Windy City: Lukas Poost Gets His "Shrek" On in Portland

Monday, 12 September 2011 11:29 | Written by Byron

SHREK TREK: Lukas Poost is coming to Portland. Never heard of him? Well you wouldn't be alone. That's because this whip-snapping, twentysomething-er just graduated this spring from college.

But you might have heard of the character this young child-man will play once he hits Portland. He's a belching, farting, messy green monster that goes by the name of George W....no wait..it's "Shrek."

"Shrek, The Musical", based on the Dreamworks film, closed up shop on The Great White Way awhile ago. But the second run of its national tour is kicking off right here in the swamp we call Portland. And Poost grabbed the great big green monster of a role.

I had a chance to talk to Poost in between tech rehearsals and shows in, of all places, Yakima, Wash. and opening night in Portland, which just so happens to be Tuesday night.

This is a big break for the incredibly handsome kid. And, I am sure someday soon, everyone will know his name. But, for now, due to his "Shrek-ification," his anonymity is safe in Portland. Follow Luke Poost on Twitter here. His tweets are awesome. But, for now, enjoy his interview below.

How did a nice kid like you end up being a stinky ogre?
Just lucky I guess. I graduated this past May from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and we had a showcase in NYC that one of the associate casting directors for NETworks happened to come to. I sang "Who I'd Be," the act one finale, and was called in for some auditions and here I am today in Portland, blessed to be having the time of my life.

Did you ever think in your wildest dreams you'd start your tour in the middle of Central Washington aka Yakima aka 'Nowhere'?
I had never thought I'd be starting my career way out here. Yakima is gorgeous. What a beautiful town. We were teching the show there so we didn't have a whole lot of time to explore, but what we did see and experience was fantastic. There was a great farmer's market type deal going on on Sunday that was really great, reminded me of home. I grew up in a tiny town in the endless mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania and had never until now been any further west than Michigan, so getting to see the country like this is absolutely another part of this dream.

What was it about you that makes you the perfect person to take Shrek out on the road?
Well, I'm pretty smelly...

Shrek went through several changes before it premiered on the stage in London. Is that true for the U.S. tour as well? Is it true that the Dragon moves around a lot more?
It is true. We started our rehearsals with the version of the script that they put together in London and worked from there, adding our own little spices into the mix here and there. It's grown a lot since the original Broadway run, especially at it's heart. It is VERY true about the dragon. She's about 30 feet long and stunningly gorgeous. And filled with life and energy. I had to scrape my jaw off the floor when I first saw her.

I know it's early in the run, but any weirdness due to the nature of the show. Like have you lost an ear or anything on stage?
No dismembered ogre parts. Yet. But there is one scene at the the beginning of the second act involving a scampering rat that seems to carry a bit of a curse.

Shrek is a pretty coarse character. Can you burp on cue?
Almost every time! ;)