The New York Post reports that the two actors are the top contenders for the lead role of the musical based on the DreamWorks film of the same name. The musical, the New York daily says, will arrive on Broadway in 2008.
As previously announced, a staged reading of Shrek will be held Feb. 23, 2007. Rehearsals for that one-day event will begin Feb. 12.
Produced by Dreamworks Animation & Neal Street Productions, Shrek features music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. Jason Moore directs.
Tony Award winner Tim Hatley (Private Lives, Spamalot) will handle sets and costumes while Tony-nominated Hugh Vanstone (Spamalot, Bombay Dreams) will cover lighting for the eventual full production of the musical.
Based on a William Steig children's book, the green ogre-with-a-heart character has been featured in "Shrek" and "Shrek 2"; a third chapter is currently scheduled to be released in theatres on May 18, 2007. DreamWorks Animation's first venture in legitimate theatre, the developing production was initiated by Jeffrey Katzenberg and Sam Mendes when the studio made a first-look deal with Mendes' producing entity, Neal Street Productions, Ltd.
Kevin Chamberlin received Tony and Drama Desk nominations for his performances in Chicago, Dirty Blonde and Seussical. His other Broadway credits include My Favorite Year, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Triumph of Love and the City Center Encores! mountings of Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 and One Touch of Venus. Off-Broadway he was seen opposite Sarah Jessica Parker in Wonder of the World.
Dan Fogler received Tony, Outer Critics Circle, Theatre World and Lortel awards for his performance in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His other theatrical credits include The Voyage of the Carcass, Joe Fearless, Bridges and Harmonies, Bobby Gould in Hell, Scooby Doo/Stage Fright and The Detective Sketches. Fogler will soon be seen in the feature films "Fanboys" and "School for Scoundrels."