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Shrek The Muscial opening on Broadway
Posted: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 10:26 AM
Category: Theater
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What a treat… I just watched a live performance on the Today Show, of “Shrek The Musical” that opens in New York on Broadway this Sunday, December 14th. I have been hearing good things about the show and lots of excitement about the opening but now that I have seen a sneak peek I cannot wait. The Today show featured a song sung by 3 lovely Fiona’s including the main star, Tony Award winner, Sutton Foster. She was accompanied by 2 younger performers Leah Greenhaus and Marissa O’Donnell as younger Fiona’s. They did awesome and the costumes and sets look amazing. In fact the day before Meredith Vieira went behind the scenes with Brian d’Arcy James who plays Shrek. Besides all the belching and tooting (but hey what do you expect from an ogre) they have created an amazing looking Shrek. He looks just like you would hope he would look. Brian showed Meredith the famous swamp, Fiona’s moving tower and the very cool magic mirror mask.
IT is amazing what actors will do for a good role. The process that Brain d’Arcy James goes through to transform into Shrek and become all green and orgy takes about 1 ½ hours per performance. He also gets brand new faces pieces for each show. Another major character in the show that is back is Lord Farquaad, who is played by another fellow Tony Award nominee, Christopher Sieber. Lord Farquaad is a very small character in size although large as life on stage. However to portray his physical size, Sieber who is 6 – foot -2 does the entire shows on his knees, with only a set of puppet legs in from of him. OUCH!! The actor agrees that there was really no other way and is happy with the outcome of his character. IT is a bit tricky and he hopes he doesn’t fall but you do what you have to do.
Shrek The Musical is a totally new musical with all new and original music. In addition to Shrek, Fiona and Lord Farquuad all the old favorites are back as well. You will see Donkey and Pinocchio and of course the Gingerbread boy. They writers have definitely been able to create a magical theatre experience, filled with a Princess needing to be rescued, foreboding castles, dragons, and the works. This is going to be a huge hit that both children and adults can enjoy together.
