Stage Production Notes
Based on the 2001 animated film, Shrek the Musical was DreamWork’s first foray into stage entertainment. The show received its world premier at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle in August 2008.
Shrek transferred to Broadway shortly after, opening at the Broadway Theatre on December 14, following a month of previews.
Critics gave the production lukewarm reviews, claiming the show lacked punch and lagged throughout. Theatre ctitic Ben Brantley described it as a “leaden fairy-tale-theme costume party,” though he gave Sutton Foster a rave review, calling her an “inspired, take-charge musical comedian.”
The Broadway production received eight Tony award nominations, with designer Tim Hatley winning for Best Costume Design.
At a reported cost of $25 million, the musical was one of the most expensive shows to ever open on Broadway. Although it occasionally broke box office records at the Broadway Theatre, the show did not recoup its investment.
After 441 performances, the Broadway production of Shrek closed on January 3, 2010.
A revised and pared down version of Shrek undertook a successful US national tour.
A version similar to the touring production, and co-directed by Rob Ashford, opened on the West End at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on May 6, 2012. After closing on February 24, 2013 the show went on a UK tour. The tour was expected to be reprised in 2017.
Based on the 2001 animated film, Shrek the Musical was DreamWork’s first foray into stage entertainment. The show received its world premier at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle in August 2008.
Shrek transferred to Broadway shortly after, opening at the Broadway Theatre on December 14, following a month of previews.
Critics gave the production lukewarm reviews, claiming the show lacked punch and lagged throughout. Theatre ctitic Ben Brantley described it as a “leaden fairy-tale-theme costume party,” though he gave Sutton Foster a rave review, calling her an “inspired, take-charge musical comedian.”
The Broadway production received eight Tony award nominations, with designer Tim Hatley winning for Best Costume Design.
At a reported cost of $25 million, the musical was one of the most expensive shows to ever open on Broadway. Although it occasionally broke box office records at the Broadway Theatre, the show did not recoup its investment.
After 441 performances, the Broadway production of Shrek closed on January 3, 2010.
A revised and pared down version of Shrek undertook a successful US national tour.
A version similar to the touring production, and co-directed by Rob Ashford, opened on the West End at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on May 6, 2012. After closing on February 24, 2013 the show went on a UK tour. The tour was expected to be reprised in 2017.
Filmed Production Notes
The original Broadway production was filmed with 10 high definition cameras and released on DVD and Blu-Ray on October 15, 2013.
The Blu-Ray release included an exclusive feature From Swamp to Stage: The Making of Shrek the Musical. Both the Blu-Ray and DVD included a songbook with a sing-along feature.
Online reviewers gave the DVD release high praise. Writing for High-Def Digest, Luke Rickman praised the high quality of the capture, particularly noting the cinematic camera shots that allow the film to “never become stagnant.”
In December 2013, the production was also made available on Netflix.
Shrek the Musical is currently available to watch on Amazon (as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from this link), and Netflix.
The original Broadway production was filmed with 10 high definition cameras and released on DVD and Blu-Ray on October 15, 2013.
The Blu-Ray release included an exclusive feature From Swamp to Stage: The Making of Shrek the Musical. Both the Blu-Ray and DVD included a songbook with a sing-along feature.
Online reviewers gave the DVD release high praise. Writing for High-Def Digest, Luke Rickman praised the high quality of the capture, particularly noting the cinematic camera shots that allow the film to “never become stagnant.”
In December 2013, the production was also made available on Netflix.
Shrek the Musical is currently available to watch on Amazon (as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from this link), and Netflix.
Shrek the Musical PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Broadway Theatre
Producer: DreamWorks Theatricals, Neal Street Productions
Book and Lyrics: David Lindsay-Abaire
Music: Jeanine Tesori
Director: Jason Moore, film: Michael John Warren
Musical Director: Tim Weil
Dance arrangements: Matthew Sklar
Vocal arrangements: Jeanine Tesori and Tim Weil
Orchestrations: Danny Troob
