I was fortunate to receive an invitation from the gracious producers of Shrek The Musical, now playing on Broadway in New York City. And what a great night at the theatre it was indeed.
I have been working at Applause Theatre Service in New York City for over 21 years now in theatre ticket sales. Having seen several hundred shows, I know a thing or two about what the theater going public will like with regard to their live entertainment theatre options. Although I am not a critic, you may want to take some good advice and get yourself some reasonably priced tickets to Shrek the Musical, soon to be one of New York's biggest hit shows ever to play on Broadway. Applause sells tickets to all of Broadway but let's be honest, most people don't get to see more than a few shows in their lifetime. So why not get some tickets to a show that should be playing for many years to come.
Shrek The Musical is in previews at the Broadway Theatre in New York. Produced by Dreamworks Theatricals, which was established in 2007 by Dreamworks Animation SKG, Inc. Their goal seems to be to want to produce stage musical productions based on many of its many popular films. Similar to what Disney Theatricals has been able to accomplish on Broadway with The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, 3 currently running Broadway shows. Bill Damaschke, president of Dreamworks Theatricals, is a co-president of productions for Dreamworks Animation SKG and co-producer of Shrek The Musical along with its author William Steig. Mr. Steig was named the "king of cartoons" by Newsweek and can often be found as the long-running contributor to New Yorker Magazine, with more than 1600 drawings and 117 covers to his name. Quite an artistic feat these days for sure.
Shrek The Musical is based on Mr. Steig's fairytale of Shrek's adventures, in the classic William Steig book and" Oscar-winning" movie. Coming along for the journey from the swamp to the Broadway Theatre stage will be Steig's amazing characters. They are Princess Fiona (played by Broadway's own Sutton Foster), Shrek's sidekick "the donkey" (played by Daniel Breaker and most recently seen in Passing Strange on Broadway), Lord Farquaad (played by Christopher Sieber) who received a Tony nomination for Spamalot on Broadway, John Tantaglia playing the role of Pinnohio (who had his Broadway debut in Avenue Q on Broadway and received a Tony nomination) a few years ago. In addition he has also played the role of "Lumiere" in Disney's Beauty and The Beast. The role of Shrek, the beloved swamp-dwelling "OGRE" of all time is brilliantly played by Brian d'Arcy James, a veteran of many past Broadway productions that include The Apple Tree, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Lietenant of Inishmore, Sweet Smell of Success (for which he received Tony and Drama Desk nominations), Titanic, Carousel, Blood Brothers as well as several Off Broadway shows.
Shrek The Musical tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a mission to find Princess Fiona so that he can return her to marry Lord Farquaad, who's only desire is to become the "King of Dulac". Along the way Shrek meets up with The Donkey, who tries to get Shrek, who being an ogre has a very odd at first meeting appearance not to mention in the least his negative outlook on life. The Donkey tries to get Shrek to look at the bright side of life, not an easy feat when you consider that Shrek was sent away to live away from his own parents to live a lonely life on his own. And with no prospects for love in his life.
Shrek and The Donkey journey to find Princess Fiona. Sutton Foster will take your breath away, just as she has many times before over the years in several starring Broadway roles. Most recently Ms. Foster was seen playing the role of Inga in Young Frankenstein, Janet Van De Graaf in The Drowsy Chaperone, Jo in Little Women, and Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie (for which she won the 2002 Tony Award). They then return to Dulac where Shrek hands over Princess Fiona to Lord Farquaad. In return he grants Shrek a "permanent deed" to return to live in his previous swamp home so he can live out his life without people to love.
What happens when Shrek returns is unexpected and uplifting at the same time. When the show begins, one feels sorry for Shrek, a most hapless and unsightly creature. Gut as the show moves along and develops all the characters, letting us inside their heads and hearts, you will begin to feel a great "kinship" to Shrek and his "crew" for sure.
Although I've worked in theatre ticket sales for Broadway for more than 31 years now, I still never know exactly what I can expect when I take my seat in the theatre. I am most pleased to tell you that Shrek The Musical will open in New York City on December 14, 2008 at the Broadway Theatre. And it will open to "excellent reviews" in my opinion. Hands down, this is one of the most creative and original pieces of Broadway Theatre I have ever had the privilege of seeing in my life.
My prediction? Shrek The Musical could easily become this Broadway season's other blockbuster hit show in town, along side of Billy Elliot, London's import that will play to capacity crowds for many years I'm sure.
If you think you might want tickets to see Shrek The Musical or any other Broadway show, you can call upon the local Broadway Ticket Experts at Applause Theatre Service. They love to talk and are waiting for your call today. They can be reached toll free at 1-800-451-9930 or at their local New York City phone line 212-307-7050.
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