Once upon a time…

The Dartmouth High Theater Company opened its spring production of Shrek The Musical on Thursday, May 5 delighting the audience with farcical fairytale folly adapted from the motion picture.

The show was the troupe’s first live, open-to-the-public musical since 2019.

Shirley Byers, who co-directed the musical, said everyone involved in the production was thrilled to be back in-person for the theater company’s 10th year.

“We’re so excited to be able to feel that energy from a live audience,” she said. “The hardest thing with a virtual performance is not having that audience reaction.”

The crowd was happy to oblige the actors, applauding enthusiastically after each number and playing along as the diminutive Lord Farquad, played by Tyler Breault, signaled them repeatedly to cheer then quickly hush.

The musical follows the same plotline as the first Shrek movie, but swaps the film’s famous score for a full slate of original musical numbers. Fans of the movie’s original tracklist shouldn’t worry though, it still ends with “I’m a Believer.”

“This show is definitely a lot of fun,” said senior Gabby Reardon, who plays Donkey. “It’s silly and funny and everything you’d expect it to be.”

It also features all the same sarcastic and irreverent humor that sets the tone of the movie.

“I like sarcastic humor so that’s kinda like my zone,” said freshman Mason Langlois who plays Shrek.

The young actor said he was excited to take on the lead role even though it was “a little scary at first.”

The show will run three more times this weekend.

Performances will be held on May 6 at 7 p.m. and on May 7 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. For reservations, call (508)264-4279 or visit the theater company website at DHSTheaterCo.com