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Shrek The Musical is a musical with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. It is based on the 2001 DreamWorks film Shrek and William Steig's 1990 book Shrek!. After a tryout in Seattle, the original Broadway production opened in December 2008, and closed after a run of over 12 months in January 2010. It was followed by a tour of the United States which opened in 2010. A re-vamped West End production opened in June 2011. It is now available for performances by high schools and community theatres worldwide.

History[]

Production began in 2002. A reading took place on 10 August 2007, with Stephen Kramer Glickman as Shrek, Celia Keenan-Bolger as Princess Fiona, Christopher Sieber as Lord Farquaad and Robert L. Daye, Jr. as Donkey.

Seattle premiere (2008)[]

The musical premiered in an out-of-town tryout at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle. Previews began August 14, 2008, with an opening night of September 10. The tryout ran through September 21, and played to generally favorable reviews, being cited as one of the few movie-to-stage adaptations "with heart". The principal cast included Brian d'Arcy James as Shrek, Sutton Foster as Princess Fiona, Sieber as Lord Farquaad, Chester Gregory II as Donkey, John Tartaglia as Pinocchio and Kecia Lewis-Evans as the Dragon.

During previews, "I Could Get Used to This" was replaced by "Don't Let Me Go," and "Let Her In" became "Make a Move". Also during previews, a brief reprise of "Who I'd Be" was sung after Shrek overhears Fiona's misleading comment about being with a hideous beast, which led into "Build a Wall". This was cut and "Build a Wall" was placed after "Morning Person (Reprise)". "Build a Wall" was later cut during previews, but re-instated towards the end of the run.

Broadway production (2008-10)[]

After extensive changes were made, the show began previews on Broadway at the Broadway Theatre on November 8, 2008, with the official opening on December 14. The cast included d'Arcy James as Shrek, Foster as Fiona, Sieber as Farquaad and Tartaglia as Pinocchio. Daniel Breaker took over the role of Donkey, as the creative team thought Chester Gregory II did not fit the part. The Dragon was voiced by company members Haven Burton, Aymee Garcia and Rachel Stern, instead of a soloist. Kecia Lewis-Evans, who played Dragon in Seattle, was offered a part in the show's ensemble but declined. Ben Crawford was the standby for Shrek, until he replaced d'Arcy James for the final months of performances.

The song "I'm a Believer", which was originally played as the audience left the theatre, was added to the score on October 2, 2009, and sung by the entire company at the end of the performance.

The Broadway production of the show received a total of twelve Drama Desk Award and eight Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical and acting awards for d'Arcy James, Foster and Sieber. At the Tony Awards, the entire cast performed a section of "Freak Flag" for the opening number medley; later on, d'Arcy James, Foster and Breaker introduced Sieber and company, who performed "What's Up Duloc?".

The Broadway production closed on January 3, 2010, after 441 performances and 37 previews. At the time, it was one of the most expensive musicals to open on Broadway, at an estimated $25 million, and despite generally good reviews, it failed to recoup its initial investment. The show was then extremely modified for the national tour.

US national tours[]

A national tour of North America began previews at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, on July 13, 2010, with opening night on July 25. Rob Ashford is the co-director, as the Broadway creative team revised changes. The production marked the debut of an all-new Dragon, voiced off-stage by a single vocalist, with four puppeteers controlling the movements of the new 25-foot puppet.. On the subject, set designer Tim Hatley stated "The biggest change [will be] the dragon. It will be a different creature from the puppet/soul trio on Broadway [but] I think we've finally gotten it right". The tour also features a new opening, new songs and improved illusions, from those on Broadway.

Many changes made for the tour include a new song sung by the dragon entitled "Forever", replacing "Donkey Pot Pie".

The original touring cast featured Eric Petersen as Shrek, Haven Burton as Princess Fiona, Alan Mingo Jr. as Donkey, and David F.M. Vaughn as Lord Farquaad. Carrie Compere played the Dragon, with Blakely Slaybaugh as Pinocchio. Todd Buonopane was originally cast in the role of Lord Farquaad, but was replaced by Vaughn before opening.  The tour played its final performance at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles on July 31, 2011, ahead of a non-equity tour in September.

A second tour of North America, featuring a Non-Equity cast, launched September 9, 2011, at the Capitol Theatre in Yakima, Washington. Merritt David Janes appeared as Lord Farquaad. The tour officially opened in Portland, Oregon on September 13, 2011. The tour ran in the U.S. through April 29, 2012, with the final show in Springfield, Missouri, before playing Asia.

