Michael C. Moore's review in the Kitsap Sun. (Photos by Alfonso Barrera)

On opening weekend, the cast of the Mountaineers Players' production of "Shrek, the Musical" at the Kitsap Forest Theater were having their makeup washed off by prodigious rainfall.

For the performance I saw, though — Aug. 2 — they had to hose down the floor/stage at intermission to beat down the dust.

Having weathered the inclement stuff at KFT in previous years, I appreciated the extremely clement conditions — and I'm sure director Nikki Fey-Burgett's cast and crew did, too.

The performance had a lot more than good weather to recommend it, though. Fey-Burgett has assembled a large and talented cast of actors and — especially — singers to bring the David Lindsay-Abaire—Jeanine Tesori song-and-dance (based on a trilogy of DreamWorks Animation film features) to the forest. From its dozens of bright costumes and imaginative (and minimal, by necessity) sets to its depth of vocal and instrumental talent, it's generally really well wrought.

And the setting. Well. It's all the same trees that were there last time you went, but you never get tired of them — especially when they're providing shade, as they were on Aug. 2, and not shelter from the harsher elements.

I have to issue a strong warning, though, to anyone considering a hike down to the remaining performances, Saturday and Sunday matinees through Aug. 16: Be prepared for distractions.

"Shrek's" best features, for adults, are its clever lyrics and snarky, funny script. For the younger set, it's the presentation of the characters — not just the Big Green Ogre himself, but the pint-sized Lord Farquaad, the comical Donkey and the platoon of fairy-tale characters that Shrek takes it upon himself to re-relocate from his bog and back to their homes in Duloc.

For many of the youngsters — including a big bunch of toddlers who haven't grown up knowing the film series because they've just barely started growing up at all — the jokes are over their wee heads, and the characters can only hold their attention for so long, especially during several extended sequences of dialogue or vocal solos or duets.

The little ones were gone by intermission — not physically, but intellectually. There's more movement in the galleries than there is on the stage.

If you're there for the "experience," that's all part of it. But if you're there just to see the show, it's liable to make you grumpier'n a ... well ... an ogre who just wants peace and quiet.

It's too bad, because — as previously stated — the show is quite good. Despite what I felt was a somewhat deliberate pace, the story of Shrek's quest to earn the deed to the bog by rescuing Farquaad's intended (the princess Fiona, the Girl with a Secret) is told efficiently, the costumes are fetching and the music is consistently at a high level (musical director Dawn Brazel has bass and drums to augment the Mountaineers' usual keyboard accompaniment, with Josh Zimmerman doubling on electric guitar to bring a convincing rock ‘n' roll feel to several of the numbers.

The leads — Jason Gingold as Shrek, Meagan Castillo (who played Mary Poppins at KFT only a few weeks ago) as Fiona, Matthew Sythandone as Donkey and Adam Othman as the vertically challenged Farquaad — all are wonderful. A personal highlight is the early-Act 2 gross-out battle between Shrek and Fiona, "I Thinks I Got You Beat," a totally charming sequence where the two gradually warm to each other, with the bonus (at least for the sophomoric, like myself) of perhaps the best fart-and-burp sound effects ever to grace the old amphitheater.

At least, I hope they were sound effects.

A few supporting players get their chance to shine, as well, and none does as much with the opportunity as Taylor Davis as Pinocchio, bringing great comedy and a ripping good voice to the fairy-tale rabble-rouser. Both of Fiona's younger incarnations — Maria Pledger and Anna Vizzare — also do strong vocal work in brief appearances during "I Know It's Today."

Mike Myers voiced the Shrek character in the movies, and the rude, referential humor that drips over into the musical owes a lot to him. Shrek and Donkey aren't a million miles from Wayne and Garth, and the off-color gags are toned down from the "Austin Powers" franchise.

That'll all well and good ... unless you're a 3-year-old, who doesn't get much of any of it. At some point, you become more concerned with whether there's any popcorn left.