Choreography: Josh Prince
Scenic Design: Tim Hatley
Costume Design: Tim Hatley
Lighting Design: Hugh Vanstone
Sound Design: Josh Prince
Hair and Wig Design: Davis Brian-Brown
Make-Up Design: Naomi Donne
Stage Manager: Beverly Jenkins, Peter Lawrence
Conductor: Eric Stern
Cast:
Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek), Sutton Foster (Fiona), Daniel Breaker (Donkey), Christopher Sieber (Lord Farquaad), John Tartaglia (Pinocchio), Cameron Adams (Ensemble), Tessa ALbertson (Teen Fiona - I’m a Believer), Rōzi Baker (Young Fiona - Opening and I’m a Believer), Haven Burton (Sugar Plum Fairy, Gingy, Dragonette), Jennifer Cody (Duloc Doll), Bobby Daye (Sticks, Bishop), Ryan Duncan (Bricks, Skeleton), Sarah Jane Everman (Ugly Duckling, Blind Mouse), Aymee Garcia (Mama Bear, Dragonette), Maya Goldman (Young Shrek, Dwarf), Leah Greenhaus (Young Fiona - I Know It’s Today), Justin Greer (Swing, Duloc Doll), Colleen Hawks (Fairy Godmother, Bluebird), Lisa Ho (Baby Bear, Blind Mouse), Chris Hoch (Big Bad Wolf, Captain of the Guard), Danette Holden (Duloc Doll), Marty Lawson (Guard), Carolyn Ockert-Haythe (Swing, Duloc Doll), Marissa O’Donnell (Teen Fiona - I Know It’s Today), Denny Paschall (Peter Pan, Skeleton), Greg Reuter (Duloc Doll), Noah Rivera (White Rabbit, Skeleton), Heather Jane Rolff (Swing, Duloc Doll), Jennifer Simard (Wicked Witch), Rachel Stern (Mama Ogre, Tweedle Dum, Dragonette), Dennie Stowe (Papa Bear, Thelonius, Skeleton), Jacob Ming Trent (Papa Ogre, Straw), David F.M. Vaughn (Mad Hatter, Skeleton, Pied Piper), Kristen Wyatt (Shoemaker’s Elf, Blind Mouse)
Theatre: Broadway Theatre
Producer: DreamWorks Theatricals, Neal Street Productions
Book and Lyrics: David Lindsay-Abaire
Music: Jeanine Tesori
Director: Jason Moore, film: Michael John Warren
Musical Director: Tim Weil
Dance arrangements: Matthew Sklar
Vocal arrangements: Jeanine Tesori and Tim Weil
Orchestrations: Danny Troob
Choreography: Josh Prince
Scenic Design: Tim Hatley
Costume Design: Tim Hatley
Lighting Design: Hugh Vanstone
Sound Design: Josh Prince
Hair and Wig Design: Davis Brian-Brown
Make-Up Design: Naomi Donne
Stage Manager: Beverly Jenkins, Peter Lawrence
Conductor: Eric Stern
Cast:
Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek), Sutton Foster (Fiona), Daniel Breaker (Donkey), Christopher Sieber (Lord Farquaad), John Tartaglia (Pinocchio), Cameron Adams (Ensemble), Tessa ALbertson (Teen Fiona - I’m a Believer), Rōzi Baker (Young Fiona - Opening and I’m a Believer), Haven Burton (Sugar Plum Fairy, Gingy, Dragonette), Jennifer Cody (Duloc Doll), Bobby Daye (Sticks, Bishop), Ryan Duncan (Bricks, Skeleton), Sarah Jane Everman (Ugly Duckling, Blind Mouse), Aymee Garcia (Mama Bear, Dragonette), Maya Goldman (Young Shrek, Dwarf), Leah Greenhaus (Young Fiona - I Know It’s Today), Justin Greer (Swing, Duloc Doll), Colleen Hawks (Fairy Godmother, Bluebird), Lisa Ho (Baby Bear, Blind Mouse), Chris Hoch (Big Bad Wolf, Captain of the Guard), Danette Holden (Duloc Doll), Marty Lawson (Guard), Carolyn Ockert-Haythe (Swing, Duloc Doll), Marissa O’Donnell (Teen Fiona - I Know It’s Today), Denny Paschall (Peter Pan, Skeleton), Greg Reuter (Duloc Doll), Noah Rivera (White Rabbit, Skeleton), Heather Jane Rolff (Swing, Duloc Doll), Jennifer Simard (Wicked Witch), Rachel Stern (Mama Ogre, Tweedle Dum, Dragonette), Dennie Stowe (Papa Bear, Thelonius, Skeleton), Jacob Ming Trent (Papa Ogre, Straw), David F.M. Vaughn (Mad Hatter, Skeleton, Pied Piper), Kristen Wyatt (Shoemaker’s Elf, Blind Mouse)
Sources
- Matthew Blank, “PHOTO CALL: Original Shrek Stars Christopher Sieber, Sutton Foster, Daniel Breaker, John Tartaglia and More Celebrate Live DVD Release” Playbill (Oct 16, 2013)
- Ben Brantley, “The Belching Green Ogre Has a Song in His Heart,” New York Times (Dec 14, 2008)
- Broadway.com Staff, “West End Run of Shrek the Musical Sets Closing Date,” Broadway.com (August 31, 2012)
- Mark Brown, “Shrek the Musical: will less be more in London's West End?” The Guardian (May 6, 2011)
- Pat Cerasaro, “Official Details For Shrek the Musical DVD/Blu-ray, Out 10/15,” Broadway World (Aug 20, 2013)
- Lisa Fung, “'Shrek the Musical' on Broadway: What did the critics think?,” LA Times (Dec 15, 2008)
- Andrew Gans, “Shrek The Musical Will Arrive on Broadway in Fall 2008,” Playbill (Jan 17, 2008)
- Patrick Healy, “‘Shrek’ to End Broadway Run on Jan. 3,” New York Times (Oct 21, 2009)
- Luke Hickman, “Shrek the Musical,” High-Def Digest (Jan 6, 2014)
- David Rooney, “Review: ‘Shrek the Musical’,” Variety (Dec 14, 2008)
- Georgia Snow, “Shrek the Musical tour goes back on the road in 2017,” The Stage (Feb 23, 2017)
Websites
- Flix List, “Shrek the Musical,” Accessed via: http://www.flixlist.co/titles/70253398
Written by Luisa Lyons (March, 2017)