The second non-equity tour began October 5, 2012, in Anchorage, Alaska, ending on April 7, 2013, in Reno, Nevada.

A third non-equity tour is slated to open on February 24, 2024 in Utica, New York, with a planned closing on August 18 of the same year in Toronto, Ontario. For the first time since the show's first national tour, Tesori and Lindsay-Abaire are teaming up to revise some of the material, alongside brand new direction and choreography by Danny Mefford.

West End production (2011–13)[]

A newly revised scaled-down version began performances in the West End at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, on May 6, 2011. Nigel Lindsay headlined as Shrek, Richard Blackwood as Donkey, Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad and Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona. Landi Oshinowo played the Dragon, with Jonathan Stewart as Pinocchio. The official opening night took place on June 14, 2011. Most critics were positive about the production, and in particular praised Harman's performance, branding him "hysterically funny".

The show was nominated for a total of four awards at the 2012 Laurence Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, Best Actor for Lindsay and Supporting Actor for Harman, as well as Best Costume Design for Tim Hatley. Harman won the award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for his performance as Lord Farquaad. The ensemble cast performed "Freak Flag" at the awards.

Kimberley Walsh, of UK pop group Girls Aloud, took over the role of Princess Fiona on October 5, 2011, after Holden announced her pregnancy. Dean Chisnall and Neil McDermott took over from Lindsay and Harman as Shrek and Lord Farquaad respectively on February 29, 2012. Carley Stenson later took over as Princess Fiona from May 23, 2012.

The London production of the show came to an end after 715 performances, on February 24, 2013. Producers announced their plans to tour Shrek across the UK in 2014.

Non-Equity Tours (2011-13)[]

A second tour of Shrek the Musical. Now after North America and Asia was produced by NETworks and featuring a Non-Equity cast, launched September 9, 2011, at the Capitol Theatre in Yakima, Washington. The tour official opened in Portland, Oregon on September 13. Changes made for the London production, including the new opening, will be incorporated into the tour. The NETworks tour runs through April 29, 2012, with the final show in Springfield, Missouri. Merritt David Janes played as Lord Farquaad. The second non-equity tour began October 5, 2012, in Anchorage, Alaska, ending on April 7, 2013, in Reno, Nevada.

UK and Ireland tours (2014-23)[]

The UK and Ireland tour began at the Grand Theatre, Leeds on July 23, 2014, before touring across the UK and Ireland. Dean Chisnall repeated his West End performance as Shrek, under the direction of Nigel Harman, who originated the role of Lord Farquaad in the West End. A full company announcement was made in February 2014, with Chisnall to be joined by Legally Blonde star Faye Brookes as Princess Fiona, Gerard Carey as Lord Farquaad, Idriss Kargbo as Donkey, Candace Furbert as Dragon and Will Haswell as Pinocchio. A cast change for the tour took place July 8, 2015, with ensemble member Bronté Barbé taking over the role of Princess Fiona from Brookes. The tour concluded at The Lowry, Salford on February 20, 2016.

The UK and Ireland tour continued at the Edinburgh Playhouse in December 2017. Harman once again directed the tour which ran until January 2019. The full cast was announced in November 2017 with The X Factor star Amelia Lily and Call the Midwife actress Laura Main sharing the role of Princess Fiona, alongside Samuel Holmes as Lord Farquaad, Stefan Harri as Shrek and Marcus Ayton as Donkey.

A brand new production directed by Holmes and Nick Winston and designed by Phillip Witcomb will begin a UK and Ireland tour beginning at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth in July 2023, running until April 2024. It will star Antony Lawrence as Shrek, Joanne Clifton as Princess Fiona, James Gillan as Lord Faquaad, and Brandon Lee Sears as Donkey.

Brazilian production (2012-2014)[]

The musicals professional Brazilian production premiered at November 2012 at Teatro João Caetano in Rio de Janeiro. After, it took place in São Paulo in 2013, before touring around the country. The principal characters were played by Diego Luri as Shrek, Sara Sarres (Rio) and Giulia Nadruz (São Paulo) as Princess Fiona, Rodrigo Sant´anna as Donkey, Marcel Octavio (Rio de Janeiro) and Felipe Tavolaro (São Paulo) as Lord Farquaad, Camila Braunna as the Dragon, and Lucas Drummond (Rio) and Marcelo Ferrari (São Paulo) as Pinocchio.

