View source for Shrek the Musical

{{Short description|2008 musical by Jeanine Tesori & David Lindsay-Abraire}}
{{About|the stage musical|the series|Shrek (franchise)}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox Musical
| name = Shrek
| subtitle = the Musical
| image = Shrekcovernew.jpg
| caption = Broadway [[Playbill]] cover
| music = [[Jeanine Tesori]]
| lyrics = [[David Lindsay-Abaire]]
| book = David Lindsay-Abaire
| basis = [[DreamWorks Animation]]'s ''[[Shrek (film)|Shrek]]''<br />by [[Ted Elliott (screenwriter)|Ted Elliott]], [[Terry Rossio]], [[Joe Stillman]], and [[Roger S. H. Schulman]]<br />and ''[[Shrek!]]''<br />by [[William Steig]]
| productions = 2008 [[Seattle]]<br />2008 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]<br />2010 US tour<br />2011 [[West End Theatre|West End]]<br />2014 UK tour<br />2023 UK Tour
| premiere_date = {{start date|2008|12|14}}
| premiere_location = [[Broadway Theatre (53rd Street)]], New York City
| image_size = 
}}

'''''Shrek the Musical''''' is a [[musical theatre|musical]] with music by [[Jeanine Tesori]] and book and lyrics by [[David Lindsay-Abaire]]. It is based on the 2001 [[DreamWorks Animation]] film ''[[Shrek]]'', along with elements of its sequels: ''[[Shrek 2]]'', ''[[Shrek Forever After]]'' and [[William Steig]]'s 1990 book ''[[Shrek!]]''. After a trial run in [[Seattle]], the original [[Broadway theatre|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, and a re-vamped [[West End theatre|West End]] production from June 2011 to February 2013.

A high definition filming of the Broadway production, shot by [[RadicalMedia]], was released on [[DVD]], [[Blu-ray]], and digital download on October 15, 2013, in North America and December 2, 2013, in the United Kingdom.<ref name="BWW film" /><ref name="Playbill film" /><ref name="BWW DVD" /> The digital version of the film was made available on [[Netflix]] beginning in December 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://flixlist.co/titles/70253398|title=Shrek the Musical - Is Shrek the Musical on Netflix - FlixList|website=Flixlist.co|access-date=November 20, 2021}}</ref>

==History==
===Development===
Lindsay-Abaire and [[Jason Moore (director)|Jason Moore]] (director) began working on the show in 2002, with Tesori joining the team from 2004.<ref name=TimesMakeover>Gurewitsch, Matthew. [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/theater/12Shre.html?_r=1 "Orchestrating an Ogre's Monster Makeover"], ''The New York Times'', December 11, 2008.</ref> A reading took place on August 10, 2007, with [[Stephen Kramer Glickman]] in the role of [[Shrek (character)|Shrek]], [[Celia Keenan-Bolger]] as [[Princess Fiona]], Robert L. Daye Jr. as [[Donkey (Shrek)|Donkey]] and [[Christopher Sieber]] as Lord Farquaad.<ref>Gans, Andrew.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/110239.html "Keenan-Bolger and Sieber Are Part of Aug. 10 'Shrek' Reading"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206001205/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/110239.html |date=December 6, 2008 }}, Playbill.com, August 10, 2007.</ref>

===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".<ref name="Shrek the Musical">Jacobson, Lynn. [https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117938309.html?categoryid=1265&cs=1 "Shrek the Musical"], ''Variety'', September 11, 2008.</ref> The principal cast included [[Brian d'Arcy James]] as Shrek, [[Sutton Foster]] as Princess Fiona, Sieber as Lord Farquaad, [[Chester Gregory II]] as Donkey,<ref>Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/120408.html "Seattle Goes Green: Shrek the Musical Makes World Premiere Aug. 14"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212222024/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/120408.html |date=December 12, 2008 }}, playbill.com, August 14, 2008.</ref> [[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 theatre|Broadway]] at the [[Broadway Theatre (53rd Street)|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.<ref>Jones, Kenneth. [http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=33354 "Breaker Replaces Gregory and Other Changes Announced for NY Bound ''Shrek''"], playbill.com, September 30, 2008.</ref> 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.<ref name="Shrek the Musical"/> [[Ben Crawford (singer)|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.<ref>Gans, Andrew.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/133387-Shrek_the_Musical_Adds_I%27m_a_Believer_to_Broadway_Score "'Shrek the Musical' Adds "November Rain" to Broadway Score"], playbill.com, September 30, 2009.</ref>

The Broadway production of the show received a total of twelve [[Drama Desk Award]] and eight [[Tony Award]] nominations, including [[Tony Award for Best Musical|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.<ref>Healy, Patrick. [http://theater.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/theater/22shrek.html?_r=0 ‘" 'Shrek' to End Broadway Run on Jan. 3"], ''New York Times'', October 21, 2009.</ref> 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.<ref>Gans, Andrew.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/132543-Shrek_Tour_Will_Launch_in_July_2010_in_Chicago "Shrek Tour Will Launch in July 2010 in Chicago"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908003334/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/132543-Shrek_Tour_Will_Launch_in_July_2010_in_Chicago |date=September 8, 2009 }}, playbill.com, September 4, 2009.</ref><ref>Gans, Andrew.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/141096-Ogre-There-National-Tour-of-Shrek-the-Musical-Kicks-Off-July-13-in-Chicago "Ogre There! National Tour of Shrek the Musical Kicks Off July 13 in Chicago"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716183348/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/141096-Ogre-There-National-Tour-of-Shrek-the-Musical-Kicks-Off-July-13-in-Chicago |date=July 16, 2010 }}, playbill.com, July 13, 2010.</ref> [[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 [[puppeteer]]s 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".<ref>[http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/SHREK_THE_MUSICAL_National_Tour_Will_Debut_An_All_New_Dragon_20090912 "'Shrek the Musical' National tour Will Debut An All New Dragon"], broadwayworld.com, September 12, 2009.</ref> The tour also features a new opening, new songs and improved illusions, from those on Broadway.<ref>[http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Cast_Announced_for_SHREK_Tour_20010101 "Ashford to Co-Direct 'Shrek' Tour; Cast Announced"], broadwayworld.com, May 11, 2010.</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/David-F-M-Vaughn-Joins-SHREK-National-Tour-As-Lord-Farquaad-20100903-|title=David F. M. Vaughn Joins SHREK National Tour As 'Lord Farquaad'|author=|website=BroadwayWorld.com|access-date=May 22, 2019}}</ref> The tour played its final performance at the [[Pantages Theatre (Hollywood)|Pantages Theatre]] in [[Los Angeles]] on July 31, 2011, ahead of a non-equity tour in September.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100402203915/http://www.broadwayla.org/production/show.info.asp?ID=38 Shrek at the Pantages], broadwayla.org, accessed May 10, 2011.</ref>

