SHREK, THE MUSICAL
Character Breakdown/Plot Synopsis/Audition Sides
DON’T FORGET ABOUT OUR AUDITION WORKSHOP (an opportunity to sing your audition piece with an
accompanist) ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH – REGISTER TODAY!
MONOLOGUE/SIDE/SONG INFO FOR LEADING/SUPPORTING LEAD ROLES, if interested. Please note
there are many leading and supporting roles within the stage play of SHREK, THE MUSICAL. You will not
see all roles listed below – if you are interested in a speaking role, please choose one from the list
below.
• If you are interested in a lead character role- please take an audition side and prepare a
monologue/song from the paper (memorized).
• Really think about the character, take a risk – have fun with something new!...maybe do a little
research on the show, tooJ
• You may only choose one selection from below.
• If you are preparing a side or side/song below – YOU SHOULD STILL SING 32 BARS OF a
Broadway Style Song for your audition.
Shrek, the Musical, Character List:
Character Breakdown
DONKEY
A talking donkey, who joins Shrek on the run from Farquaad's guards. Quite the
chatterbox, he is not deterred by Shrek's looks and practically forces himself into
his good graces. Easily frightened and pushy, but also an optimistic with heart.
DRAGON
A dragon that has been charged with guarding Princess Fiona in her isolated
castle. She eventually falls in love with Donkey and attempts to keep him there
forever. Imposing and flirtatious, but tired of her job as the glorified baby-sitter.
ENSEMBLE
FAIRYTALE CREATURES (BIG BAD WOLF, THREE LITTLE PIGS, WHITE RABBIT, FAIRY
GODMOTHER, PETER PAN, WICKED WITCH, UGLY DUCKLING, THREE BEARS, MAD
HATTER, HUMPTY DUMPTY, ELF, DWARF, THREE BLIND MICE); ANGRY MOB; HAPPY
PEOPLE; GUARDS; KNIGHTS; RATS
FIONA
The beautiful princess of Far, Far Away, she transforms into an ogre every night
when the sun sets. Rescued by Shrek and eventually falls in love with him. Quirky,
blunt, and multitalented, she is not an ordinary princess.
GINGY
A gingerbread man initially kidnapped by Lord Farquaad. His wit and resolution
help him both avoid trouble and inspire the rest of the fairytale creatures. Often
times, a Puppet. (May be operated by actress appearing as Sugar Plum Fairy).
LORD
FARQUAAD
The comically short, ruthless ruler of Duloc. He is in search of a princess to marry
so that he can become king. Has an intensely unfair bias against fairytale
creatures that stems from a resentment of his father. Self-absorbed, lonely, and
cruel.
PINOCCHIO
The leader of the fairytale creatures. He is an animated puppet whose nose
grows every time he lies. Plenty of sass with a penchant for lying. Could be
played by boy/girl.
SHREK
Our story's title character. A big, green, terrifying ogre who lives alone on a
swamp. He embarks on a journey to rid his land of fairytale creatures and, along
the way, falls in love with Fiona. Begins as a grumpy hermit, but reveals his layers
and eventually becomes the hero.
AUDITION SIDES (please choose one, if interested in a speaking/featured role):
Fiona (stepping, aka interrupting her way, into the story): Oh hello! Sorry I’m late! Welcome to Fiona, the musical! Yay, let’s
talk about me! “Once upon a time, there was a little princess named Fiona, who lived in a kingdom Far Far Away. Once
fateful day, her parents told her that it was time for her to be locked away in a desolate tower, guarded by a fire-breathing
dragon – as so many princesses had for hundreds of years before.”… Isn’t that the saddest thing you’ve ever heard? A poor
little princess hidden away from the world, high in a tower, awaiting her one true l— (she gets cut off).
Pinocchio (having just been ‘dumped in the swamp): This place is a dump! (reading a sign that says…) “All fairytale
creatures have been banished from teh kingdom of Duloc. All fruitcakes and freaks will be sent to a resettlement facility.”
But, I’m not a puppet, I’m a real boy (oops, his nose grows). … Dumped on a swamp! Man, I tell ya, being a fairytale
character creature really sucks pine-sap!
