Any news on Princess Fiona casting in upcoming Shrek Musical?

[rflpfl2]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:00pm

Has anyone heard anything about who they are casting for Princess Fiona in the upcoming Shrek Musical by Tesori?

I heard they have someone in mind already- who they are not saying. And have also heard that the someone is Kristen Chenowith- which could be complete BS.



Updated On: 7/12/06 at 02:00 PM

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:03pm

Well I've got money on Shuler Hensley being type-cast as Shrek. It's only natural.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:08pm

What is the use of all these musicals being taken from movies? It's very disheartening and unoriginal. Go rent the freaking movie and make up your own songs if you're that desperate to see Shrek.

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:10pm

anyone think Stephanie D'Abruzzo would be a hott as Princess Fiona?

[rflpfl2]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:17pm

Well- it's Jeanine Tesori- so I wonder if they are considering Sutton Foster?

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:21pm

she'd be great too. can't wait to hear Tesori's new music!

[Funny Face]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:37pm

Rewind. They're actually doing this? What stage is it in?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:38pm

I am terrified for this show to arrive. I just picture it looking like TARZAN. And whenever I think of TARZAN, I want to stick my head the the oven.

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:43pm

yeah i reall am thrilled with it either...but it has Tesori and David Lindsay Abaire is doing the book if I remember correctly. That's a step up from Tarzan right?

[rflpfl2]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:45pm

I would be terrified if Jeanine Tesori wasn't composing- especially as she's very hands on in the whole process of the show- and seems to work with directors.

I don't know what stage they are in- but songs have been written- and they already have cast members in mind.
Updated On: 7/12/06 at 02:45 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:46pm

Tesori is hardly a step up from Phil Collins. More like a long-jump championship winning jump.

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:47pm

lol, very true. Is she doing lyrics as well?

[Funny Face]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:48pm

Then I guess my next question is, why?
Why does every popular movie need to have a stage musical equivalent? I'm not a theater snob by any means, but can't we just cool down on this trend for a little while?

[rflpfl2]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:51pm

I don't think so- she doesn't normally write lyrics.

I'm sure she's composing the music and probably doing the vocal arrangements and what not.

I'm sure they'll be like a million different kinds of instruments.
Updated On: 7/12/06 at 02:51 PM

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:54pm

Just take a perfectly good movie and turn it into a ****ty musical.

The recipe for getting your show on Broadway.

[Just_John]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 2:55pm

This is definately going to be on BROADWAY???

[rflpfl2]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 3:11pm

That's the idea.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 3:22pm

Maybe if they have a really good concept / design for Shrek it will work, but I just can't see this guy covered in green with this big ears running around the stage and singing some love ballad. I just think it's going to be campy w/o wanting to be campy.

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 3:26pm

Have you seen the movies? They're camp. Camp w/heart. I believe Jason Moore (Avenue Q) has a good grasp on that style.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 3:46pm

First of all why? Second, if Chenoweth was too old to play Elle, she didn't suddenly become age appropriate for Fiona. Tesori is completely wrong for a light hearted, upbeat story. Just my opinion. But again, WHY?
Updated On: 7/12/06 at 03:46 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 3:49pm

Yeah, I understand they're camp, but there's a difference (to me) between doing a show where they actually make the actor look like Shrek or they go the Saturday Night Live route and make him look almost like Shrek, but on a cheap budget. Is it going to be artsy like The Lion King? I don't know. It just seems like this show is ill-fated from the get-go.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 3:58pm

"than there is a certain someone who played Tracy turnblatt, who looks identical to the "ogre" fiona and I'm not talking about MJW or Jibson."

OMG!!! I am laughing so hard right now!

[ruprecht]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 4:02pm

Me too and only bc the resemblance is uncanny. Al, you are so darn smart, it kills me. And for the record, Shuler Hensley could make any role great but i wouldn't call it "typecasting"!

[Al Dente]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 4:06pm

It is funny and it is very true but I was just "warned" that she practically lives on this site anonymously of course (eye roll here), so I'll edit to save myself the inevitable backlash from her "fans".

[rflpfl2]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 4:10pm

I have faith in Tesori only. Word around town is that she envisions using the environments to create music too. Such as water instruments played in rivers, chimes in trees, etc.

I actually think Sara Ramirez could be funny in this role.