Photo courtesy of Mark Wilmes The Lake Benton Opera House is presenting “Shrek: The Musical,” which opens today.

LAKE BENTON — The Rev. Gena Maria Koeberl just moved to Tyler in March for a settled call as pastor of Danebod Lutheran Church and director of the folk school and wanted a way to connect with the community that would “also fill my bucket with joy.”

So she auditioned for Lake Benton Opera House’s production of “Shrek: The Musical” and got the part of Princess Fiona. Koeberl said she’s always loved theater, musicals, singing and performing but hasn’t lived in a place with community theater opportunities for a while.

Koeberl said she had no expectations when auditioning.

“Kinda hopeful, but I’ve never had a lead role so I didn’t expect it,” she said. “I was surprised, bit scared and mostly ready for something new, an adventure and challenge like this.”

“Shrek: The Musical” is being performed at 7:30 p.m. today-Saturday, and July 31-Aug. 3, and 2 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 3-4, at the Lake Benton Opera House. The show is being directed by Mark Wilmes.

Playing the title role is Alan Riedel. He also played Shrek with Brookings Community Theatre three years ago and said he enjoys the role.

“It’s pretty much me, only green,” he said.

Tom Schmitt, who plays Donkey in the show, said he didn’t specifically try out for the part.

“Any of the three main male roles, Shrek, Donkey or Lord Farquaad, would have been fine with me,” Schmitt said. “I did think, however, that Donkey would be the most fun to play and would probably be the best fit for me. There is really no limit to how crazy I can get with this character. And as everyone who knows me that the crazier the better.”

Schmitt said the development of his character came from different sources.

“I’ve been a big fan of all the ‘Shrek’ movies and don’t think that we missed any in the theaters,” Schmitt said. “With young kids at the time, we watched and re-watched the movies many times on DVD. Other sources include the many videos you can find on YouTube. Combine all that with my own personal flair for being a little crazy on stage and you get my version of what I think Donkey should be.”

Schmitt said the relationship between Shrek and Donkey is odd and took some time to figure out.

“But Al and I have known each other for a few years and have been in a couple of shows together, so we kind of knew what the other is capable of and how far we can push one another,” Schmitt said.

Koeberl said Fiona is a princess born into a role she has to play.

“She’s been kidding herself her entire life,” she said. “She knows she is not the Disney princess everyone wants her to be and she is trying so desperately not to let the façade crack. Classic Fiona: She has the epic ‘Snow White’ song, singing with birds and twirling around. She ends up summoning a swarm of rats, kills the bird and is jacked up on coffee — things Disney princesses would never do.

“She has a curse to be an ogre at sunset that she is disgusted by and believes she can never be loved for. She hates herself. She has this thing that she hides away because she thinks it makes her unlovable. We can all relate to that. Every single person has their ogre, that thing that they hide away. That thing that we think makes us unlovable, unlikeable, not someone you want to be friends with or work with.”

Koeberl said she can relate with Fiona being a female ELCA pastor.

When people hear ‘pastor’ they have certain expectations,” she said. “Something between a charismatic Steve Martin and wise, stoic Gregory Peck, and very male. So, the comment ‘You don’t look like a pastor,’ or ‘You don’t act like a pastor, are pretty common responses when I live out my calling. Personally, I think we need less actors and more authenticity in ministry.

“So, I prefer to leave my acting to the stage and live an authentic vocation of presence and vulnerability.”

The musical is much like the movie, Riedel said, and there are a few subtle differences.

“It is pretty much the movie script,” he said.

The set for “Shrek,” Riedel said, consists of six six-foot platforms and about 10 sheets of plywood that hang on the front that are painted different colors. There’s also a ramp to the upstairs on the west side of the stage and stairs down on the east side of the stage.

“And we’ve also got a few things like a storybook that people walk out and the drawbridge for the character of Farquaad to walk out of,” Riedel said. There’s also a tree where a bird is perched, and a cookie sheet that pulls out, he said. “Lots of fun stuff in the show.”

Riedel said to get tickets early as the show will probably sell out a couple of different times.

“And come ready to have some fun, and while you’re here, you could pick up a set of Shrek ears,” he said.

Bringing “Shrek” to the stage has been a lot of work, said Koeberl.

“I’ve been dealing with two bouts of bronchitis throughout rehearsals, so this has been a physical challenge,” she said. “It’s been a good lesson in self-acceptance. I’ve had to carry on even though my voice and breath support has not been cooperating with my will.”