By Andrew Gans
23 Jul 2009

Brian d'Arcy James in Broadway's Shrek
photo by Joan Marcus

Because the Tony-winning Billy Elliot the Musical will launch its national tour with an open-ended run in March 2010 at Chicago's Ford Center for the Performing Arts' Oriental Theatre, the national tour of another new musical, Shrek, has shifted its touring plans.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Shrek the Musical will now launch its tour at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre in June 2010 rather than the previously announced Ford Center for the Performing Arts' Oriental Theatre. (August: Osage County tour will also now play the Cadillac Palace rather than the Oriental Theatre, according to the Chicago daily.)

Shrek — which is based on based on the story and characters from William Steig's book and the DreamWorks Animation film of the same name — features a book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Olivier Award winner Jeanine Tesori and direction by Tony Award nominee Jason Moore.

Shrek, according to a press statement, "is an entirely new musical based on the story and characters from William Steig's book 'Shrek!,' as well as the DreamWorks Animation film."

No casting for the tour has been announced. Additional venues are expected.

Cadillac Palace Theatre is located at 151 W. Randolph Street. For more information visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

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