A second tour of North America, featuring a Non-Equity cast, launched September 9, 2011, at the Capitol Theatre in [[Yakima, Washington]].<ref name="tour">[http://www.shrekthemusicalontour.com/ "Tickets and Tour Schedule, NETworks Presentations"], shrekthemusicalontour.com, accessed September 8, 2011.</ref> [[Merritt David Janes]] appeared as Lord Farquaad.<ref>[http://www.shrekthemusicalontour.com/cast "Cast"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925033418/http://www.shrekthemusicalontour.com/cast |date=September 25, 2011 }}, shrekthemusicalontour.com, accessed September 8, 2011.</ref> 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]],<ref name="tour" /> before playing Asia.

The second non-equity tour began on October 5, 2012, in [[Anchorage, Alaska]], ending on April 7, 2013, in [[Reno, Nevada]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.shrekthemusicalontour.com/cast |title=National tour cast. |access-date=August 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925033418/http://www.shrekthemusicalontour.com/cast |archive-date=September 25, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A third non-equity tour opened on February 24, 2024, in [[Utica, New York]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Exclusive-First-Look-At-Tesoris-Lindsay-Abaires-Reimagined-SHREK-THE-MUSICAL-Tour-20240225|title=Exclusive: First Look At Tesori's & Lindsay-Abaire's Reimagined SHREK THE MUSICAL Tour|author=Blair Ingenthron|website=Broadwayworld.com|access-date=May 10, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tour – Shrek the Musical |url=https://shrekthemusicaltour.com/tour/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> Tesori and Lindsay-Abaire revised some of the material, alongside new direction and choreography by Danny Mefford, shortening the play and taking inspiration from children's theater.<ref>{{Citation |title=Tony Award Winners Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire Discuss All-New Shrek | date=November 28, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBUlo9zuPAk |access-date=November 29, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/jeanine-tesori-and-david-lindsay-abaire-are-reimagining-shrek-for-a-new-generation|title=Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire Are Reimagining Shrek for a New Generation|author=Margaret Hall|website=Playbill.com|access-date=May 10, 2024}}</ref>

===West End production (2011–13)===
A newly revised scaled-down version began performances in the [[West End theatre|West End]] at the [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane|Theatre Royal Drury Lane]], on May 6, 2011.<ref>[http://www.playbill.com/article/shrek-the-musical-begins-performances-at-west-ends-theatre-royal-drury-lane-may-6-com-178887 "'Shrek the Musical' Begins Performances at West End's Theatre Royal, Drury Lane May 6"], Playbill, retrieved August 10, 2014.</ref> [[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.<ref>Bosanquet, Theo.[http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831280481652/Holden+%26+Blackwood+Confirmed+for+London+Shrek.html "Holden & Blackwood Confirmed for London 'Shrek'"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018062713/http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831280481652/Holden+%26+Blackwood+Confirmed+for+London+Shrek.html |date=October 18, 2012 }}, whatsonstage.com, July 30, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/news/au10/shrekthemusical233383668.htm  "Nigel Lindsay and Nigel Harman cast in 'Shrek The Musical'"], londontheatre.co.uk, September 3, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/SHREK_to_Undergo_Changes_for_West_End_New_Characters_Design_20100909 SHREK to Undergo Changes for West End; New Characters & Design], broadwayworld.com.</ref> 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".<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13775177 "Press reviews: 'Shrek the Musical'"], BBC, June 15, 2011.</ref>

The show was nominated for a total of four awards at the 2012 [[Laurence Olivier Awards]], including [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical|Best New Musical]], Best Actor for Lindsay and Supporting Actor for Harman, as well as [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]] for [[Tim Hatley]]. Harman won the award for [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical|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.<ref>[https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/new-cast-for-shrek-118192/ New cast for Shrek] OfficialLondonTheatre.com</ref> [[Carley Stenson]] later took over as Princess Fiona from May 23, 2012.<ref>[http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831331055609/Legally+Blonde%27s+Carley+Stenson+goes+green+as+Shrek%27s+Princess+Fiona.html News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325124207/http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831331055609/Legally+Blonde%27s+Carley+Stenson+goes+green+as+Shrek%27s+Princess+Fiona.html |date=March 25, 2013 }}, whatsonstage.com.</ref>

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.<ref>[http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831346399862/Shrek+closes+on+24+Feb%2C+Charlie+moves+Chocolate+Factory+to+Drury+Lane.html "Shrek closes on 24 Feb, Charlie moves Chocolate Factory to Drury Lane"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325063531/http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831346399862/Shrek+closes+on+24+Feb%2C+Charlie+moves+Chocolate+Factory+to+Drury+Lane.html |date=March 25, 2013 }}, Whatsonstage.com.</ref>

===Brazilian production (2012-2014)===
Its 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abroadwayeaqui.com.br/2013/08/20/conheca-o-elenco-da-temporada-paulistana-de-shrek-o-musical/|title=Conheça o elenco da temporada paulistana de "Shrek - O Musical"|website=Abroadwayeaqui.com.br|date=August 20, 2013|access-date=November 20, 2021}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=August 2021}}

===UK and Ireland tours===
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.<ref>Shenton, Mark. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/182614-Shrek-the-Musical-to-Embark-on-UK-Ireland-National-Tour-Directed-by-Nigel-Harman " 'Shrek the Musical' to Embark on U.K./Ireland National Tour, Directed by Nigel Harman"], playbill.com, September 27, 2013.</ref> A full company announcement was made in February 2014, with Chisnall to be joined by ''[[Legally Blonde (musical)|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.<ref>Neil Cheesman, [http://www.londontheatre1.com/index.php/66976/casting-announced-for-shrek-the-musical-uk-and-ireland-tour/ "Casting Announced for Shrek The Musical UK and Ireland Tour"], londontheatre1.com, February 3, 2014.</ref> 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|The Lowry, Salford]] on February 20, 2016.

