“I was telling Leslie (Carrara-Rudolph) that I got the part,” he recalls, “And she said ‘Your worlds just collided. The puppeteer who acts has now been hired to act like a puppet. ‘ ”
John Tartaglia and Ginger in Playhouse Disney’s “Johnny and the Sprites.” Copyright 2007 Disney. All Rights Reserved
Ah, but DreamWorks Theatrical didn’t just go after John because they wanted him to play Geppetto’s little wooden boy. No, they wanted this Tony Award nominee as part of the cast of their first Broadway show because DWT was looking to take advantage of all of Tartaglia’s talents
So who’s working the controls inside of that 18-foot tall dragon puppet as it rolls all over the stage, singing “Donkey Pot Pie”? That would be John. And whose voice & facial muscles drive the Magic Mirror’s performance in “Shrek the Musical”? That would be Mr. Tartaglia too.
John Tartaglia as Pinocchio and the cast of “Shrek the Musical” at the Broadway Theatre. Copyright 2008 DreamWorks Theatrical. Photo by Joan Marcus
“It makes me laugh when friends come to see this show and then complain about how little stage time I get,” he laughs. “I’m doing so much stuff in ‘Shrek the Musical’ that I barely get a minute to breath backstage.”
That said, John is really enjoying his stint in “Shrek.” If only because this show was the very first time that this veteran performer got to do the whole out-of-town tryout thing.
John Tartaglia and Stephanie D’Abruzzo in “Avenue Q” at the John Golden Theatre. Photo by Carol Rosegg. Copyright 2003
“ Working on ‘Shrek’ has been a very different experience than doing ‘Avenue Q,’ ” he explained. “I mean, this is a show with castles and bridges across pools of boiling lava. I remembering reading the script and thinking how exactly are we going to do that on stage.”
Well, how DreamWorks Theatrical did that was by assembling a team of top Broadway talents (among them celebrated performers like Sutton Foster, Brian d’Arcy James and Tartaglia as well as great behind-the-scenes folks like veteran costume & scenic designer Tim Hatley) and then sending them far, far away. In this case, Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theater.
Christopher Sieber as Lord Farquaad and Gingy in “Shrek the Musical” at the Broadway Theater. Copyright 2008 DreamWorks Theatrical. Photo by Joan Marcus
“I remember what Jason (Moore, “Shrek the Musical” ‘s director)told us when we arrived in Seattle. ‘We’re here to make a lot of mistakes,’ “ John continued. “And the show did change an awful lot while we were out-of-town. Pinocchio’s part used to be a whole lot bigger, for example. But all of the changes that were made in Seattle did result in a far tighter, much more emotionally satisfying show.”
Mind you, Tartaglia’s had experience with big Broadway shows before. Let’s remember that – back in 2006 – John joined the cast of Disney’s “Beauty & the Beast” and had a celebrated six month run as Lumiere. But “Shrek the Musical” ‘s sheer size & scale just moves things to a whole ‘nother level.
Copyright 2006 Disney. All Rights Reserved
“It’s such a kick to stand on stage for ‘Shrek’ ‘s finale as the confetti rains down and the turntable spins,” Tartaglia enthuses. “To be a part of this huge spectacle that the audience is emotionally invested in.”
But how do you follow up a spectacular like this ? To John’s way of thinking, the smartest way to do is go small. Which is why – late next month – Tartaglia will be doing a single at Feinstein's at Loews Regency.
Photo by Carol Rosegg. Copyright 2003
“I’m using music to try and tell my story,” he explained. “Given what a huge influence Jim Henson had on my career, I’ll be paying tribute to him by singing ‘Bein’ Green.’ And I’ll probably be doing ‘College’ from ‘Avenue Q.’ My goal is a show that’s both touching as well as makes you laugh your ass off.”
This one-night-only concert will be presented at Feinstein’s on March 30th. As for “Shrek the Musical,” Tartaglia plans on standing on stage and letting his “Freak Flag Fly” for as long as DreamWorks Theatrical will have him. While – at the same time – developing new stuff for television. As well as exploring other possible venues for his new one-man-show.
John puppeteering Ernie at Sesame Street’s 35th anniversary celebration
So, yeah. John’s come an awfully long way from his very first gig as a performer. Which was – at the tender age of 14 – to be the youngest puppeteer to ever work on the “Sesame Street” television show.
But then again – given Tartaglia’s role as Pinocchio as well as playing puppeteer for both the Magic Mirror & the fire-breathing dragon in “Shrek the Musical” – maybe it’s really not that far at all.
(L to R) Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek), Daniel Breaker (Donkey) and Sutton Foster (Princess Fiona)in “Shrek the Musical” at the Broadway Theatre. Copyright 2008 DreamWorks Theatrical. Photo by Joan Marcus
For further information on "Shrek the Musical," please click on this link.
Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek) and Daniel Breaker (Donkey) in “Shrek the Musical” at the Broadway Theatre. Copyright 2008 DreamWorks Theatrical. Photo by Joan Marcus.
I'm very impressed with the makeup and costuming for that musical. I'd like to get a look at the dragon puppet!
On another note, I'm really surprised Sesame Workshop let an Avenue Q cast member perform Ernie. =)