Shrek the Musical: Why This Ogre-Sized Adventure is the Holiday Season’s Must-Watch
September 16, 2025
The cast and creative team of Shrek The Musical at the Press Conference
This year, one of the most beloved fairy tales leaps from the screen to the stage at Newport World Resorts with Shrek the Musical.
Opening on October 31 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, the larger-than-life production sets the stage for the holidays with heart, humor, and an abundance of swamp-inspired spectacle. Audiences can look forward to an enchanting blend of dazzling performances, laugh-out-loud moments, and timeless lessons about love, friendship, and staying true to yourself.
With its vibrant characters, show-stopping musical numbers, and a story that resonates with kids and adults alike, Shrek the Musical promises to be more than just a night at the theater—it’s an unforgettable holiday experience for the whole family.
Here’s why this ogre-sized adventure is shaping up to be a holiday spectacle the whole family cannot miss:
Family-Friendly Holiday Treat
Newport World Resorts’ resident production outfit, Full House Theater Company (FHTC), is making a highly anticipated return to family-friendly fare with Shrek the Musical. Known for staging acclaimed productions that often lean toward more mature themes, FHTC is once again opening its doors to audiences of all ages.
“We haven’t done a children’s sort of musical in a while. Our last one was Chitty Chitty Bang Bang back in 2017, and after that we focused on more adult material,” shared FHTC Co-Artistic Director Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo. “So, ushering in Christmas and Halloween—which are really geared for children—we decided to bring back a musical that is good for families. Shrek was the obvious choice.”
With this decision, FHTC not only taps into the nostalgia of audiences who grew up with the beloved DreamWorks film, but also introduces its timeless message of love, acceptance, and friendship to a new generation of theatergoers.
FHTC Co-Artistic Director Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo
Jamie Wilson as Shrek
A Theme Park Experience on Stage
This production of Shrek the Musical transforms the theater into what feels like a full-blown theme park—an immersive spectacle designed to delight audiences of all ages. With the help of intricate prosthetics, elaborate wigs, and whimsical costumes, every fairy-tale character is brought to life with striking detail. Adding another layer of magic is the use of puppetry, allowing larger-than-life figures to move and breathe before the audience’s eyes.
At the heart of this technical wonder is the Dragon, poised to become one of the show’s most unforgettable highlights. “We’re creating a new design for the dragon for this specific production,” revealed Director Dexter Santos, hinting at a reimagined centerpiece that promises to dazzle.
Santos’ vision is clear: to create a stage that transports audiences into something grand and fantastical. “My dream for this production is for audiences to feel like they are entering a theme park. It would be nice for children to come and watch, becoming a new generation of theatergoers,” he shared.
Humor, Heart, and Holiday Cheer
Shrek the Musical is as funny as it is heartfelt, a balance that makes it both timeless and timely. The humor sticks to the original Broadway script but leaves plenty of room for the cast to explore the layers of their characters. “The script is our bible,” shared Jamie Wilson who plays the role of Shrek. “So we stick to the script. What’s going to be amazing is the discovery of the script. I think it’s going to be really funny because we have to exercise our sense of humor in this production.”
Younger audiences delight in the slapstick antics and fairytale creatures, while older viewers catch the clever writing, sly wordplay, and lessons embedded in the story. This allows the show to resonate as a true family experience. As cast member Topper Fabregas, who plays Donkey, put it, “The humor caters to the adult, but the whole show is such a feast and such a riot. How nice that we get to be a core memory for children who will come to watch the show.”
Topper Fabregas as Donkey
Celebrating the Season with a “Freak Flag” Flying High
The musical also carries a message that feels especially poignant during the holidays: that everyone deserves to belong. Its rousing anthem “Freak Flag” celebrates diversity and difference, reminding audiences that there’s a place for every misfit and dreamer.
“Everyone should come and see this show and celebrate that aspect of life,” said Alfredo Reyes, who plays the delightfully villainous Lord Farquaad. “Freak Flag is about embracing who you are, and I think that’s something we all need to hear.”
In the end, Shrek the Musical captures the very heart of the holiday season—love, laughter, and togetherness. With ogre-the-top spectacle, layered humor, and songs that uplift, the production ensures that every theatergoer, young or old, will find a piece of themselves in the swamp.
Based on the DreamWorks Animation hit film and the classic book by William Steig, Shrek the Musical features book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori. The hit Broadway show was originally produced by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, and now finds a new home in Manila—just in time for the holidays.
So, whether you’re looking for an adventure for the kids, a nostalgic trip down memory lane, or simply a heartwarming night of theater, Shrek the Musical promises to be the ultimate holiday treat. This season, let your freak flag fly high—and join Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and a swamp full of fairy-tale misfits in celebrating the magic of the holidays.
Alfredo Reyes as Lord Faarquad
Show Details & Ticket Information
Catch Shrek the Musical starting October 31, 2025 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, with additional November show dates now open.
🎟️ Tickets are available at TicketWorld, the Newport World Resorts Box Office, and HelixPay at the following prices:
- SVIP – PHP 4,500
- VIP – PHP 4,000
- Gold – PHP 3,000
- Silver – PHP 2,000
- Bronze – PHP 1,500
For inquiries, contact Customer Care at 📞 7908-8888 or 📧 info@fhtcentertainment.com.
Photos from NWR Musicals.
Krystal Kane as Fiona