The UK and Ireland tour continued at the [[Edinburgh Playhouse]] in December 2017. [[Nigel Harman]] once again directed the tour which ran until January 2019. The full cast was announced in November 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/amelia-lily-shrek-musical-cast_45048.html|title=Amelia Lily joins the UK tour cast of Shrek the Musical|website=Whatsonstage.com|date=November 3, 2017 |access-date=May 22, 2019}}</ref> 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 (character)|Shrek]] and Marcus Ayton as [[Donkey (Shrek)|Donkey]].

A brand new production directed by Sam Holmes and Nick Winston and designed by Phillip Witcomb began a UK and Ireland tour starting at the [[Theatre Royal, Plymouth]] in July 2023, running until May 2024, then transferring to the [[Hammersmith Apollo]] in London in July 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.londonboxoffice.co.uk/news/post/shrek-the-musical-announces-london-run-in-2024|title=SHREK THE MUSICAL will transfer to London for six weeks only|website=Londonboxoffice.co.uk|access-date=November 16, 2023}}</ref> It stars Antony Lawrence as Shrek, [[Joanne Clifton]] as Princess Fiona, [[James Gillan (actor)|James Gillan]] as Lord Faquaad, and Brandon Lee Sears as Donkey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Antony-Lawrence-Joanne-Clifton-James-Gillan-and-Brandon-Lee-Sears-Will-Lead-UK-Tour-of-SHREK-THE-MUSICAL-20230224|title=Antony Lawrence, Joanne Clifton, James Gillan, and Brandon Lee Sears Will Lead UK Tour of SHREK THE MUSICAL|website=Broadwayworld.com|access-date=February 24, 2023}}</ref> [[Todrick Hall]] played Donkey during the show's engagement in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/todrick-hall-to-star-in-shrek-the-musical-in-london|title=Todrick Hall to Star in Shrek the Musical in London|website=Playbill.com|access-date=May 10, 2024}}</ref>

===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, Melbourne|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/broadway-hit-shrek-the-musical-to-play-at-sydneys-lyric-theatre/news-story/8878c2d1314b697c54d5c9acef4cb99d|title=Shrek the Musical to return to Sydney stage|first=Patrick|last=Tadros|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|date=June 17, 2019|access-date=November 20, 2021}}</ref>

===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]] (2011–13), [[Madrid]], [[Spain]] (2011–12), [[Paris]], [[France]] (2012), [[São Paulo]], [[Brazil]] (2012), [[Italy]] (2012), [[Netherlands]] (2012), [[Mexico]], Spain (2014), [[Berlin]], [[Germany]] (2014–15) and [[Argentina]] (2015-16).

==Synopsis of the Broadway production==
===Act I===
Two ogre parents send their seven-year-old son [[Shrek (character)|Shrek]] out of their house and into the world to make his living. They warn him that because of his looks, he will be shunned by the world, and an angry mob will be the last thing he will see before he dies. Some years later, an embittered, grown up Shrek is living contentedly alone in a swamp ("Big, Bright, Beautiful World"). However, his solitude is disrupted when a refugee caravan of [[Fairy tale|fairytale]] creatures show up on his property. They explain of their banishment from the Kingdom of Duloc, by order of the evil [[Lord Farquaad]], who sentenced them into [[penal transportation]] for being freaks, under penalty of death if they ever return ("Story of my Life"). Although hesitant, Shrek decides to travel to see Farquaad and try to regain his swamp, along with getting the Fairytale Creatures their homes back, with much encouragement from [[Pinocchio]] and the gang ("The Goodbye Song"). 

Along the way, Shrek rescues a talkative Donkey from some of Farquaad's guards. In return for rescuing him, and offering his friendship, Donkey insists on tagging along to show Shrek the way to Duloc, to which he reluctantly agrees ("Don't Let Me Go").
 
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Duloc, Farquaad is torturing The Gingerbread Man into revealing the whereabouts of other Fairytale Creatures that are still hiding in his Kingdom so he can have them arrested as well. Just as Gingy was going to reveal what he knows, the Captain of the guards arrives and announces that they have found the [[Magic Mirror (Snow White)|Magic Mirror]]. Farquaad asked the mirror if Duloc was the most perfect kingdom of them all. The mirror told him that he's not truly a king yet, but he can become one if he marries a princess. For this episode of "This Is Your Wife" (a parody of The Dating Game), the mirror introduces three different princesses for Lord Farquaad to choose from: [[Cinderella]], [[Snow White]], and Princess Fiona; at the suggestion from his henchman, Thelonious, Farquaad chooses Princess Fiona, who is currently trapped in a castle surrounded by lava and guarded by a terrible fire-breathing dragon. Accepting this as a task, Farquaad decides to marry her to become king, and rushes out to plan a raffle to see which knight would be worthy enough to embark on a quest to retrieve Fiona before the Mirror can tell him what happens to her at night. The Mirror then shows the audience the story of Fiona's childhood.

A seven-year-old Fiona dreams of the brave knight who, as her storybooks tell her, will one day rescue her from her tower and end her mysterious curse with "True Love's First Kiss". As she grows into a teenager, and then a headstrong woman, she becomes a little bit stir-crazy, but she never loses her faith in her fairytales ("I Know It's Today").

