“Shrek The Musical” reminds us that characters in a fairytale are often outcasts, misfits and conflicted.

Pinocchio: That nose. It grows. We know.

Three Blind Mice: Creatures with disabilities.

Mad Hatter. A case of Attention-Deficit, Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) if there ever was.

These and many more fairytale characters are on stage, sometimes all at once, in “Shrek The Musical,” through Nov. 2, Civic Theatre of Allentown, Main Stage, Nineteenth Street Theatre. The Oct. 17 opening night performance was seen for this review.

Civic Theatre of Allentown Artistic Director William Sanders directs “Shrek The Musical” with a knowing awareness of contemporary events without drawing too much attention to the story line’s implications, rather letting the characters and their plight speak for themselves. Assistant Director is Welle.

There’s just enough seriousness in Sanders’ guiding the actors and of their embracing their roles to give one pause for thought, thereby undergirding the production with gravitas, making the show all the more complex, ironic and humorous.

Lord Farquaad (magnificently malevolent Jarrod Yuskauskas) has sentenced the fairy tale characters to “penal transportation” (look it up) from his Kingdom of Duloc to the swamp, dominated literally and figuratively by Shrek (tremendous Richie Warmkessel).

The fairytale characters, led by Pinocchio (terrific Patrick Mertz) urge Shrek to travel to Farquaad to force a change order.

On the road to Duloc, Shrek reluctantly teams up with Donkey (fantastic Noah Schafer).

Meanwhile, Farquaad seems to only care about securing his kingdom come by marrying the fair Princess Fiona (wonderfully comedic Brooke Harrsch).

“Shrek The Musical” is one of the most fully-realized musical productions on the stage at Civic or any Lehigh Valley theater.

The stage craft is bold, with a nearly bare stage, bathed in subsequent hues of pastels by Lighting Designer Ellen Schmoyer with a minimal set (a tree here or there) by Set Designer Josephine Genuardi, Scenic Artist Colleen Algeo and Prop Designer Madison Frye.

The over-the-top costumes by Costume Designer Rigby Maiatico and Scaramouche with Hair and Wigs by Kim Danish, and Puppet & SFZ Makeup Designer Kelcie Kosberg are hilarious and charming to behold. This is Broadway-quality work.

Kudos to Civic and Music Director Nick Conti for going with an orchestra: Eileen Fields, keyboards 1; Todd Deen, keyboards 2; Adam Conti, keyboards 3; Tom Zaneski, guitar 1; Tom Mondschein, guitar 2; Kyle Weaver, bass, and Ron Grassi, drums. The musicians are superb.

The orchestra, with Sound Designer Mike Martens, provides singers and dancers, working with Choreographer Mackenzie Lewis, spontaneity. This is no musical karaoke.

Among Act One standouts of the 12 production numbers: “Story Of My Life” with the fairytale characters; “Don’t Let Me Go,” Noah Schafer (Donkey); “What’s Up, Duloc?,” Jarrod Yuskauskas (Lord Farquaad), Duloc Dancers; “I Know It’s Today,” Helena Putney (Young Fiona), Hannah Snyder (Teen Fiona), Brooke Harrsch (Fiona); “Travel Song,” Noah Schafer (Donkey), Richie Warmkessel (Shrek), and “This Is How A Dream Comes True,” Brooke Harrsch (Fiona), Mack Bolan (Dragon).

Notable Act Two numbers of the 13 include: “Morning Person,” Brooke Harrsch (Fiona), Christine Breiner (Bluebird), “I Think I Got You Beat,” Brooke Harrsch (Fiona), Richie Warmkessel (Shrek), “When Worlds Fail,” Richie Warmkessel (Shrek); “Freak Flag,” Fairytale Characters, and the encore, “I’m A Believer,” Company.

“Shrek The Musical,” which ran on Broadway 2008 to 2010, was nominated for nine Tony Awards. The musical’s book and lyrics are by David Lindsay-Abaire and the music is by Jeanine Tesori.

The stage musical is based on the hit 2001 DreamWorks movie (Oscar, animated feature film); the movie’s three sequels, and the 1990 book by William Steig.

If you’re a fan of all things Shrek, don’t miss “Shrek The Musical” at Civic Theatre of Allentown. It will make you a believer in the quality of theater in the Lehigh Valley.

“Shrek The Musical,” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31; 3 p.m. Oct. 26, Nov. 2; 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1, Civic Theatre of Allentown, 527 N. 19th St., Allentown. 610-433-8903, https://civictheatre.com/

This review is dedicated to Roseann “Rosie” Damico Schatkowski, whose Lehigh Valley stage roles included marketing at DeSales University Theater Department and on stage at Civic Theatre of Allentown.