A quiet swamp is the perfect home to a grumpy, gruff, green ogre until his hermit existence is thrown open by a group of homeless fairy tale characters, which invade to seek refuge from the cruel, vertically challenged Lord Farquaad. Shrek, the reclusive ogre, seeks out Farquaad to offer a deal: if Shrek rescues the Princess Fiona, whom Farquaad wishes to marry for her crown, then Farquaad will ensure the return of Shrek’s swamp by returning the fairy tale creatures to their homes.

According to a press release, Waterworks Players fall production is “Shrek the Musical.”

“With music by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, this play is based on the 2001 DreamWorks movie Shrek and William Steig’s book of the same name,” officials said in the release. “The play’s central character is Shrek, Craig Dodson, an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking donkey, Elijah Logue, and a feisty princess, Sherri Davenport, who resists her rescue.”

The release cited that amongst the group of fairy tale misfits is the sweet and earnest gingerbread man called Gingy, Tehya Cifers, who is held captive and tortured by Lord Farquaad, Mason Patrick.

“The beloved, yet at times sassy puppet Pinocchio, Peyton Bryant, has been banished to Shrek’s swamp where he is also joined by the Big Bad Wolf, Don Blaheta, three persecuted pigs — Allyson Johnson, Kolby Grimsley, and Jordan Whiley — Peter Pan, Cole Pillow, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Kaylie Bennet, and an ugly duckling, Chloe Logue. “Papa Bear, Michael Green, Mama Bear, Sammi Anderson, and Baby Bear, Grace Dodson, are also fleeing with Humpty Dumpty, Rachel Witham, the shoemaker’s elf, Ava Janowski, and the white rabbit, Anna Stinson,” officials said in the release. “Like all good fairy tales, there is a wicked witch, Christy Moore. And Donkey is hotly pursued by a ferocious female dragon, Charlotte Trant.”

According to the release, Zachary Glasscock, in his Waterworks Players directorial debut, is directing the production and will be assisted by Carole Harper, who is music director, and Laura Millon, choral director.

Make room for ogresized family fun as the greatest fairy tale never told comes to life in a whole new way in this breathtaking Broadway musical adaptation of the hit movie “Shrek” The show runs Oct. 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. There will be a matinee performance Oct. 22 at 3 p.m. “‘Shrek the Musical’ is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI),” officials said in the release. “All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. The book and lyrics are by David Lindsay-Abaire and music is by Jeanine Tesori.”

The release cited the musical was originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatrical and Neal Street Productions and was directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford. For more information or to volunteer, contact the Waterworks Players at (434) 392-3452 or