Donkey (1), (speaking to his ‘new friend’ Shrek, who just saved the day): Can I just say? That was incredible. Man, they were
trippin’ over themselves to get away from you. I liked that. (Shrek keeps trying to walk away, but Donkey keeps pestering
him) Say, you lost or something?... Oh, Duloc! I know Duloc! You gotta let me show you the way, because I am like a GPS
with fur! (Shrek says he’s rather be on his own)… But nobody’s fine on their own! Not when you look like we do! Hey, didn’t
you hear what they said? We gotta join forces! Otherwise, they’re gonna lock me up! And I can not go back in a cage! I
don’t know if I mentioned it or not, but I did six years in solitary for impersonating a piñata.
Farquaad (1), (speaking to Gingy, the gingerbread man): ha ha heh heh heh…”Run, run, run as fast as you can, you can’t
catch me – I’m the gingerbread man!”… You are a monster.. you and the rest of that fairy tale trash poisoning my perfect
kingdom. And, it will be even more perfect just as soon as I find a princess to marry. And I hear you know of one. Tell me
where she is!
Donkey (2), (explaining ‘punch-buggy’ to Shrek): The rules are very simple, whoever spots a horse and cart along the road
– Punch buggy! Fun, right?! Haven’t you ever been on a road trip? Man, you need to get out more, because – Punch
buggy! I gotcha with that wagon full of hay over there. See, that’s another reason you need me around. Who else is gonna
fill you in on all the fun stuff you missed out on? You may not know it, but you are one lucky ogre to meet up with – owww
(Shrek punches Donkey)!
Featured Ensemble Role: Welcome to Duloc! Such a Perfect Town! Here we have some rules, let us lay them down. Don’t
make waves, stay in line, and we’ll get along fine. Duloc is a perfect place. (And, now introducing Lord Farquaad) And
here’s the man who made it happen! That towering colossus of moxie! Loooooooooooord Farquaad!
Farquaad (2): And now good people of Duloc, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! The raffle drawing to determine
who will have the honor of setting forth to rescue the lovely Princess Fiona from the fiery keep of the dragon! Spin that
barrel!
Shrek (1), (trying to get Lord Farquaad’s attention for the very first time): Uh, excuse me…. ROAR! Hey, are you Lord
Farquaad? Look, I’ll be out of your silky hair just as soon as you gimme my swamp back. The swamp where you dumped all
those fairy tale creatures. (Farquaad speaks to him not very nicely)… now look here, Half-Pint, I’m here to get my swamp
back!
Young Fiona from within her tower (she is reading out of a storybook, this moment will be sung in the show, but you may
speak it for your audition): There’s a princess, in a tower. Oh my gosh, that’s just like me. Poor Rapunzel – needs a haircut,
but the witch won’t set her free. She passes time by singing –like someone else I know – as years go by she sits and waits, as
years go by? Uh oh.
Teen Fiona from within her tower (she is reading out of a storybook, this moment will be sung in the show, but you may speak
it for your audition): Oh, here’s a good one, it’s a classic. There’s a princess, in a coma – glad it’s her instead of me. Pretty
maiden in a glass box, how I wonder does she pee? Blah blah blah, poison apple, boring boring evil queen, filler filler, been
there done that, seven shorties on the scene. Skip ahead, skip ahead.. but in the end the princess wakes up with a start.
The prince is good at kissing and melting Snow White’s heart.
Fiona (2) from within her tower (she is reading out of a storybook, this moment will be sung in the show, but you may speak it
for your audition): Are you there, God? It’s me, Fiona. Now, I know he’ll appear, ‘cause there are rules and there are
strictures. I believe the storybooks I read by candlelight. My white knight, my knight and his steed – will look just like these
pictures. It won’t be long now, I guarantee. Day number eight thousand, four hundred and twenty three.
SHREK (2): For your information, there’s a lot more to ogres than people think… an example you, say?... ummm, okay…
Ogres are like onions. And, not only because they stink and they make you cry, but because they have layers. Onions have
layers. Ogres have layers. Onions have layers – you get it? We both have layers. Are you listening?...
