Initially, critics were mixed on the book, but universally praised the .
Unlike the film’s opening (reading a fairy tale book), the musical opens with a young Shrek being abandoned by his parents. The overture is bouncy and deceptive, leading into a lullaby that is instantly subverted. "Big Bright Beautiful World" is Shrek’s theme: a sarcastic, bluesy waltz about the cruelty of humanity. The irony is thick, but the melody is haunting. Shrek the musical score
The Act I (or late Act II) anthem for the fairy tale creatures. When the Gingerbread Man, the Three Bears, and the Wicked Witch decide to revolt, they sing a rock anthem about embracing their weirdness. It is the "Let It Go" of the outsider set. The chord progression is simple, but the lyrics ("Let your freak flag fly") have become a mantra for theatre kids worldwide. Initially, critics were mixed on the book, but