Preview performances begin Nov. 8 for the new musical based on the story and characters from William Steig's book "Shrek!," as well as the DreamWorks Animation film "Shrek." Opening night is Dec. 14. A Seattle tryout recently ended; the troupe (including Brian d'Arcy James in the title role) will soon jump back into rehearsals.
Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole) penned the lyrics and libretto, and Tony Award nominee Jeanine Tesori (Millie, Caroline, or Change) wrote the music.
Jason Moore (Avenue Q) directs.
Shrek the Musical is DreamWorks Animation's first venture in legitimate theatre. The production was initiated when Sam Mendes, a big fan of the first "Shrek" film, suggested the idea of creating a musical to DreamWorks Animation's Jeffrey Katzenberg around the time the second film was in production. The musical is being produced by DreamWorks Theatricals (Bill Damaschke, president) and Neal Street Productions, Ltd (principals Sam Mendes and Caro Newling).
Tickets for Shrek the Musical are available by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200, (800) 432-7250 outside the NY metro area, online at Telecharge.com, or in person at The Broadway Theatre box office (1681 Broadway at 53rd Street). Group sales are available by contacting Telecharge Group Sales at (212) 239-6262, or 800-432-7780. For more information, visit www.shrekthemusical.com.
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The pre-Broadway engagement of Shrek the Musical at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre played Aug. 14-Sept. 21.
During the Seattle run, Playbill.com reported that Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Rob Ashford agreed to lend a hand in the shaping of the new Broadway-bound musical. Ashford flew into Seattle Sept. 2 to assist director Moore. "I called Rob Ashford and asked him to come out and take a look at the show," Moore recently told Playbill.com. "We've been adding three or four new musical numbers…. We want to get as much accomplished here as we can. Rob got here last night. He'll be with us through Seattle. It will be another pair of hands on deck." To read Playbill.com's interview with director Moore, click here.
