'Shrek The Musical' swamped with all-Filipino lead stars

Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and Lord Farquaad are bringing their swampy adventures to the Philippine stage with the local adaptation of Shrek The Musical.

Newport World Resorts presents the upcoming ogre-sized production starring some of the finest Filipino theater stars.

Jamie Wilson stars as Shrek, the gruff but soft-hearted ogre determined to protect his swamp. The veteran actor’s career includes a Broadway World Asia Award-winning turn in Matilda The Musical, as well as an Aliw Award for Best Actor in Run For Your Wife. He portrayed Arturo Banlaoi in all three sold-out runs of Ang Huling El Bimbo and will appear in the upcoming Philippine staging of Into the Woods as Cinderella’s distant father and the anxious royal steward. He has also directed Ely Buendia: A Night at the Theater.

Krystal Kane embraces her next transformation as the feisty, quick-witted Princess Fiona. She started young onstage, beginning her career at just nine years old in Aspects of Love and The Sound of Music. Her love for performing led her to study musical theater in New York before returning to Manila, where she played Wendla in Spring Awakening and Jerry in Tabing Ilog: The Musical. After a four-year break to explore photography and styling, Kane came back strong in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. She set to star in Side Show.

Topper Fabregas steps into Donkey’s hooves. As a founding member of Red Turnip Theater, Fabregas has balanced directing and acting in acclaimed works such as Tribes, Rabbit Hole, and The Last Five Years. He has also delivered standout performances in Come From Away, Angels in America, and Ang Huling El Bimbo The Musical. His film work includes Sila-Sila, which earned him Best Supporting Actor at the Cinema One Originals Awards.

Alfredo Reyes, known to many as Bibo, takes on the role of Lord Farquaad, the ambitious ruler of Duloc. He spent many years working full-time as an actor, playing key roles in the premiere international musicals, including In the Heights, The Bridges of Madison County, Waitress and The Band’s Visit, all staged by Atlantis Theatrical. His work also took him across Asia in the touring productions of Saturday Night Fever and Avenue Q. He later starred as Young Hector in the 2018 run of Ang Huling El Bimbo The Musical.

Shrek The Musical starts on 31 October at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are available at Ticketworld, Newport World Resorts Box Office and Helixpay: P4,500 (SVIP), P4,000 (VIP), P3,000 (Gold), P2,000 (Silver) and P1,500 (Bronze).