher Hodgkin and John Blanchette are co-directors of “Shrek The Musical,” and they lead an extremely large group of actors and crew members.
They bring us 20-plus fairytale characters whose lives have been disrupted by Lord Farquaad. All of these story-book characters are well-represented by actors of all ages. Among them are Mason Lagasse as Pinocchio; Michael Litchfield as Peter Pan; and Mackenzie Richard as Gingy/Raggedy Ann.
Ensemble dances are good, and five puppeteers manipulate the large dragon.
The show’s sets are impressive. There’s a tower where Fiona has beeen imprisoned, There’s Lord Farquaad’s castle in Duloc, there’s Shrek’s swamp, a forest, a dragon’s keep and a bridge across a lake of molten lava.
Among the musical numbers are “It’s a Big, Bright, Beautiful World” which opens the show in a rousing ensemble rendition. “I Know It’s Today” by a trio of Fionas (young, teen and adult) is very well done by Madeleine Vaillancourt, Hayden Thomas and Ashley Gallagher Hodgkin.
“Morning Person” and “Got You Beat” offers lots of laughs in this Fiona-and-Shrek duet.
Just about everyone gets on stage for the “Freak Flag” anthem by the fairytale characters.
Musical director is Steven Barter, who leads a 10-piece orchestra. The impressive costumes were done under the director of Pat Spilecki.
It was very nearly a full house for Friday’s opening night performance.
Big crowds can be expected for all shows, and there will be plenty of youngsters in the audiences.
Remaining performances of “Shrek The Musical” are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 17-19, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20. The shows are at the Great Falls Performing Arts Center, 30 Academy St., Auburn.
For tickets and information, call the box office at 783-0958 or go online to www.laclt.com.