There are so many movie-based musicals turning up on Broadway these days that the theater community has actually invented a somewhat derogatory term to describe these high profile productions: movsicals.
And what with the rather tepid respection that “Young Frankenstein” and “The Little Mermaid” received this past season … Well, it’s easy to understand why there isn’t all that much enthusiasm right now for the two new movsicals that are currently on deck: “9 to 5 : The Musical” (Which will actually have its world premiere tonight at LA’s Ahmanson Theater ) and “Shrek the Musical” (Which has been trying out at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre since August 14th and will have its official out-of-town opening tomorrow night).
Which — at least in the case of “Shrek the Musical” — may be a mistake. Based on the extremely positive response that the stage version of this Academy Award-winning Dreamworks Animation production has been receiving from Seattle audiences, this big green ogre could really be a smash once he reaches the Great White Way.
Of course, that may be because “Shrek the Musical” ‘s creative team — director Jason Moore, librettist David Lindsay-Abaire, composer Jeanine Tesori and designer Tim Hatley — did a very smart thing. Which was …
WARNING !! There be spoilers ahead !! If you don’t want to know anything about this new Broadway-bound musical, now would be a really good time to exit the swamp … er … bail out of today’s article.
Still there? Okay. Here goes …
Copyright 2008 DreamWorks Theatrical. All Rights Reserved
… that they backed up the start of their story by about 20 years. As the musical version of this faux fairy tale gets underway, we see Shrek and his parents getting ready to celebrate this cute little ogre’s 7th birthday. As a pint-sized Shrek frisks about, pretending to be a knight, Momma & Poppa Ogre sit him down and — through song — explain …
MOMMA SHREK : Listen, son. You’re growing up so quickly.
Growing up, bigger by the day.
POPPA SHREK: And though we want you here,
The rules are very clear.
MOMMA SHREK: Now you’re seven
POPPA SHREK: Now you’ve seven
TOGETHER: So it’s time … to go away.
… And — with this bit of news — the 7 year-old Shrek (Who now has his back to the audience) sadly slumps his shoulders. And the audience — as one — all goes “Awww,” as the ogre’s parents continue their song.
FATHER SHREK: Your Momma packed a sandwich for your trip.
MOMMA SHREK: Your Poppa packed your boots in case of snow.
TOGETHER: You’re gonna make us proud,
No backing up allowed
MOMMA SHREK: Just keep walking
POPPA SHREK: Just keeping walking
TOGETHER: And you’ll find somewhere to go.
It’s a big bright beautiful world,
With happiness all around,
It’s peaches and cream,
And every dream comes true …
… But not for you.
It’s often been said that you only get one chance to make a first impression. But with this opening number, “Shrek the Musical” manages to do in minutes what the original animated feature struggled for an hour or more to do. Which is give the audience a reason to actually care about the title character. Make Shrek someone that we can emotionally invest in. Which is why — by the end of “Big Bright Beautiful World” (Which you can hear by clicking this link. DreamWorks Theatrical — in a very web-savvy move — decided to post several songs from “Shrek the Musical” ‘s score on YouTube. You can find Fiona’s introductory number, “I Know It’s Today” by clicking here and Donkey’s first tune, “I Could Get Used to This” by clicking here) when the fully-grown version of Shrek (played winningly by Brian D’Arcy James) comes busting out of that outhouse … Everyone inside the 5th Avenue Theatre is already solidly in his corner.
Brian D’Arcy James as the adult Shrek. Photo by Andrew Eccles.
Copyright 2008 DreamWorks Theatricals. All Rights Reserved
More to the point, by giving Shrek this sort of backstory … Well, this plot point now gives the ogre and the long-locked-away princess yet another reason to bond. You see, Shrek and Fiona were both abused & abandoned by their parents. These two’s squabble about who actually had the worst childhood eventually leads to their second act challenge song, “I Think I Got You Beat.”
Speaking of challenges: Given that choreographer Rob Ashford just flew out to Seattle to “assist” with the three or four new numbers that have just been added to this show … Well, that suggests that there’s still a bit of work to be done before “Shrek the Musical” is actually ready for New York audiences. Though — that said — this show’s opening is still scheduled for December 14th at the Broadway Theatre.
And speaking of the Broadway Theatre … This particular playhouse has a unique tie to the Walt Disney Company. You see, back in November of 1928, this then-movie theater was known as the Colony. Which is where “Steamboat Willie” had its world premiere. And then — some twelve years later — the world premiere of “Fantasia” was held at this very same theater.
Which — given the many Disney-related gags that are featured in “Shrek the Musical” — makes staging this show at the Broadway Theatre only seem appropriate. “What sort of gags?,” you ask. Well, there’s at least one witty nod to Julie Taymor’s “The Lion King.” Not to mention an explanation of Lord Farquaad’s parenthood that’s sure to upset “Snow White” fans everywhere.
But as for the rest of “Shrek the Musical” ‘s surprises … I’m afraid that you’re going to have buy a ticket in order to discover those. Which — given the sure-to-be-strong reviews that this show will be receiving tomorrow night once it officially opens in Seattle — now might be a really good time to snag a few seats for “Shrek” ‘s Broadway debut.
So what do you folks think? Does the above description make “Shrek the Musical” sound like the sort of show that you’d really like to check out? Or are you — for the moment — movsicaled out?
Your thoughts?
Advertisement