The San Jacinto College Central Campus Department of Theatre and Film debuted Shrek the Musical last night, a show based on the Oscar-winning animated film.

Set in a mythical “once upon a time” sort of land, Shrek the Musical is the story of a hulking ogre who, after being mocked and feared his entire life by anything that crosses his path, retreats to an ugly green swamp to exist in happy isolation.

The show’s director, Dr. Jerry Ivins, said one of the challenges he faced was deciding which actors to cast as each character.

“Sometimes, you have three different people whom the music director, choreographer, and the director have in mind,” Ivins said. “And you have to select one person for the role.”

From an actor’s perspective, Noah Welch said he wrestled with presenting his character, the Big Bad Wolf, in a fresh and inspired manner.

“How do I bring my character to life,’’ Welch questioned while preparing for his role, “but still make it known who I am, but still have my own originality to it, and be in a completely different character than anyone I have seen on stage before?”

Welch said he is ready to get in front of an audience and see the cast and crew’s hard work come to fruition.

“Personally, I am excited for people to see the people that I work with every day and finally getting to showcase what they do,” he said. “I am lucky enough to go to school and be friends with some of the most talented people I know.”

Along with Shrek the Musical, Central Campus will stage their annual Christmas show, Santa’s Christmas Magic, later this semester. Their spring lineup features Radium Girls and The Perils of Truly Sweet.

The next round of auditions for the Christmas show is coming up, and Ivins encourages members of the San Jac community that are curious about acting to audition.

“Just come out,” he said. “If you think you have an interest, we’ll explore it.”

Performances of Shrek the Musical are tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday and Oct. 24-27 in Slocomb Auditorium (C13) on the Central Campus. Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. nightly and 2:30 p.m. for Sunday matinees. Further box office information is available at (281) 476-1828.