International tour (2016)[]

The International Tour of Abu Dhabi , Dubai , Jakarta, Singapore , Malaysia , Thailand and China is opened in March 2016 and closed in August 21 of the same year. The cast in this version are: Kyle Timson as Shrek, Jared Howelton as Donkey, Lindsay Estelle Dunn as Fiona and Christian Marriner as Lord Farquaad.

Australian tour (2020)[]

The musical had its professional Australian premiere at the Sydney Lyric at the start of the year 2020, before touring Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane. The principal characters, consisting of Shrek, Princess Fiona, Donkey, Lord Farquaad, the Dragon, Pinocchio, and Gingy, are all portrayed by Ben Mingay, Lucy Durack, Nat Jobe, Todd McKenney, Caleb Vines, Marcia Hines, and Manon Gunderson-Briggs respectively at the start of this tour.

International productions[]

There have been various international productions which are all non-replica's of the Broadway or West End staging. Countries staging the musical are: Israel (2010), Gdynia, Poland (2011-12, 2013), Madrid, Spain (2011-12), Paris, France (2012), Sao Paulo, Brazil (2012-13), Italy (2012), Netherlands (2012), Sweden (2013-14), Mexico, Spain (2014), Berlin, Germany (2014-15), Argentina (2015-16), Hungary (2016), Slovakia (2018) and Berlin, Germany (2023).

Characters[]

Synopsis[]

Act I[]

Opening like a storybook, our musical adventure begins with a large ogre named Shrek narrating the story of his seventh birthday. As he narrates, the storybook comes to life, and we see Shrek's parents telling the seven-year old version of himself that it is time for him to venture out into the world on his own. As he does, his parents' warning that everyone will hate him because of his hideous looks proves to be true, and he is forced to live alone, embittered and angry in a swamp. Before our eyes, Shrek grows up, the adult ogre now stepping into the story that he was previously narrating ("Big Bright Beautiful World"). His solitude is interrupted one day, however, when all the Fairytale Creatures of the land show up to his swamp, banished there by Lord Farquaad ("Story of My Life"). Not at all pleased to have his home invaded and encouraged by the Fairytale Creatures, Shrek decides to travel to see Lord Farquaad to try to regain the privacy of his swamp ("The Goodbye Song"). Along the way, Shrek reluctantly rescues a talkative Donkey from Farquaad's guards and, after much begging on the Donkey's part ("Don't Let Me Go"), Shrek reluctantly allows him to tag along.

Meanwhile, in Duloc, we are introduced to Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror who is torturing Gingy the Gingerbread Man into revealing the whereabouts of a princess he wants to marry so that he may finally be a true king. Gingy claims that Princess Fiona is locked in a nearby tower, cut off by lava and a dragon. Lord Farquaad decides to have a festival to draw the name of a Duloc citizen that will have to fetch Princess Fiona for him. Shrek and Donkey arrive in Duloc and make their way to Farquaad's palace. Elsewhere, Farquaad performs a musical number to his people ("What's Up, Duloc?"). Shrek and Donkey arrive. Impressed with the size and appearance of the ogre, Farquaad demands that Shrek undertakes the rescue, and in return, Farquaad promises he will give Shrek back his swamp.

While Shrek and Donkey set off, the lights come up on seven-year old Fiona, stuck in her castle and dreaming that she will one day be rescued by one a prince. As she grows into a teenager, and then a headstrong woman, she becomes a little bit stir-crazy and bi-polar, but she never loses her faith in her fairy tales ("I Know It's Today"). Shrek and Donkey set off to find the princess. The two unlikely friends set off to find Fiona, with Shrek becoming increasingly annoyed with the chatterbox Donkey as time progresses ("Travel Song"). After crossing the rickety old bridge and arriving at the castle, Shrek sets off alone to rescue Fiona while Donkey encounters a ferocious female Dragon ("Forever"). When Shrek finds Fiona, his lack of interest in playing out her desired, romantic rescue scene annoys her, and Shrek must drag her off by force. The two of them reunite with Donkey and all three attempt to escape while being chased by an angry Dragon ("This Is How A Dream Comes True"). Shrek traps the Dragon, and the trio makes it to safety, where Fiona is appalled to find that Shrek is an ogre and not Prince Charming. Shrek explains that he is merely her champion; instead, she is to wed Lord Farquaad. As the sun begins to set, Fiona becomes apprehensive, insisting that they rest and that she spend the night alone. Donkey and Shrek stay awake, and Donkey, delighted at being referred to by Fiona as a "noble steed," asks Shrek who he would be, if he did not have to be an ogre anymore. As Shrek opens up to his new friend for the first time, we see Fiona transformed into an ogress, alone in the moonlight ("Who I'd Be").

