Shrek the Musical

Continuing: The story of the misunderstood misfit who becomes an unlikely hero is an evergreen one, not to color the theme too broadly. The green-hued heroes and antiheroes include the Incredible Hulk, the Grinch and Elphaba of "Wicked" fame. Then there's Shrek, a galumphing ogre who falls for a pretty girl in the 2001 animated blockbuster feature. Playwright David Lindsay-Abaire wrote the lyrics and book to this musical composed by Jeanine Tesori ("Caroline, or Change") for the Tony-winning stage adaptation, which has been tightened here for young audiences. This summertime production at Stages Theatre Company is helmed by Sandy Boren-Barrett, the company's artistic director, with a cast of youngsters that includes Andrew Moy as Shrek, Marin Wilts as Fiona and Kimora Collins as the inimitable Donkey. (7 p.m. Fri.; 1 p.m. Sat.; 2 & 4:30 p.m. Sun. Ends July 30. Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins. $12-$16. 952-979-1111 or stagestheatre.org.)

Rohan Preston