Donkey (3), (ala Barry White): Shrek, I know you can’t hear me right now. But if you could, I’d want to say a few things to
you. I am in your corner, buddy. But you have got to tell this girl what you’re really feeling deep down. You may not get
another chance. So just go on now. Just open your heart and.. here we go, that’s right baby, you can tell her!
Shrek (3), (about to tell Fiona that he loves her): Um princess, I um… Well, I was… I was wondering… I was wondering – are
you gonna eat that?
Farquaad (3), (doing reps at the gym at perfecting how he’ll speak to the princess): 494, 495, 496. Princess Fiona? I am Lord
Farquaad. What do you think? No, You’re right, too formal. 600! Fiona? Hi, Farquaad, but you can call me Maximus, as I’ve
no doubt you will. Woof! No, too smutty… But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is Fiona and Farquaad is the
sun.
Dragon (1), (this selection is from a song, but you may either sing/speak for your audition): Another day inside my keep. I get
no rest. I get no sleep. ‘cause when I start to count my sheep, you come around. I draw my shades and lock my doors. Still
you come for what ain’t yours like a hound dog on all fours you sniff around and around and around. You’re gonna stay…
you’re gonna stay, you’re gonna staaaay, forever.
Dragon (2) (this selection is from a song, but you may either sing/speak for your audition): You think I like this job? I’m a
glorified babysitter! No one wants to rescue me! So yeah, I’m a little bitter! I’m no princess, no great beauty, no one ever…
ever… ever… ever wants me. ohhhhh, rescue me! come on baby, and rescue me!
Plot Synopsis:
Act I
Opening like a storybook, our musical adventure begins with a large ogre named Shrek narrating the story of his seventh
birthday. As he narrates, the storybook comes to life and we see Shrek’s parents telling the seven-year old version of himself
that it is time for him to venture out into the world on his own. As he does, his parents’ warning that everyone will hate him
because of his hideous looks proves to be true, and he is forced to live alone, embittered, and angry in a swamp. Before
our eyes Shrek grows up, the adult ogre now stepping into the story he was previously narrating (“Big Bright Beautiful
World”). His lonely solitude is interrupted one day, however, when all of the Fairytale Creatures of the land show up to his
swamp, banished there by Lord Farquaad (“Story of My Life”). Not at all pleased to have his home invaded, and
encouraged by the Fairytale Creatures, Shrek decides to travel to see Lord Farquaad in order to regain the privacy of his
swamp (“The Goodbye Song”). Along the way, he rescues a talkative Donkey from Farquaad’s guards, and after much
begging on the Donkey’s part (“Don’t Let Me Go”), Shrek reluctantly allows him to tag along.
Meanwhile, in Duloc, we are introduced to Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror who is torturing Gingy, the Gingerbread Man, into
revealing the whereabouts of a princess he wishes to marry so that he may finally be a true king. Gingy claims Princess Fiona
is locked in a nearby tower, surrounded by lava and a dragon. Lord Farquaad decides to have a festival to draw the name
of a Duloc citizen that will have to fetch Princess Fiona for him. As the crowd gathers (“Welcome to Duloc”/”What’s Up
Duloc?”), Shrek and Donkey arrive and Lord Farquaad demands that in return for the deed to the swamp Shrek must find
and bring back Princess Fiona.
While Shrek and Donkey set off, the lights come up on seven-year old Fiona, stuck in her castle and dreaming that she will
one day be rescued by one a prince (“True Love’s First Kiss”). As she grows into a teenager, and then a headstrong woman,
she never loses her faith in her fairy tales ("I Know It's Today"). As Shrek and Donkey continue on their journey, Shrek becomes
increasingly annoyed with Donkey’s constant chattering (“Travel Song”). Somehow though, deep down, a friendship has
begun to form. After crossing the lava-bridge, and arriving at the castle, Shrek sets off alone to rescue Fiona while Donkey
encounters a ferocious female Dragon ("Forever"). When Shrek reaches Fiona, she tries and fails to get him to play out
romantic scenarios similar to all those in her storybooks, and at last he is forced to drag her off. Reunited with Donkey they
must then escape angry Dragon. Fiona is thrilled to finally have her rescuer fighting for her (“This Is How A Dream Comes
True”). Shrek traps the Dragon and the trio makes it to safety, where Fiona is appalled to find Shrek is an ogre and not Prince
Charming. Shrek explains that he is merely her champion; instead, she is to wed Lord Farquaad. As the sun begins to set,
Fiona becomes apprehensive, insisting that they rest and that she spend the night alone. Donkey and Shrek stay awake
and as Shrek finally opens up to his new friend for the first time, we see Fiona transformed into an ogress, alone in the
moonlight (“Who I’d Be”).