Act II[]

The next day, Princess Fiona rises and, excited that it is her wedding day, dances around, singing with a bluebird and dances with a deer (before making the bird explode and throwing the deer off a cliff) and assists a Pied Piper in his rat-charming duties ("Morning Person"). Shrek brings down her mood by attempting to give subtle hints about her groom-to-be, "Men of Farquaad's stature are in short supply", "He's very good at small talk", etc., and mocking her tragic childhood circumstances. The two begin a contest of "one-upmanship", each trying to outdo the other by revealing their respective pasts ("I Think I Got You Beat"). Both admit to being thrown out by their parents; this connection, as well as bonding over a love of disgusting bodily noises, kindles friendship.

Meanwhile, back in Duloc, Lord Farquaad plans his wedding, and he reveals his own sordid heritage ("The Ballad of Farquaad"). As Shrek and Fiona's newfound camaraderie grows into love, Donkey notices and insists, with the help of the three blind mice, that Shrek should gather his courage and romantically engage Fiona ("Make a Move"). Before he can, though, the sun begins to set, and Fiona once again rushes away to bed. Refusing to give up on the thought, Donkey goes to the barn where Fiona has retreated, only to discover that she turns into an ogress at night due to a curse placed on her as a child by a witch. She tells Donkey that only a kiss from her true love will return her to love's true form. Shrek tries to summon the courage to express his feelings ("When Words Fail") and, when he finally goes to tell Fiona, he overhears the end of her conversation with Donkey, completely mistaking her description of herself as an ugly beast for a reference to him. Hurt, he storms off.

The next day, transformed back to her human form, Fiona decides to tell Shrek about her curse ("Morning Person (Reprise)"). When Fiona tries to explain, Shrek rebuffs her. Farquaad and his army approach to claim Fiona, who, now upset herself, not only agrees to the marriage, but also insists that it take place before sunset. As they ride back to Duloc, Donkey tries to explain the misunderstanding to Shrek (who is too angry to listen), and Shrek rejects him as well, declaring that he will return to his swamp alone, deciding to give into the role expected of him, to be a vicious, reclusive monster and vowing to never allow himself to have friends or fall in love again ("Build A Wall").

Elsewhere, while the Fairytale Creatures, evicted from the swamp, head for their new home, they decide they've had it with Farquaad's discriminatory treatment ("Freak Flag"). With a newfound confidence, they decide to return to Duloc and take on Lord Farquaad.

Shrek returns to his again-private swamp, but he misses Fiona. Donkey follows him back, and convinces Shrek of his friendship by forgiving the ogre for his harsh words. Shrek apologizes, and Donkey convinces him that Fiona really cares for the ogre. Both of them hurry back to Duloc. Shrek interrupts the wedding in the nick of time. He finally finds the words to express his feelings, declaring his love to and for Fiona ("Big Bright Beautiful World (Reprise)"). However, his declaration of love is mocked by Lord Farquaad. Caught between love and her desire to break the curse, Fiona tries to escape the event, but the exiled fairy tale beings storm the wedding and protest their banishment. Amidst the protests, the sun sets, turning Fiona back into an ogress in front of everyone. Farquaad, furious and disgusted over the change, orders that Shrek be killed and Fiona banished back to her tower. Farquaad is disgusted but insists the marriage is already binding, claiming he will lock Fiona back in her tower and continue to rule as Duloc's true King. Shrek whistles for the Dragon they have met earlier, and she swoops and destroys Farquaad in one fiery breath. Finally free of Farquaad,, Shrek and Fiona admit their love for one another and share a kiss. Fiona's curse is broken and she takes her true form: an ogress. At first, she is ashamed of her looks, but Shrek declares that she is still beautiful ("Beautiful Ain't Always Pretty"). Shrek and Fiona begin a new life together, as everyone celebrates what makes them special ("This Is Our Story") and they all live happily ever after ("I'm a Believer").

