259. The Cup | Shrek the Musical (Young People’s Theatre)

Welcome back to the 259th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 259th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Shrek the Musical, with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, directed by Herbie Barnes, presented by Young People’s Theatre. Join host and Co-Artistic Producer Mackenzie Horner and Associate Artistic Producer Jillian Robinson, as they discuss the strengths of YPT’s abridged adaptation, the majesty and ingenuity of this production’s dragon puppet and the inventive ways the show found its balance between individuality and honouring the past films and major productions that proceeded it.Shrek the Musical is playing on the Ada Slaight Stage (165 Front Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 3Z4) from Nov 13th – Dec 30th, 2025. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.youngpeoplestheatre.org/tickets/shrek/This review contains many SPOILERS for Shrek the Musical. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [16:18] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk. Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeatApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeNSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatreIf you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to [email protected]