ENSEMBLE SHINES IN GLOBE THEATRE'S SHREK THE MUSICAL

You know a musical has taken you away and made you care about its characters when you’re over 12 years old and still find yourself laughing at a song made up largely of belching and flatulence. Any time Globe Theatre takes on a Tony-nominated Broadway show, there are wide expectations that come with it and it’s likely going to reach a wider audience than do other shows. Perhaps it is doubly so when that musical is based on the beloved animated film Shrek.

But for everyone in the crowd on opening night of Shrek The Musical on Thursday, the Globe’s production more than met every expectation.

You likely know the story: Grumpy ogre tries to get his swamp back from fairy-tale characters by saving Princess Fiona from a dragon’s keep (with help from pal Donkey) in service of the diminutive Lord Farquaad.

The beauty of the musical version, though, is how much it differentiates itself from the film through added character development, done mostly through the show’s 20 songs.

The principals do a beautiful job of bringing characters to life.

Daniel Williston, making his Globe debut in the title role, seemed a bit stiff at first but broke out when he started sharing scenes opposite Kate Blackburn’s Fiona.

By the time Williston closed the first act with the aspirational anthem Who I’d Be, his booming voice had the audience hooked.

Blackburn’s comedic timing as the princess was evident from her first moment on stage and she could make the crowd laugh with just a wide-eyed look.

Taking on the role of Donkey, Jeremy Carver-James seemed to channel Eddie Murphy (who provided the voice in the movie) at times, but also found ways to do his own take, especially as he raps to Shrek in Make A Move.

Ryan Brown might have stolen the show as Farquaad. He likely deserved to do so having spent the entire show walking on his knees — a sight gag that could have gotten old quick, but was saved by how much fun Brown had.

But for all the talent in the starring roles in the sweet, highenergy, sometimes self-referential comedy, it was the ensemble that truly impressed.

Thirteen other actors played roles ranging from the three pigs (or blind mice or bears), the ugly ducking, Peter Pan, and more. The wackiness of some of those characters allowed the likes of Aaron Hutton (Pinocchio) and Madeleine Suddaby (Dragon) to really stand out, as did Jenny Weisz and Anna Mazurik as younger versions of Fiona who teamed with Blackburn on the sad and sweet I Know It’s Today.

Somehow director/choreographer Stephanie Graham made it look easy squeezing 14 or more actors dancing on the confines of the raised circular stage. Brandon Kleiman designed more than 100 costumes for the show and some actors must have switched wardrobe at least a dozen times.

Set designer Joe Pagnan used simple items like books and lighted Mason jars that combined with lighting to take you from the swamp to a dragon’s lair to an enchanted forest with minimal changes.

For a musical that includes a story that most everyone already knows, it still manages to surprise, especially in ways it brings in scenes from the movie that would seem difficult on the live stage (I’ll just say gumdrop buttons and Welcome to Duloc and not spoil it any further).

I’d expected more kids in the crowd than I saw opening night, but it seemed not to matter. By the time the finale hit, it was the adults dancing in the aisles.

Shrek The Musical runs through June 24.