Any SHREK news from last night?- Page 6

[BillyE]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 9:47pm

Thanks everyone for the fine reviews and information. I don't know much about the Shrek movies, never seen any of them, now I guess I should. But I'm interested in anything that Sutton Foster's involved in, as well as several others here.
Does Sutton burp and fart? Aw come on now!
Anyway, I've got my tix, Nov 8. Can't wait!

[Wildcard]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 11:51pm

I saw the production over the weekend and without going into the details (although some spoilers here), I loved it. As it is with previews, the show felt a little long. The 90-100º Seattle heat didn't help either making it unbearable to sit in the warm theater. The show was a visual delight. The sets were magnificent and very versatile. The sliders which appear to look like tree bark is put to good use as Cathedral walls or velvet curtains with the help of lighting. The costumes were grand as well even though they are not that unique, having been based off the designs from the film.

For the most part, the cast was excellent. Brian WAS Shrek. It's as if Mike Myers was there on stage yet with Brian's sweetness and vocal power. However, the focus of the show didn't seem to be on the main character (or his sidekick for that matter). I don't know what it is but he just didn't seem to be at the forefront. I do think that he needs another more lively song in the first act to make the audience care for him even more.

They couldn't have picked a better choice for Fiona than Sutton. Her quirks fit the character perfectly. One of my favorite songs from the show was her trio with her younger selves. As Donkey, Chester was just ok. He did very well when he was singing but during dialogue scenes, he was lacking that Donkey spunk/energy. I think he needs to kick it up a notch to help the role become more of his own and not as a bad Eddie Murphy/Chris Tucker imitation.

The star of the show was Christopher as Farqaad. The costume definitely helps but he also has some of the more vocally powerful songs, not to mention the funnier ones. I am glad to see this character get some proper attention.

The song I could've done without was the Dragon's song. It didn't really advance the plot and just bogged down the end of the first act. A shorter glimpse of the Dragon puppet would've been more effective too (a la giant Kate Monster from Avenue Q). Seeing the puppet lumber around on stage for a whole number made it look menacing. Nevertheless, while I do think the human character wasn't that important to the show, the Dragon's costume was the most creative and magnificent in the show. It was just very avant garde and beautiful.

The theater in-jokes were funny although I think 1 Wicked joke is enough (please lose the Stephen Schwartz mention in the end since the average tourist won't get it) and while the fart jokes were effective in the second act, I could do with less of it in the first.

I agree with earlier comments that Farqaad's death was anti-climactic. It would've worked better with the Dragon puppet than with the human actor. It would've been nice to see Fiona's transformation on stage as well. I'm sure they can find a way to make that happen if they really put their minds to it.

In summary, this show does belong on Broadway. Sure, it's not high-brow entertainment but good entertainment nonetheless. I can't wait to see it again next week.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 12:51am

ok so i'm too lazy to look in all the pages... but is the dulac song included in the musical at all?

[Klem]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 1:03am

It's the only song from the movie that survived the transition.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 1:26am

oh duh... i was reading the musical numbers... is THINGS ARE LOOKING UP IN DULOC the name of the song?? if so... did Jeanine Tesort and the lyrcisit write it?? if not who did...

[dacvingwolf]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 2:00am

wut does farquaad's costume look like

[actormcfamous]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 2:56am

Just got back from tonight's performance, their sixth if I'm not mistaken.

Overall, I did not enjoy the show but I thought it was very saveable with some smart work from (primarily) the creative team in the comiing months before this opens in New York. Like many on this board I found Act Two to be overwhelmingly stronger than Act One. The two acts seemed almost like they were from two different takes on the same story. Act One is much bigger and splashier - it's got big useless production numbers and sensational scenery/costumes/props, and the plot veers more to exposition and almost always follows to movie scenes verbatim. Act Two, however, is more comprised of scenes that seem like extensions and explorations of the film (as a good musical-based-on-a-movie should be) and the show really takes life in those scenes. While the younger audience may find the endless catch-phrases from Shrek to be rip-roaringly funny even for the 50th time, older audience members will not be similarly tickled (or at least I wasnt'). The best moments come in those that complement the film so wonderfully and expand on the world and story it created.

In Act One, we're presented with far too much plot and a general lack of focus. Props to the writers for trying to develop all the characters and for vastly expanding the subplot in which Farquaard surpresses/exiles/censors the fairytale creatures, but in doing so they take away from the main plot of the story. As many before me have said, it takes a good long while for the story to get going - not sure exactly but probably a good hour until Donkey and Shrek arrive at the castle to save Fiona. I didn't feel as though Shrek really emerged as "the lead" of the show until Act Two, not for lack of ability from Brian (who was great - more of that later) but because the plot was so fragmented and the writers were trying to focus on developing too many different things.

THE MUSIC:

The music in Act One seemed (in my opinion) much weaker than that in Act Two. In general, I would classify the music in Act One as either filler (a la Donkey Pot Pie or the Travel Song) or character introduction type pieces (a la I Could Get Used to This, Donkey's intro, and I Know It's Today, Fiona's intro). The music in the middle/end of the show was much stronger - the solo character songs are much more clear in terms of actually serving a dramatic purpose, the songs are better written, and there's some really fun musical scenes. Fiona and Shrek's duet "I Think I Got You Beat" at the top of Act Two was the epitome of a fantastically written musical scene - Tesori and Lindsay-Abaire create a scene between the two that simultaneously reveals quite a bit about both of their characters and advances the plot, with moments of humor and of drama. While watching that song I wished that the rest of the show would be that great. Shrek has two great solos - one closes Act One as Shrek tells Donkey what he dreams he could do and discovers that he cannot("Who I'd Be") and the other comes halfway through Act Two when Shrek falsely believes he has been betrayed by Fiona and Donkey ("Gonna Build a Wall"). Both are stupendously performed by Brian d'Arcy James.