Shrek and Donkey arrive in Duloc where Farquaad expresses his love for his kingdom, accompanied by his cheerful cookie-cut army of Duloc Dancers ("What's Up Duloc?"). They approach Farquaad, with him being impressed by Shrek's size and appearance. Farquaad demands that Shrek must rescue Fiona, and in return, he will give Shrek the deed to his swamp.
 
The two unlikely friends set off to find Fiona, with Shrek becoming increasingly annoyed with 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 Dragon who initially wants to eat him, but then decides to spare him by keeping him for herself after Donkey manages to charm her ("Donkey Pot Pie"/"Forever"). When Shrek finds Fiona, his lack of interest in playing out her desired, romantic rescue scene annoys her, and he drags her off by force ("This is How a Dream Comes True"). The two of them reunite with Donkey, and all three attempt to escape while being chased by the angry Dragon and her [[skeleton]] minions. Shrek traps Dragon and they get to a safe point.

Fiona then insists that Shrek reveal his identity and is shocked that her rescuer is an ogre and not the Prince Charming her stories indicated. Shrek explains that he is merely her champion; instead, she is to marry Farquaad. The trio begin their journey back to Duloc, but Fiona becomes apprehensive as the sun begins to set. She insists that they rest for the night and that she spend the night alone in a nearby cave. Donkey and Shrek remain awake, with Donkey asking Shrek who he would be, if he did not have to be an ogre anymore. As Shrek opens up to Donkey on who he would wish to be, it is revealed that Fiona transforms into an ogress after sunset, as part of her curse, and as she stands apart, alone, and listens, empathizing with Shrek's feelings of being isolated ("Who I'd Be").

===Act II===
The next day, Princess Fiona rises early and sings with a bluebird and dances with a deer (before making the bird explode and throwing the deer off a cliff). She assists the [[Pied Piper of Hamelin|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 trying to one-up each other to outdo the others' backstory, but end up 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.

Back in Duloc, Lord Farquaad was in his bathtub planning his wedding, and he reveals his own sordid heritage after The Magic Mirror insists that Farquaad should invite his father, but Farquaad refuses, explaining how he abandoned him in the woods as a child ("The Ballad of Farquaad").

As Shrek and Fiona's newfound camaraderie grows into love, Donkey insists, with the help of the [[Three Blind Mice]] from his imagination, that Shrek should gather his courage and romantically engage Fiona ("Make a Move"). Shrek, finally beginning to come out of his caustic, protective shell, tries to find the words to explain his feelings to Fiona ("When Words Fail").
 
While Shrek is out finding a flower for Fiona, Donkey discovers that Fiona turns into an ogress at night, and she confesses that she was cursed as a child, which is why she was locked away in the tower. Only a kiss from her true love will return her to her proper form, and she asks Donkey to promise never to tell. Shrek arrives near the end of the conversation and misunderstands Fiona's description of herself as an ugly beast, and thinks she is talking about him. Hurt by her presumed opinion, Shrek storms off.

The next day, transformed back to her human form, Fiona decides to tell Shrek about her curse ("Morning Person (Reprise)"). When she tries to explain, Shrek rebuffs her with his "ugly beast" overhearing, causing Fiona in turn to misunderstand. Then Farquaad arrives to claim Fiona and tells Shrek he has cleared the swamp of the Fairytale Creatures, and now belongs to Shrek again. While not very impressed with Farquaad, Fiona agrees to marry him and insists that they have the wedding before sunset. As Farquaad and Fiona ride back to Duloc, Donkey tries to explain the misunderstanding to Shrek (who is too angry and upset to listen), and Shrek rejects him as well, declaring that he will return to his swamp alone and build a wall to shield himself from the world ("Build a Wall").
 
Meanwhile, the Fairytale Creatures are on their way to a landfill which is to be their new home, since they were forced to relocate from the swamp. After dealing with the fact that Shrek broke his promise to them, however, Gingy rants that Farquaad's treatment of them is intolerable; just because they are freaks does not mean they deserve to be hated, so he rallies most of the other fairytale creatures into staging a [[coup d'état]] against Farquaad's rule. Unfortunately, a bitter Pinocchio (remembering they are not allowed back to Duloc) who doesn't want his friends to get killed, suggests that they should just keep going and wait until everything gets better, all the while wishing to be a real boy. Exasperated by Pinocchio's turndown, Gingy convinces him to join the protest, inspiring him to accept who he is, as all of them have accepted who they are. They gather new confidence and strength in themselves, as they declare that they'll raise their "Freak Flag" high against their tormentors ("Freak Flag"). Now realizing that they have become something more than friends, and have become a family, Pinocchio now leads his gang back to Duloc to overthrow Farquaad once and for all.

Shrek has returned to his once again private swamp, but he misses Fiona. Donkey shows up attempting to seal off his half of the swamp with stone boulders, which Shrek rebuffs. In turn, Donkey angrily berates Shrek for his reclusive and stubborn habits, even to the point of driving off Fiona. An angered Shrek reveals he heard her talking about a hideous creature the night before, and Donkey retorts that they were not talking about him, but of "someone else". When a confused Shrek inquires who it was, Donkey, wanting to keep his promise and still cross with Shrek, refuses to talk. When Shrek apologizes and extends his friendship, Donkey forgives him. The two then go back to Duloc, where Shrek objects to this marriage before Farquaad can kiss Fiona, and Fiona convinces him to let Shrek speak with her. Shrek finally finds the words to express his feelings for Fiona, and he declares his love for her ("Big Bright Beautiful World (Reprise)"). However, his declaration of love is mocked by Farquaad. Caught between love and her desire to break the curse, Fiona tries to escape the event. Just then, the Fairytale Creatures storm into the wedding and protest their banishment. They are also accompanied by [[Seven Dwarfs|Grumpy]], one of the [[Seven Dwarfs]], who reveals that he is Farquaad's father, and he kicked Farquaad out at the age of 28 when he wouldn't move out of the basement, revealing Farquaad is a freak as well. During the scuffle, the sun sets, causing Fiona to turn into an ogress in front of everyone, leading to Shrek to realize that Fiona was referring to herself when she was talking to Donkey. Farquaad, furious and disgusted over the change, orders for Shrek to be [[Hanged, drawn and quartered|drawn and quartered]] along with the Fairytale Creatures and Fiona banished back to her tower. As Farquaad proclaims himself the new King, Shrek whistles for the Dragon, who has now escaped the castle (and is the reason Shrek and Donkey got to the wedding just in time). Dragon then crashes through the window with Donkey and incinerates Farquaad with her fiery breath.

