Ugly can be fun, ‘Shrek’ actor discovers

CINDY WOODindependent feature writer

Perry Sook is an ugly ogre. He’s okay with that.

“The beauty of Shrek is that he isn’t trying to be funny, and I love that,” Sook said. “Shrek is a really good guy, and he’s just trying to get through his life. It becomes funny because of the situation he’s presented with, but he’s really not trying to be funny, which is actually the best type of humor.”

Sook plays the lead role in the upcoming performances of Shrek The Musical that are coming to Van Wert on December 22 at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. The musical brings to the stage the iconic DreamWorks film that children and adults fell in love with. While Sook enjoys bringing the ogre to life, it can be a struggle.

“It’s definitely interesting trying to keep it authentic to what DreamWorks created, but at the same time putting your own spin on it,” he said.

He’s managed to do just that. Sook is part of an ensemble cast that delivers the story of the ogre who finds himself in the middle of an adventure to reclaim his land. Shrek is joined along the way by a donkey, a dragon and Princess Fiona, played beautifully by Whitney Winfield.

“She is just a phenomenal talent, fun to work with, and is really just a juggernaut of energy,” Sook said of his castmate. “We always have fun together. If we’re in a scene together where we’re laughing on stage, we actually are still laughing backstage.”

Only 4 years old when the acting bug bit him, Sook treasures his time spent on stage, and his ability to make a living doing something he loves. “With the tour life, there’s really not a time when I’m not Shrek,” Sook said, adding, “so much of our craft is a physical and emotional investment. Music is very important to me and I absolutely love to sing so getting the opportunity to do that for a profession is really just a blessing.”

Sook and his castmates bring 19 songs to the production, a load of laughs and brilliant scenery that draws the audience into the story. Since his humble beginning at age 4 as a fill-in in a local production, Sook has immersed himself in the world of theatre, graduating from the University of Oklahoma School of Musical Training.

“Both of my sisters were already in a play my mom was directing and someone got sick two days before the show and had to drop out,” Sook said. “So I told my mom I wanted to do it and I haven’t looked back since then.”

A large part of acting, Sook said, is making a connection with the audience as well as listening to opinions of cast mates and stagehands. “That’s really how you keep it fresh,” he said. “Fortunately, we have a wonderful cast that is a pleasure to work with. You make the connections real and authentic by truly listening to what you hear, and reacting to it.”

Plenty of doors have been slammed in his face along his career path, but Sook remained committed to theatre, and kept auditioning. Eventually, he began landing parts and building his resume. “You’re going to get a hundred no’s for every one yes, but every one yes makes those hundred no’s irrelevant,” he said. “You really just have to go for it and be relentless with your passion.”

Relying on what he calls the best advice he was ever given, Sook walks into auditions “like I own the place,” he said with a laugh. “And then you walk out like you couldn’t have done any worse. More times than not, you will get a ‘no’. I walked out of the Shrek audition feeling really good, but you never really think you landed it.”
Fortunately, he did land it, and he’s happy to show what he hopes will be a sold-out audience why during his upcoming performance. “Many people know the story of Shrek and Fiona, but what’s really magical is getting to see that come to life. People have seen the ogre and the donkey, but to see it come to life before your eyes in such a real and visceral way is a joy to anyone watching.”

For tickets, or information about the show, visit www.npacvw.org or call the box office.