If you can follow it through, though — including the distractions — you'll like and appreciate the Mountaineers' "Shrek." Owing to all that musical talent, it might be even more fun to listen to than it is to watch.

Kitsap Sun Preview by Michael C. Moore (July 2015)

SEABECK — The bi-polar summer of Meagan Castillo continues.

The Bothell actress, who's been a frequent visitor to the Kitsap Forest Theater in recent seasons, is doing herself one better this summer, playing the female leads in not one, but both of the Mountaineers Players' productions there. She was the title character in Mary Poppins a couple of months ago, and returns to play Fiona in Shrek, the Musical, which opens on July 25 and runs for four weekends.

"I was only going to do one (show)," said Castillo, who's active in a number of companies on the other side of the Sound, mixing a busy slate of shows with being a wife and mother of three boys. "I was really interested in Shrek, I thought it would be a lot of fun. But when they announced they were going to do Mary Poppins, I couldn't exactly pass up a chance to audition for that, too.

"When they offered me Poppins, I thought I wouldn't get Shrek, too," she added. "I guess I was wrong."

Nikki Fey-Burgett, who's directing Shrek for the Seattle-based Mountaineers Players, made sure Castillo was mistaken.

"She just worked for me (as Fiona)," said Fey-Burgett, who's making her directorial debut at KFT (she filled in as piano accompanist for part of the Mary Poppins run), but has extensive credits back on the Eastern Seaboard. "I asked Gala (Lindvall, the producer of both shows), and she told me she didn't think it would be a problem."

Neither did Castillo, whose family has enthusiastically greenlighted her frequent stage projects. Two of her boys also have acted in KFT productions, and the third joins her husband, Bryan, in assorted offstage chores.

She said the transition from the "practically perfect" Poppins to the ogre Princess Fiona has been a challenging and fun experience.

"I feel a little bi-polar, actually," she said of moving from the famously cranky heroine of Mary Poppins to the sweet-natured, emerald-hued Fiona. "Mary Poppins isn't as bad in the play as she is in the books, so that made it a little easier."

Shrek — if you've been secluded in a bog for the last few years — is the impossibly successful stage adaptation of DreamWorks Animation's movie franchise, which began in 2001. It follows Shrek's quest to rescue Fiona and deliver her to prospective husband Lord Farquuad — not for love, but for the promise that squatters in his beloved bog will be turned out, restoring his solitude.

"It's a perfect story to tell here," Fey-Burgett said, gesturing around at the rustic amphitheater surrounded by ancient trees and post-blooming rhododendrons. The first time I came in for Mary Poppins, I started visualizing."

The first show Fey-Burgett — who was involved in theater back east for more than four decades before her recent westward migration — attended at KFT was last year's Honk!, which was directed by Adam Othman — who'll play Farquuad for her in Shrek.

"It's a special place, and a special company," she said. "It reminds me of a company in Virginia that I did a lot of work with. As soon as I discovered it, I knew I wanted to be involved."

Her musical director, Dawn Brazell, and keyboardist Josh Zimmerman both are KFT familiars, as is set co-designer Stewart Shusterman (with wife, Julie), who did the set for last year's Annie. Choreographer Molly Hall and costumer Misha Perritt are both in those capacities for KFT for the first time.

Fey-Burgett said she found all four of her leads — Castillo, Othman, Jason Gingold (Shrek) and Matthew Sythandone (Donkey) during the first round of general auditions (the Mountaineers audition simultaneously for both their summer shows).

"I had some wonderful people audition, but I just saw all four of these people (in the roles) immediately. It made things easy later on, because then I could really concentrate on filling the ensemble."

Castillo made her KFT debut in 2011 with lead roles in both Oklahoma and Into the Woods. She's also appeared there in Narnia (2013) and Honk! (2014), mixed among Seattle-area gigs at Second Story Repertory, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Driftwood Players (Edmonds), Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society and other theaters on the east side.

She said working at KFT adds a "family aspect" to her acting that complements the more "adult" shows she does on the other side of the water.