Act II
The next day, Princess Fiona rises, and excited about it being her wedding day, dances around singing (“Morning Person”).
When she inquires about her groom-to-be, Shrek and Donkey let the “short” jokes fly, and then Shrek begins to mock her
childhood circumstances. Each thinking his/her own childhood is worse, the two begin a contest of one-upmanship that
culminates in a battle of disgusting bodily noises. (“I Think I Got You Beat”). Through this, their pasts are revealed to one
another, and a friendship is kindled.
Meanwhile, back in Duloc, Lord Farquaad plans his wedding, and he reveals his own sordid heritage ("The Ballad of
Farquaad"). As Shrek and Fiona's newfound camaraderie grows into love, Donkey insists, with the help of the Three Blind
Mice, that Shrek should tell Fiona how he feels ("Make a Move"). Before he can though, the sun begins to set, and Fiona
once again rushes away to bed. Refusing to give up on the thought, Donkey goes to the barn where Fiona has retreated,
only to discover that she turns into an ogress at night due to a curse placed on her as a child by a witch. She tells Donkey
that only a kiss from her true love will return her to love’s true form. Alone, Shrek tries to summon the courage to express his
feelings (“When Words Fail”), and when he finally goes to tell Fiona, he overhears the end of her conversation with Donkey,
completely misunderstanding her description of herself as an ugly beast as a reference to him. Hurt, he storms off.
The next day, transformed back to her human form, Fiona decides to tell Shrek about her curse ("Morning Person (Reprise)").
When Fiona tries to explain, however, Shrek rebuffs her. Farquaad and his army approach to claim Fiona, who now upset
herself, not only agrees to the marriage, but also insist that it take place before sunset. Donkey tries to appeal to Shrek, but
Shrek rejects him, angry that Donkey would talk about him with Fiona behind his back, and declares he will return to his
swamp, alone (“Build A Wall”).
Elsewhere, while the Fairytale Creatures, evicted from the swamp, head for their new home, they decide they’ve had it with
Farquaad’s discriminatory treatment (“Freak Flag”). With a newfound confidence, they decide to return to Duloc and take
on Lord Farquaad. Back at the swamp, Donkey and Shrek argue until Shrek is convinced that Donkey and Fiona weren’t
talking about him. Each one forgives the other, and Donkey convinces Shrek that Fiona cares about him. They rush to Duloc,
and Shrek is able to stop the wedding just in the knick of time. He finally finds the words to express his feelings, declaring his
love to and for Fiona (“Big Bright Beautiful World (Reprise)”). Caught between love and her desire to break the curse, Fiona
tries to escape the event, but the exiled Fairytale Creatures storm the wedding and protest their banishment. Amidst the
protests, the sun sets, turning Fiona back into an ogress in front of everyone. Farquaad is disgusted, but insists the marriage is
already binding, claiming he will lock Fiona in a tower and continue to rule as Duloc’s true King. Shrek whistles for the
Dragon he met earlier, and she swoops in, destroying Farquaad in one fiery breath. Finally free of Farquaad, Shrek and
Fiona admit their love for one another and share a kiss. Fiona's curse is broken and she takes her true form: an ogress. At first,
she is ashamed of her looks, but Shrek declares that she is still beautiful. Shrek and Fiona begin a new life together, as
everyone celebrates what makes them special ("This Is Our Story"). They all live happily ever after ("I'm a Believer").