"Shrek, the Musical" plays the Garde

It's become de rigeur. If you make an animated film and see it succeed wildly, you are obligated to turn it into a Broadway musical.

"Beauty and the Beast" began the trend. "The Lion King" proved its artistic possibilities.

And "Shrek, the Musical" did its thing, turning the screen comedy into a Tony-nominated stage romp. It's a fun-for-all ages enterprise; it recreates kids' character faves onstage and weaves in nods to other Broadway shows for the adults' amusement.

What's particularly interesting (and what helps explain the show's high quality) are who "Shrek, the Musical's" composer and playwright are.

David Lindsay-Abaire received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2007 for his play "Rabbit Hole." Oh, and he developed his plays "Kimberly Akimbo" and "Fuddy Meers" at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford.

Jeanine Tesori won a 2004 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music for "Caroline, or Change." Tesori developed the musical "Violet" at - wait for it - the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford. She was back in the area last year to give the keynote address at the center's annual Eugene O'Neill Celebration.

You've gotta love the reach that the O'Neill has.

In any case, the "Shrek" tour brings all its ogre-loving mirth to the Garde Arts Center for two shows Sunday.

- KRISTINA DORSEY

"Shrek, the Musical," 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London; $40-$70; (860) 444-7373, gardearts.org.