"It's nice to do things that, not only can my family be involved in, but other people can bring their families to see," she said. "It's been a great family experience."

And, in the case of this particular two-show skein, it really fills up a summer.

http://www.kitsapsun.com/entertainment/local-theater-mary-poppins-goes-green_64236984

Adam Othman (Lord Farquaad) is thrilled to be spending his summer at the Kitsap Forest Theater playing the cantankerous villain in Shrek the Musical. A native Seattleite, Adam has worked as an actor and director with many theater companies throughout the Northwest for over 25 years. He currently teaches and directs the theater and filmmaking programs at Seattle Preparatory School.

Adam was first introduced to the Kitsap Forest Theater 28 years ago when his high school choir teacher, Robert Cooper, was music directing an original production of Robin Hood, The Musical. He convinced Adam and some of his classmates to come and audition and for this young budding actor it was an opportunity and experience of a lifetime. Recent KFT productions include playing the Narrator/Mysterious Man in Into the Woods (2011) and last season he was asked to bring his talents to direct Honk (2014). Honk held a special place in Adam’s heart not only for the timeless message and wonderful songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drew, but also the continuation of the “Circle of Life” as three of his current high school students from Seattle Prep auditioned and were cast in the roles of Ugly and the Bullfrog Twins.

When Adam got the call to come and audition for the role of Lord Farquaad in Shrek, this was an opportunity he could not pass … the excitement of working with some amazing actors, the thrill of playing this fun and often misunderstood villain and the beauty of performing at one of this favorite theaters drew him in. “Acting, for me, is more than just a craft and the ability to share my talents, it is the connections that make theater come to life. The connections with my fellow actors, the artistic team, the audience, and, especially here at Kitsap, the connection of performing at this picturesque outdoor theater.”

“The Kitsap Forest Theater is unique as it brings together actors (young and old), generations of families, volunteers and artists … all who have one purpose: to create vibrant theater. Shrek is a unique show with loveable, yet quirky, characters, fun music and a timeless story of acceptance. I love the message of this show: being true to oneself no matter what others may think. This message really comes through during the Act 2 song, “Freak Flag”, and although my character is not onstage performing during this number, I am dancing and singing it in the wings. And remember, don’t judge a man by his SHORTcomings!”

Meagan Castillo (Fiona) is excited to be spending another summer at the beautiful Kitsap Forest Theater. A Seattle native, Meagan has performed with many local theater companies, including Seattle Musical Theater, SecondStory Repertory, Tacoma Musical Playhouse and the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society. She is currently a pre-nursing student at Bellevue College.

The 2015 season, offering two amazing shows, presented a unique challenge for Meagan. “Actors frequently ask each other about their ‘list’, which shows and roles they are dying to do.  My list is pretty short, but Fiona in Shrek is definitely on it”, so when she saw that the theater was also producing Mary Poppins, another dream role, Meagan was torn. “It’s always tricky, balancing family and ‘work’.  Fortunately my family is amazing, and although my kids are too busy to participate in the summer show, everyone encouraged me to go out for both shows.” Much to Meagan’s surprise, she landed both leads.

The themes in Shrek (along with the quirky characters and upbeat music), are part of what drew Meagan to the show. “The need to fit in, to be what others expect you to be, can be strong. Shrek reminds us not only to embrace our own differences, but to respect the differences in others”.

Meagan was first drawn to the Kitsap Forest Theater in 2011, when her then 10-year-old son expressed an interest in joining her on stage. The unique environment of the theater, which encourages family participation both on and off stage, was a perfect fit. Since then, Meagan has had the privilege of appearing on the Kitsap stage with both of her younger sons; in the 2013 production of Narnia, and Honk! in 2014.  “I believe that the family friendly, multi-generational environment of the Kitsap Forest Theater is very important, both for the cast and for the audience. I'm proud to be a part of creating a place where parents and grandparents can expose their children to quality theater in a relaxed and welcoming space”.