With Farquaad dead, Shrek and Fiona admit their love for each other and share true love's first 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. The two ogres begin a new life together (along with Donkey, Dragon, and the Fairytale Creatures) as everyone celebrates their liberation against Farquaad's rule ("This Is Our Story"). In the end, Shrek and Fiona (in association with Donkey and Dragon) host their post-wedding party ("I'm A Believer").

==Musical numbers==

===Broadway===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
; Act I
* "Overture" – Orchestra
* "Big Bright Beautiful World" – Mama Ogre, Papa Ogre, Shrek
* "Story Of My Life" – Pinocchio, Elf, Peter Pan, Ugly Duckling, Fairy Godmother, Sugar Plum Fairy, Three Pigs, Wicked Witch, Mama Bear, Mad Hatter, Big Bad Wolf, Humpty Dumpty, White Rabbit, Three Bears, Fairytale Creatures
* "Story Of My Life (Tag)" – Elf, Fairy Godmother, Pinocchio, Big Bad Wolf, Fairytale Creatures≠
* "The Goodbye Song" – Elf, Fairytale Creatures≠
* "Don't Let Me Go" – Donkey*
* "Regiment" – Guards≠
* "I Know It's Today" – Young Fiona, Teen Fiona, Fiona
* "What's Up, Duloc?" – Lord Farquaad, Duloc Performers
* "What’s Up, Duloc? (Reprise)" – Lord Farquaad, Duloc Performers≠
* "Travel Song" – Donkey, Shrek
* "Donkey Pot Pie" – Dragon, Donkey, Knights
* "This Is How A Dream Comes True" – Fiona, Dragon
* "Who I'd Be" – Shrek, Fiona, Donkey

{{col-2}}
; Act II
* "Entr’acte" – Orchestra≠
* "Morning Person" – Fiona, Bluebird
* "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
* "When Words Fail" – Shrek
* "Morning Person (Reprise)" – Fiona
* "The Arrival Of Farquaad" – Lord Farquaad
* "Build A Wall" – Shrek
* "Freak Flag" – Gingy, Mama Bear, Pinocchio, Three Pigs, Humpty Dumpty, Papa Bear, Elf, Wicked Witch, Mad Hatter, Big Bad Wolf, Fairytale Creatures
* "Wedding Procession" – Choir≠
* "Big Bright Beautiful World (Reprise)" – Shrek
* "Cathedral Sunset/Transformation" – Crowd≠
* "Beautiful Ain’t Always Pretty" – Shrek≠
* "Finale" (“This is Our Story”) – Fiona, Shrek, Donkey, Mama Bear, Pinocchio, Gingy, Fairytale Creatures
* "[[I'm a Believer]]" – Shrek, Three Pigs, Fiona, Young Fiona, Donkey, Full Company≠ <small>(as of October 2, 2009)</small>
{{col-end}}

≠ Not included on the original Broadway cast recording. "I'm a Believer" and "Forever", however, was recorded later and released as a single as it was not in the show when the cast recording was made.

'''''Changes'''''
*An Overture and Entr'acte were added following the Seattle run, along with the song "Build a Wall" which was originally "More To The Story." This song was cut prior to the West End production opening.
*"This Is Our Story" or "Finale" replaced "I Smell a Happy Ending" following the Seattle run, whilst "What Happens to Love?" and "More To The Story" were cut.
*Beginning with the first North American tour, a new song was written for Dragon, "Forever." This was then performed in all subsequent productions, replacing "Donkey Pot Pie."
*"Don't Let Me Go" was cut from the West End production, although an alternative version reinstated for the UK Tour.

===US tour===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
; Act I
* "Overture" – Orchestra
* "Big Bright Beautiful World" – Mama Ogre, Papa Ogre, Queen Lillian, King Harold, Shrek, 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
* "Story Of My Life (Tag)" – Elf, Ugly Duckling, Pinocchio, Big Bad Wolf, Fairytale Creatures≠
* "The Goodbye Song" – Baby Bear, Fairytale Creatures≠
* "Don't Let Me Go" – Donkey
* "Regiment #1" – 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

{{col-2}}
; Act II
* "Entr'acte" – Orchestra≠
* "Morning Person" – Fiona, Bluebird
* "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, 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" – Crowd≠
* "Beautiful Ain’t Always Pretty" – Shrek≠
* "Finale: This Is Our Story" – Fiona, Shrek, Donkey, Mama Bear, Pinocchio, Gingy, Fairytale Creatures
* "[[I'm a Believer|I'm a Believer (Encore)]]" – Shrek, Three Pigs, Fiona, Young Fiona, Donkey, Dragon, Full Company≠ <small>(as of October 2, 2009)</small>
{{col-end}}

≠ Not included on the original Broadway cast recording. "I'm a Believer" and "Forever", however, was recorded later and released as a single as it was not in the show when the cast recording was made. 

