Alhambra Theatre & Dining leaned fully into the swamp for its production of “Shrek the Musical,” creating an experience that began well before the curtain rose.
From the moment guests entered the Jacksonville dinner theater on June 19, the theme was clear: employees donned crowns and ogre ears, and the lobby was draped with crawling vines and fairy lights.
The elaborate decorations and costumed employees set a whimsical tone to the evening.
That atmosphere carried into the dining room, where nearly every table appeared full and many guests seemed to be Alhambra regulars.
Several patrons described the venue as a familiar favorite, including one longtime guest named Deedee, who wore green pants and sported purple-streaked hair to match the occasion.
Another regular, Quill, helped explain the flow of the evening to a first-time visitor and said the audience was “in good hands.” By the end of the night, that assessment proved accurate.
This reviewer shared a table with Mr. and Mrs. Cook, longtime season ticket holders, who’d brought their granddaughter, Talli, for her birthday.
Shain Stroff as Lord Farquaad in “Shrek the Musical” at Alhambra Theatre & Dining in Jacksonville. (Photo Mary Roesler)
A scene from Alhambra Theatre & Dining’s production of “Shrek the Musical” in Jacksonville. (Mary Roesler)
A three-course meal was served before the performance.
The repast was fresh and the service attentive, starting with a rich artichoke, leek, and brie soup. Main options included blackened salmon, roasted pork cutlets, and a hearty vegetarian garden medley primavera marinara. Apple-pie cheesecake capped off the dining portion of the evening.
The production itself was lively and polished, with a cast capable of handling the show’s mix of fairy-tale parody, physical comedy, and sentimental moments.
Based on the DreamWorks animated film, “Shrek the Musical” follows a grumpy ogre who sets out to rescue Princess Fiona and reclaim the swamp he calls home.
One of the evening’s standouts was 12-year-old Kennedy Swartz, who juggled four roles, most notably young Fiona. Her spectacular vocal and dance numbers brought energy and confidence to the stage, captivating the audience.
Fiona is portrayed at different ages in a scene from Alhambra Theatre & Dining’s production of “Shrek the Musical” in Jacksonville. (Mary Roesler)
An elaborate dragon prop appears in a scene from Alhambra Theatre & Dining’s production of “Shrek the Musical” in Jacksonville. (Mary Roesler)
Shain Stroff, playing Lord Farquaad, delivered one of the night’s most memorable performances. A veteran actor celebrating 27 years in the industry, Stroff has a commanding stage presence and sharp comedic timing. During the show’s closing song, the audience was doubled over in laughter.
Aside from the stage talent, the prop and set work were impressive. The painted backdrops and props gave the production a rich storybook quality, while the dragon puppet was a clear visual highlight.
It was enormous and complex, and could easily have looked clunky, but the crew expertly maneuvered the puppet, which moved with surprising grace.
Alhambra did not simply stage “Shrek the Musical,” it built an immersive experience around it. The result was a enthralling family-friendly production with enough humor, live music, and visual flair to satisfy children and adults alike.
Dining and Cooking