THE CAST:

I was throughly impressed by Brian d'Arcy James, Sutton Foster, and Chris Sieber. I think they all did phenomenal jobs bringing authenticity and their own spin to their roles while still remaining faithful to the film versions of their characters (major props to whoever cast these three because whoever did made great choices finding actors who were genuinely similar enough to the characters while still being different enough to bring something new to the roles). Just watching these three interact on stage is a treat - they are brilliant actors who bring such spontaneity and honesty to what they do onstage.

Less enchanting, though, was Chester Gregory as Donkey. His voice is excellent but I thought he was lacking in the acting department. He also just doesn't have the star quality, charisma, or presence required for the role. Hopefully he'll grow into the role more as the cast settles into the run.

MY FINAL VERDICT:

While I don't think it's New York ready at this point, I think Shrek has a lot of potential given that its team continues to work and rework the show. I applaud them for finding some interesting new moments in the story and developing new elements of it, but really at this point the story needs to be refocused on Shrek (with the fairytale creature oppression as a subplot). In addition, the team needs to find songs and scenes that propel the action of the show rather than allowing them to stagnate unnecessarily and without dramatic reason. Given the intelligence, expertise, and high-caliber of this creative team and cast I think that this is definitely achievable, and I'll be curious to see just how reworked the show is when it opens on Broadway.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 4:16am

Excellent review. I hope you emailed it to the address listed in the program. The creative team needs to hear insightful, intelligently written critiques from some outside perspectives.

[rose_pearl]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 1:47pm

I'm glad to be reading everyone's reviews!

What's the merchandise looking like so far?

[Wildcard]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 2:28pm

For merchandise, they had shirts, ogre ears, bags, magnets, buttons, keychains and a pre-sale for the cast recording.

_______


As far as the "Travel Song" is concerned, it is a filler song but it is a fun song and some of the biggest laughs of the night came from the visual gags in this song.

[rose_pearl]

Posted: 8/22/08 at 10:07am

Anyone from BWW going this weekend?

[DrewT]

Posted: 8/22/08 at 4:00pm

duplicate Updated On: 8/22/08 at 04:00 PM

[DrewT]

Posted: 8/22/08 at 4:00pm

Few questions (and I tried a search and nothing came up)

1) Is there a rush policy for Shrek?
2) I saw the merchandise list Wildcard posted but is there is a window card.

Thanks :)

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 8/22/08 at 4:06pm

I remembered hearing that a turntable was used in the show. Is this true? If so, how did they use it?

[ChecksintheMayo]

Posted: 8/22/08 at 4:15pm

I remembered hearing that a turntable was used in the show. Is this true? If so, how did they use it?

It's upstage center. Used for a lot of walking scenes. It's more like a moving ring, though, as there's a static piece of scenery in the middle.

[umbawumba]

Posted: 8/22/08 at 4:19pm

The "turntable stage" is actually a hydraulic circle--actually 3 circles. It's one of the most mesmerizing aspects of the show. It allows things to magically move down and upstage in a straight line, circle like a treadmill, and portions of the set to rise up from under the stage and spin. It's quite magical and I really don't understand it as you don't actually "see" the lines of the 3 separate circles. In the finale--shrek and fiona are upstage of all the other characters and then in the next moment (without anyone walking), shrek and fiona are back downstage of all the characters. It's a bad comparison, but if you've seen "O" in Las Vegas, the stage--the water pool--itself is an entertaining/puzzling reason enough to go see the show. As are these patented secret hydraulic circle set in Shrek

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/22/08 at 8:34pm

Where are the video clips from Seattle? I think the thread was deleted.

[Elke]

Posted: 8/22/08 at 8:48pm

Here they are...


Video: KING5 Behind the scenes of 'Shrek the Musical'
http://www.king5.com/video/index.html?z=y&nvid=274705&shu=1

Video: Shrek the Musical makes world debut in Seattle
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/ylocalnews;_ylt=A9G_R2286a5IU3sBDzA815B4?ch=4226712&cl=9386642&lang=en;

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 8/22/08 at 9:01pm

I like the clips I've seen so far!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/23/08 at 4:27am

Something about it is weird (it just looks so...fake? Which I know is a stupid critique), but I'd see it. Looks at least entertaining.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/23/08 at 11:38am

Here's a video from a Seattle shows new, featuring Haven Burton as Gingy and a newsman running around the city causing trouble. I thought it was pretty funny, and Haven was delightful.

Sorry if this has already been posted.

Gingy in Seattle Updated On: 8/23/08 at 11:38 AM

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 8/23/08 at 12:05pm

I love Haven! She is gonna be wonderful! I know the girl in the first video, she is playing Young Fiona. She has Blonde hair, standing next to Sutton.

[Wheresmyvoice]

Posted: 8/23/08 at 11:56pm

Does anyone know if the blacony causes a restricted view of the stage for the floor seats underneath it?

[Amharclann]

Posted: 8/24/08 at 8:24am

I think it looks fun....But Sutton definately suits a blonde more than red head

[broadwayyydude]

Posted: 8/24/08 at 12:52pm

I know this was from 4 pages ago, but ahd to post my imput.

"I hate it! Last time I went on it, we were stuck on it for more than an hour and a half!!!! Not fun, especially right before the big drop!"

I got stuck on it 3 times. All 3 times. First we got stuck on the ride towards the dark tunnel for 25 mineutes. Then i went on again later. That time we got stuck uphill. THEN the next time I was on it(I wanted to see if I weas cursing the ride.) we had to stop for 5 mineutes because someone jumped out. The lights in thedark tunnel went on.


Did I curse it? Yes I did!

And I cant wait to see this show.