'Shrek: The Musical' at Tivoli

photo Donkey (portrayed by Terrance Wright, center) sings to Princess Fiona (Grace Kling, left) and Shrek (Johnny Krause) as they enjoy a snack of snothers (squirrel gizzards, mulch and graham crackers) in "Shrek: The Musical," a Closed Door Entertainment production to be presented this weekend at the Tivoli Theatre.

Fans of DreamWorks' big green ogre probably already know that "Shrek" has spawned three sequels, two holiday specials and a big-screen spin-off, but don't forget that Shrek also gave his regards to Broadway.

This weekend, local theater company Closed Door Entertainment will carry on the unlikely hero's fairy-tale existence with four performances of "Shrek: The Musical" on the Tivoli Theatre stage.

IF YOU GO¦ What: "Shrek: The Musical" by Closed Door Entertainment.¦ When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16; 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17.¦ Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.¦ Admission: $20 and $28.50 plus convenience fees.¦ Phone: 423-642-TIXS.¦ Website: www.ChattanoogaOnStage.com.

The story is set in a faraway kingdom turned upside down. Ornery Shrek, who lives alone in a swamp, finds his precious solitude shattered by an invasion of annoying fairy-tale characters, including three homeless pigs, blind mice in his food and a big, bad wolf in his bed. They've all been banished from their kingdom by the evil Lord Farquaad, a ruler known for his very short, um, temper.

To save their home, and his own, Shrek cuts a deal with Farquaad and sets out to rescue feisty Princess Fiona to be Farquaad's bride. Accompanying him on his mission is wisecracking Donkey, who will do anything for Shrek, except shut up. But rescuing the princess from a fire-breathing dragon may be the least of their worries when the deep, dark secret she has been keeping is revealed.

FAST FACTS

¦ Ogre, meet Oscar: "Shrek," released in 2001, won the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Also in the running were "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" and "Monsters, Inc."

¦ Big-screen scene: The Shrek movie franchise consists of four computer-animated films. Following "Shrek" to the big screen were "Shrek 2" (2004), "Shrek the Third" (2007) and "Shrek Forever After" (2010). A short 3-D film, "Shrek 4-D," was released in 2003.

¦ Holidays on TV: ABC premiered the Christmas special "Shrek the Halls" in 2007. NBC aired "Scared Shrekless" before Halloween in 2010.

¦ Spin-off: "Puss in Boots," released in 2011, follows the swashbuckling feline on his adventures before his first appearance in "Shrek 2."

¦ Origins: Before Shrek made it big in the movies, there was William Steig's 1990 picture book "Shrek." It was among Publishers Weekly's Best Children's Books of the Year and School Library Journal's Best Books of the Year.

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