===Lyrical controversy===
In 2016, the Canadian tour of the musical changed a lyric in the song "Story of My Life", after a [[trans man]] who attended a performance at the [[Neptune Theatre (Halifax, Nova Scotia)|Neptune Theatre]] in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]], objected to the presence of a transphobic slur, in a line where the [[Big Bad Wolf]] says that the knights called him "a hot and [[tranny]] mess"; [[Pink News]] reported that the word appears several other times in the play.<ref name = McCormick>{{cite news|url = https://www.thepinknews.com/2016/04/16/shrek-the-musical-under-fire-for-use-of-transphobic-slur/|title = Shrek the Musical under fire for use of transphobic slur|date = April 16, 2016|accessdate = February 6, 2024|last = McCormick|first = Joseph|work = [[Pink News]]}}</ref> A theatre spokeswoman issued an apology and said that subsequent performances would not contain the word.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/shrek-the-musical-drops-dehumanising-transphobic-slur-a6988966.html|title = Shrek: The Musical drops 'dehumanising' transphobic slur|last = Denham|first = Jess|work = [[The Independent]]|date = April 18, 2016|accessdate = February 6, 2024}}</ref> A 2017 [[prompt book]] for a production of ''Shrek Jr.'', a shortened version of the show for children's theater, contains a revised lyric which removes the slur.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.childrensplaytimeproductions.com/SCRIPT_-_Shrek_Jr_-_STAGE_MANAGER_FINAL.pdf|title = CHILDRENS PLAYTIME PRODUCTIONS – SHREK JR.|page = 7|date = May 12, 2017|accessdate = February 6, 2024}}</ref> However, in 2018, when several students in [[Maryland]] went on a field trip to a performance of the full musical at a local high school, they complained that the slur appeared in the song. A subsequent controversy emerged when a parent who also complained about the slur was fired from her job at the Maryland State Education Association, with the organization saying that her statements represented a conflict of interest.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.intomore.com/impact/parent-fired-for-objecting-to-trans-slur-in-school-production-of-shrek/|title = Parent Fired for Objecting to Trans Slur In School Production of 'Shrek'|last = Sosin|first = Kate|date = June 28, 2018|accessdate = February 6, 2024|work = Into More}}</ref>

==Casts==

{| class="wikitable" style="width:10; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan=2 style="width:10%;" | Character
! style="width:10%;" | Seattle
! style="width:10%;" | Broadway
! style="width:10%;" | U.S. Tour
! style="width:10%;" | West End
! style="width:10%;" | UK Tour
|-
!colspan=2|<small>2008</small>
!<small>2010</small>
!<small>2011</small>
!<small>2014</small>
|-
! Shrek
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | [[Brian d'Arcy James]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Eric Petersen]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Nigel Lindsay]]
| style="text-align:center;" | Dean Chisnall
|-
! Princess Fiona
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | [[Sutton Foster]]
| style="text-align:center;" | Haven Burton
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Amanda Holden]] 
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Faye Brookes]]
|-
! Donkey
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Chester Gregory]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Daniel Breaker]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Alan Mingo Jr.]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Richard Blackwood]]
| style="text-align:center;" | Idriss Kargbo
|-
! Lord Farquaad
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | [[Christopher Sieber]]
| style="text-align:center;" | David F.M. Vaughn
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Nigel Harman]]
| style="text-align:center;" | Gerard Carey
|-
! Pinocchio
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | [[John Tartaglia]]
| style="text-align:center;" | Blakely Slaybaugh
| style="text-align:center;" | Jonathan Stewart
| style="text-align:center;" | Will Haswell
|-
! Dragon
| style="text-align:center;" | Kecia Lewis-Evans
| style="text-align:center;" | Haven Burton<br />Aymee Garcia<br />Rachel Stern
| style="text-align:center;" | Carrie Compere
| style="text-align:center;" | Landi Oshinowo
| style="text-align:center;" | Candace Furbert
|-
! Gingy
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Haven Burton
| style="text-align:center;" | Aymee Garcia
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Alice Fearn]]
| style="text-align:center;" | Nikki Bentley
|-
|}

=== Broadway (2008-10) replacements ===
*'''Shrek:''' [[Ben Crawford (singer)|Ben Crawford]], [[Eric Petersen]] (u/s)
*'''Farquaad:''' [[Ben Crawford (singer)|Ben Crawford]] (u/s)
*'''Pinocchio:''' [[Robb Sapp]]

=== West End (2011-13) replacements ===
*'''Shrek:''' Dean Chisnall, [[Bradley Jaden]] (u/s)
*'''Fiona:''' [[Kimberley Walsh]], [[Carley Stenson]]
*'''Farquaad:''' [[Neil McDermott]]

==Instrumentation==
The Orchestra includes one bass guitar player, one trumpeter, one trombonist, two guitar players, one drummer, two violinists, two reed players, one horn player, two keyboard players, a cello player, and a percussion player. The guitar players double on ukulele, mandolins, electric guitars, and acoustic guitars. The trumpeter doubles on a flugelhorn and a piccolo trumpet. The trombonist doubles on tenor and bass trombones. The bass player doubles on the upright bass, the electric bass, and the 5-string bass guitar. The first reed doubles on alto sax, clarinet, flute, and piccolo. The second reed doubles on soprano sax, baritone sax, tenor sax, flute, bass clarinet, and clarinet.

The original Broadway orchestration included an additional trumpet, an additional trombone/tuba, two more violinists, one more cellist, and two more reed players, and an additional acoustic bass player. In this orchestration, the first reed doubles on piccolo, flute, and recorder. The second reed doubles on oboe, English horn, clarinet, and alto sax. The third reed doubles on flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano sax, and tenor sax. The fourth reed doubles on clarinet, bassoon, and baritone sax.

