The Wall Street Journal-20080216-WEEKEND JOURNAL- Entertainment - Culture -- Broadway- Shrek Takes Manhattan
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WEEKEND JOURNAL; Entertainment & Culture -- Broadway: Shrek Takes Manhattan
Full Text (416 words)Shrek sings.
The hit story about a lovable ogre is set to open on Broadway in December as the first stage musical from the newly formed DreamWorks Theatricals. This version is based on the characters from the book "Shrek!" by William Steig, as well as the 2001 movie that grossed $267 million in the U.S. and spawned two sequels (a fourth "Shrek" movie is in the works).
Earlier this week, cast members gave a preview of songs from the musical at Sardi's, the restaurant in Manhattan's theater district. Sutton Foster, who is now starring on Broadway in "Young Frankenstein" and will play Fiona in "Shrek," sang "I Know It's Today," a song about what it was like to grow up imprisoned in a castle. Christopher Sieber, now in "Spamalot" and set to play the villainous Lord Farquaad, sang "Daddy Was a Miner," a tale of how his character came to be so bitter. The roles of Shrek and his sarcastic companion Donkey are still being cast.
Director Sam Mendes first approached DreamWorks with the idea for a "Shrek" musical several years ago, says Bill Damaschke, the new head of DreamWorks Theatricals. Mr. Mendes's company, Neal Street Productions Ltd., is co-producer with DreamWorks on the musical, which will preview in Seattle in late summer.
David Lindsay-Abaire, who won a Pulitzer Prize last year for his play "Rabbit Hole," has written the book and lyrics for the show. He says the musical explores more of the backstory behind the characters. The music is by Jeanine Tesori, who wrote the scores for "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "Caroline, or Change." Jason Moore, who directed the Tony Award-winning puppet musical "Avenue Q," is directing.
DreamWorks is the latest movie company to try to make it in the Broadway arena, where success is definitely not a guarantee. Disney Theatrical Group has produced long-running shows based on its animated movies "The Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast." Its adaptation of the animated hit "Tarzan" wasn't a hit on Broadway, but its current show, "The Little Mermaid," has strong attendance. New Line's "Hairspray," an adaptation of the 1988 John Waters movie, has been a long-running musical, though its adaptation of the 1998 movie, "The Wedding Singer" was a flop.
For "Shrek," Mr. Moore isn't planning elaborate sets and effects to conjure up the book and film's medieval world. The character of Donkey, for example, won't be in a donkey suit, but will walk upright. "In theater, less can be more," Mr. Moore says.
