Perry Sook is no ill-tempered ogre, although he portrays one in the touring musical production of “Shrek.”

“Shrek” tells the story of an ogre who’s tough on the outside, but hides a tender heart. His mission to take back his swamp turns into a love story when the evil Lord Farquaad sends Shrek to rescue Princess Fiona on his behalf.

The movie offers a traditional fairy tale story and some easy laughs for younger viewers. It also works as a parody of classic stories, appealing to older audiences.

But when it came time for Sook to don a 70-pound ogre suit and portray the much-loved character, he found that in the film, Shrek lacked some complexity.

Sook seeks to bring a more fully formed Shrek to the stage of the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center next week.

Sook, who hails from Maine, said that any stage portrayal of the ogre walks a fine line between simply giving voice to the icon that DreamWorks created and developing a new, fresh character.

“As far as the voice and the mannerisms and the walk, I went back to the source material ... because I thought that was important to the authenticity. But as far as the relationships with characters, I tried to put my own personal twist and adaptation on it,” Sook said.

The actor said he continues to discover more about Shrek each time he goes onstage. After about 85 performances of the nationally touring show, Sook has built up quite a back story for his character.

“Shrek is like any person, he is searching for happiness,” Sook said. “Deep down inside, Shrek is only a bad guy when he has to be a bad guy. Which really, I think, makes him a good guy.”

The actor believes audiences will discover and appreciate new aspects of Shrek, as well as the other characters, when they see the musical. He thinks the musical does a particularly good job of showing the depth of the relationship between Shrek and Princess Fiona, played by Whitney Winfield.

In general, he said, live productions offer an immediacy lacking in animated movies. Sook is sure that’s the case with the musical production of “Shrek.”

“(The musical) goes to the next level. It adds that visceral human emotion that you really can’t get ... out of a screen,” he said. “Sure, you know what an ogre looks like. You know what a dragon looks like. But to actually see these things come to life on the stage is really just a magical experience.”

“Shrek” will play at the Carson Center at 7 p.m. on Jan. 29 and 30. Tickets start at $32.50, not including fees, and may be purchased by calling the box office at 270-450-4444 or going online at www.thecarsoncenter.org.

Call Laurel Black, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 575-8641.

Want to go?

What:“Shrek the Musical”

Where:Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center

When:7 p.m. Jan. 29 and 30