==Recordings==
The original Broadway [[cast recording]] was recorded on January 12, 2009, and was released on March 24, 2009, by Decca Broadway Records.<ref>Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/127577.html "Shrek CD Arrives in Stores March 24"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327050227/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/127577.html |date=March 27, 2009 }}, playbill.com, March 24, 2009.</ref> The album debuted at #1 on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard's]]'' Top Cast Albums chart and #88 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/SHREK-THE-MUSICAL-CD-Debuts-at-1-on-Billboards-Top-Cast-Album-Chart-20090401|title=SHREK THE MUSICAL CD Debuts at #1 on Billboard's 'Top Cast Album' Chart|author=|website=BroadwayWorld.com|access-date=May 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>[https://www.billboard.com/charts/2009-04-11/billboard-200 "The Billboard 200 'Shrek: The Musical'"], billboard.com.</ref> "I'm a Believer" was not featured on the initial recording as it was only added to the show on October 2, 2009. It was later included as part of a Highlighted Cast Recording, released on November 17, 2009. On December 4, 2009, when the [[Grammy Award]] nominees were announced, the cast recording was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album|Best Musical Show Album]].<ref>[http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Dolly_Partons_Score_For_9_TO_5_THE_MUSICAL_Released_714_20090610 BroadwayWorld.com OBCR News], broadwayworld.com June 10, 2009.</ref>

"Donkey Pot Pie" (which is included on the original Broadway cast recording) was cut from future productions, replaced by "Forever." The song became available on iTunes in 2011. It was recorded during a live performance of the national tour in Chicago, and features Carrie Compere (Dragon) and Alan Mingo Jr. (Donkey).

The original London cast recorded a single of "I'm a Believer" for promotional purposes.

An original Spanish-language cast recording featuring the Madrid cast was recorded between August and September 2011, and released in September. The Spanish album includes later added songs "Forever" and "I'm a Believer", as well as different orchestrations to the Broadway recording and the arrangements made for the national tour.

==Reception==
The musical opened to mixed reviews from theatre critics.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 9, 2011 |title=‘Shrek the Musical’ -- the ogre in a new shade of green |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/culture-monster-blog/story/2011-07-09/shrek-the-musical-the-ogre-in-a-new-shade-of-green |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929141438/https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/culture-monster-blog/story/2011-07-09/shrek-the-musical-the-ogre-in-a-new-shade-of-green |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |access-date=April 8, 2025 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |quote=‘Shrek’ opened on Broadway in December 2008 to mixed reviews}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 22, 2009 |title=Broadway's Shrek the Musical to close |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/broadway-s-shrek-the-musical-to-close-1.840332 |access-date=April 8, 2025 |work=[[CBC.ca]] |quote=Shrek opened to mixed reviews in New York}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Healy |first=Patrick |date=February 3, 2009 |title=An Ogre’s Magic Is Flagging in Producing Ticket Sales |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/theater/04shre.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126013626/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/theater/04shre.html |archive-date=November 26, 2022 |access-date=April 8, 2025 |work=[[The New York Times]] |quote=the show opened, to mixed reviews}}</ref> [[Ben Brantley]] wrote in ''[[The New York Times]]'': "'Shrek,' for the record, is not bad....  As the title character, a misanthropic green ogre who learns to love, the talented Mr. James is... encumbered with padding and prosthetics....  As the evil, psychologically maimed Lord Farquaad, the very droll Christopher Sieber is required to walk on his knees, with tiny fake legs dangling before him — an initially funny sight gag that soon drags". He praises Sutton Foster as "an inspired, take-charge musical comedian....  Ms. Foster manages both to make fun of and exult in classical musical-comedy moves while creating a real, full character at the same time."<ref>Brantley, Ben. [http://theater2.nytimes.com/2008/12/15/theater/reviews/15shrek.html?ref=theater "The Belching Green Ogre Has a Song in His Heart"], ''The New York Times'', December 15, 2008.</ref> 

''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' noted that the production had a reported budget of $24 million.  Any "theme-park cutesiness is offset by the mischievous humor in David Lindsay-Abaire's book and lyrics. The production's real achievement, however, is that the busy visuals and gargantuan set-pieces never overwhelm the personalities of the actors or their characters. The ensemble is talented and the four leads, in particular, couldn't be better."<ref>Rooney, David. [https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117939208.html?categoryid=33&cs=1 "Shrek the Musical"], ''Variety'', December 14, 2008.</ref>

The ''[[Associated Press]]'' said that "the folks at [[DreamWorks Animation|DreamWorks]] have done their darndest to make sure we are entertained at ''Shrek the Musical,'' the company's lavish stage adaptation of its hit animated movie. For much of the time, they succeed, thanks to the talent and ingratiating appeal of the show's four principal performers. The show's massive sets and colorful costumes (both courtesy of Tim Hatley) are so visually eye-catching that they often distract from what's going on with the story and score. Composer Jeanine Tesori has written attractive, eclectic, pop-flavored melodies that range from a jaunty 'Travel Song' to a gutsy duet called 'I Got You Beat' for Shrek and Fiona that revels in rude noises."  The review also noted that Lindsay-Abaire's lyrics are often fun and quite witty.<ref>Kuchwara, Michael, [https://web.archive.org/web/20081220124421/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jkW5fj0fBN1gwr6qABvUtrjnPdRQD952PU5G3 "A mean green ogre named Shrek moves to Broadway"], ''Associated Press'', December 14, 2008.</ref>

''[[USA Today]]'' gave the show three and a half stars out of four, writing: "Shrek, which draws from William Steig's book about a lovable ogre and the DreamWorks animated movie that it inspired, is nonetheless a triumph of comic imagination with a heart as big and warm as Santa's. It is the most ingeniously wacky, transcendently tasteless Broadway musical since ''[[The Producers (musical)|The Producers]]'', and more family-friendly than that gag-fest."  The review also noted, however, that "Like other musical adaptations of hit films, Shrek... leans heavily on winking satire.  There are the usual nods to more fully realized shows, from ''[[Gypsy (musical)|Gypsy]]'' to ''[[A Chorus Line]]'', and Jeanine Tesori's blandly ingratiating score doesn't feature any songs you're likely to be humming 20 years from now."<ref>Gardner, Elysa. [https://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/reviews/2008-12-14-shrek-the-musical_N.htm "On Broadway, 'Shrek the Musical' is a gas, gas, gas"], Usatoday.com, December 14, 2008.</ref> 