Musical Numbers[]

Act I[]

  • "Overture/Big Bright Beautiful World" – Orchestra with Shrek, Mama Ogre, Papa Ogre, Fiona, Queen Lillian, King Harold, Happy People/Angry Mob
  • "Story of My Life" – Pinocchio, Elf, Peter Pan, Ugly Duckling, Sugar Plum Fairy, Three Pigs, Wicked Witch, Mama Bear, Elf, Big Bad Wolf, Humpty Dumpty, Fairytale Creatures
  • "The Goodbye Song" – Fairytale Creatures
  • "Don't Let Me Go" – Donkey
  • "Regiment" – Guards
  • "Regiment (Reprise)" – Guards
  • "What's Up, Duloc?" – Lord Farquaad, Duloc Performers
  • "What’s Up, Duloc? (Reprise)" – Lord Farquaad, Duloc Performers
  • "I Know It's Today" – Young Fiona, Teen Fiona, Fiona
  • "Travel Song" – Donkey, Shrek
  • "Forever" – Dragon, Donkey, Knights
  • "This is How a Dream Comes True" – Fiona, Dragon
  • "Who I'd Be" – Shrek, Fiona, Donkey

Act II[]

  • "Entr'acte" – Orchestra
  • "Morning Person" – Fiona, Bluebird, Pied Piper, Dancing Rats
  • "I Think I Got You Beat" – Fiona, Shrek
  • "The Ballad of Farquaad" – Lord Farquaad, Guards
  • "Air Guitar Crossover" – Fiona, Shrek
  • "Make a Move" – Donkey, Three Blind Mice
  • "Make a Move (Tag)" – Donkey, Three Blind Mice
  • "When Words Fail" – Shrek
  • "Morning Person (Reprise)" – Fiona
  • "The Arrival of Farquaad" – Lord Farquaad
  • "Build a Wall" – Shrek
  • "Freak Flag" – Gingy/Sugar Plum Fairy, Fairy Godmother, Pinocchio, Three Pigs, Ugly Duckling, Papa Bear, Fairy Godmother, Wicked Witch, Big Bad Wolf, Humpty Dumpty, Mama Bear, Fairytale Creatures
  • "Wedding Procession" – Choir
  • "Big Bright Beautiful World (Reprise)" – Shrek
  • "Cathedral Sunset/Transformation" – Orchestra with Crowd
  • "Beautiful Ain’t Always Pretty" – Shrek
  • "Finale: This Is Our Story" – Fiona, Shrek, Donkey, Pinocchio, Gingy, Fairytale Creatures
  • "Bows/I'm a Believer" – Orchestra with Shrek, Three Pigs, Fiona, Young Fiona, Teen Fiona, Donkey, Dragon, Full Company


Original Seattle Cast[]

Brian D'Arcy James Shrek
Sutton Foster Princess Fiona
Chester Gregory Donkey
Christopher Sieber Lord Farquaad
John Tartaglia Pinocchio
The Magic Mirror
Beggar
Haven Burton

Gingy
Sugar Plum Fairy

Broadway Cast[]

Note: only principal cast members with only their primary role(s) are noted.

Brian D'Arcy James Shrek
Sutton Foster Princess Fiona
Daniel Breaker Donkey
Christopher Sieber Lord Farquaad
John Tartaglia Pinocchio
The Magic Mirror
Dragon Puppeteer
Haven Burton

Gingy
Sugar Plum Fairy


Broadway Cast Replacements

Ben Crawford Shrek
Robb Sapp Pinocchio

US National Tour Cast[]

Eric Petersen Shrek
Haven Burton Princess Fiona
Alan Mingo, Jr. Donkey
David F.M. Vaughn Lord Farquaad
Blakely Slaybaugh Pinocchio
Aymee Garcia Gingy
Mama Bear
Carrie Compere Dragon

West End Cast[]

Nigel Lindsay Shrek
Amanda Holden Princess Fiona
Richard Blackwood Donkey
Nigel Harman Lord Farquaad
Jonathan Stewart Pinocchio
Alice Fearn Gingy
Sugar Plum Fairy
Landi Oshinowo Dragon


West End Cast Replacements

Kimberley Walsh

Carley Stenson

Princess Fiona

Princess Fiona


Soundtrack[]

Shrek the Musical Album

An original cast recording featuring the Broadway show's musical numbers was released on March 24, 2009.

Awards[]

The Broadway production won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Costume Design (Tim Hatley).

Trivia[]

  • The musical was featured in an episode of the podcast "Musicals with Cheese" on November 14, 2019.
  • Many of the Fairy Tale Creatures have been swapped, replaced, resurrected, rotated, and outright scrapped across various productions.

Videos[]

Gallery[]

See also[]

External links[]

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