DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. have announced that SHREK THE MUSICAL will play an exclusive world premiere engagement at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, August 14th to September 21st, prior to opening on Broadway in the Fall of 2008. Preview performances will begin in early November at a theater to be announced.
The new musical, which is based on the story and characters from William Steig's book SHREK!, as well as the DreamWorks Animation film that was the first of the SHREK series, features a book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire (RABBIT HOLE), music by Jeanine Tesori (Olivier Award winner for CAROLINE, OR CHANGE and three-time Tony Award nominee), and is directed by Jason Moore, who staged the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, AVENUE Q.
SHREK THE MUSICAL is DreamWorks Animation's first venture in legitimate theater. The production was initiated by CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg and Sam Mendes (AMERICAN BEAUTY, JARHEAD). The musical is being produced by DreamWorks Theatricals (Bill Damaschke, President) and Neal Street Productions, Ltd (principals Sam Mendes and Caro Newling).
Other members of the SHREK THE MUSICAL creative team include Tony Award-winning set and costume designer Tim Hatley (MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT, PRIVATE LIVES) and three-time Olivier Award-winning lighting designer Hugh Vanstone. The choreography is by newcomer Josh Prince, and Tim Weil (RENT) is serving as music director. Casting and additional members of the creative team will be announced shortly.