==Awards and nominations==

===Original Broadway production===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award Ceremony
! width="40%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
! width="5%"| Ref
|-
| rowspan="21" align="center"| 2009
| rowspan="8"| [[Tony Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Tony Award for Best Musical|Best Musical]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="8" align="center"|<ref>Gans, Andrew and Jones, Kenneth. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/128922.html "Nominations for 2009 Tony Awards Announced; Billy Elliot Earns 15 Nominations"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508055902/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/128922.html |date=May 8, 2009 }}, playbill.com, May 5, 2009.</ref>
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical|Best Book of a Musical]]
| [[David Lindsay-Abaire]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]
| [[Jeanine Tesori]] (music) and [[David Lindsay-Abaire]] (lyrics)
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical|Best Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Brian d'Arcy James]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Sutton Foster]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical|Best Featured Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Christopher Sieber]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Orchestrations|Best Orchestrations]]
| [[Danny Troob]] and John Clancy
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]]
| [[Tim Hatley]]
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="12"| [[Drama Desk Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical|Outstanding Musical]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="12" align="center"|<ref>Gans, Andrew.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/129323-Ruined_and_Billy_Elliot_Win_Top_Honors_at_Drama_Desk_Awards Ruined and Billy Elliot Win Top Honors at Drama Desk Awards] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521071807/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/129323-Ruined_and_Billy_Elliot_Win_Top_Honors_at_Drama_Desk_Awards |date=May 21, 2009 }} playbill.com, May 17, 2009.</ref>
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical|Outstanding Book of a Musical]]
| [[David Lindsay-Abaire]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical|Outstanding Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Brian d'Arcy James]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Daniel Breaker]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical|Outstanding Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Sutton Foster]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical|Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Christopher Sieber]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical|Outstanding Director of a Musical]]
| [[Jason Moore (director)|Jason Moore]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music|Outstanding Music]]
| [[Jeanine Tesori]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics|Outstanding Lyrics]]
| [[David Lindsay-Abaire]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations|Outstanding Orchestrations]]
| [[Danny Troob]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design|Outstanding Set Design]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Tim Hatley]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design|Outstanding Costume Design]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Grammy Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album|Best Musical Show Album]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center"|<ref>[http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Aint_Misbehavin_Hair_9_to_5_Shrek_West_Side_Story_Liza_Nominated_for_GRAMMY_Awards_20091202 "Ain't Misbehavin', Hair, 9 to 5, Shrek, West Side Story, Liza Nominated for GRAMMY Awards"], broadwayworld.com.</ref>
|}

===Original London production===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award Ceremony
! width="40%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
! width="5%"| Ref
|-
| rowspan="4" align="center"| 2012
| rowspan="4"| [[Laurence Olivier Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical|Best New Musical]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="4" align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/|title=Broadway News &#124; Broadway Tickets & Videos &#124; Broadway World|website=Broadwayworld.com|access-date=November 20, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Nigel Lindsay]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical|Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical]]
| [[Nigel Harman]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]]
| [[Tim Hatley]]
| {{nom}}
|}

==Home media==
In October 2009, [[Jeffrey Katzenberg]] said that a performance of the Broadway production had been recorded for a potential DVD release. However, due to the national tour and West End productions running considerably longer, the idea was put on-hold.<ref>[http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/10/28/shrek-the-musical-headed-for-dvd-release/ "'Shrek the Musical' headed for DVD release"], Entertainment Weekly, Retrieved July 19, 2013.</ref> On July 19, 2013, following the closure of the national tour and West End productions, [[Amazon.com]] confirmed that the filmed performance would be available for instant viewing on September 17, 2013.<ref name="BWW film">[http://broadwayworld.com/article/SHREK-THE-MUSICAL-Now-Available-For-Pre-Order-20130719 SHREK: THE MUSICAL Now Available For Pre-Order] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212174029/http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/SHREK-THE-MUSICAL-Now-Available-For-Pre-Order-20130719 |date=December 12, 2013 }}, broadwayworld.com. Retrieved July 19, 2013.</ref> It also became available "in HD for playback on [[Kindle Fire HD]], [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Roku]] or other HD compatible devices" beginning October 15, 2013.<ref name="Playbill film">[http://playbill.com/news/article/180314-Filmed-Version-of-Broadways-Shrek-Will-Be-Available-in-October Filmed Version of Broadway's Shrek Will Be Available in October] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211180202/http://playbill.com/news/article/180314-Filmed-Version-of-Broadways-Shrek-Will-Be-Available-in-October |date=December 11, 2013 }} Playbill.com, Retrieved July 20, 2013</ref> The home video release is also available on Netflix Streaming as of January 2014.<ref>[http://channelserf.com/sutton-sparkles-shrek-musical-netflix/ 'Sutton sparkles in Shrek the Musical on Netflix], Channelserf.com</ref> A DVD, Blu-ray, and digital download was also released on that day.<ref name="BWW DVD">[http://broadwayworld.com/article/SHREK-THE-MUSICAL-DVDBlu-Now-Available-For-Pre-Order-20130725 SHREK: THE MUSICAL DVD/Blu Now Available For Pre-Order] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212173723/http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/SHREK-THE-MUSICAL-DVDBlu-Now-Available-For-Pre-Order-20130725 |date=December 12, 2013 }}, Broadway World, Retrieved July 26, 2013.</ref> The performance is an edit of several live performances as well as a performance shot without an audience. The original principal cast appear, as well as various alumni across the show's Broadway run. Also, it keeps the song "Donkey Pot Pie" instead of the replacement, "Forever." It grossed $554,076 in home sales.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shrek the Musical (2013) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Shrek-the-Musical |access-date=January 29, 2023 |website=The Numbers}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.shrekthemusical.co.uk Production site for West End]
*{{ibdb show|477421|title=Shrek the Musical}}
* [http://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000372 ''Shrek the Musical''] at the Music Theatre International website

{{Shrek}}
{{David Lindsay-Abaire}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shrek The Musical}}
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