Brief Thoughts On SHREK Press Preview 12/12/08

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 11:59pm

David Lindsay-Abaire either needs to stop attempting a career as a librettist and just go back to writing plays, which he was quite good at, or producers of musicals need to stop hiring him to write the books for their big expensive musicals.

Yes, I understand that there is more financial payoff to writing books to musicals than writing plays, but he is bad at it. The book to SHREK is paper thin and his lyrics only make Jeanine Tesori's so-so music sound worse.

The sets for SHREK look like they were taken directly from TARZAN, after they were thrown into the dumpster and sat there rotting for a few months.

The stage at the Broadway is HUGE and it is pretty damn bare most of the time. A musical on this stage needs to have a huge cast in order to make the show look full and worthwhile. SHREK just isn't big enough for it.

John Tartaglia is in two scenes: the first scene of Act I and the last scene of Act II.

Sutton Foster is pretty much wasted. Daniel Breaker is mostly terrific and makes the most he can with what little material and direction he is given.

Brian d'Arcy James has created a full, rich character, and his vocals are incredible.

The Orchestra and Front Mezzanine were each about half full.

I cannot see this show getting even close to positive reviews, and cannot see it lasting through a brutal winter in this awful economic depression in that enormous barn of a theatre.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:03am

Isn't this Abaire's first stab at writing a musical?

I had more of a problem with his book than his lyrics but I really think it has to do with Dreamworks' demand to recreate large chunks of dialogue from the film.

Is Tartaglia no longer coming on stage as part of the Magic Mirror?

[PRFRMR20]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:03am

Though I don't know if I agree or not since I haven't seen the show yet, I just wanted to comment that you wrote a really good review. Short, sweet, simple and to the point. You gave a perfect explanation to understand your thoughts.

I know it is really weird that I am writing this, but after reading such horrible reviews from others, your detailed yet succinct review was a "breath of fresh air."
Updated On: 12/13/08 at 12:03 AM

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:05am

You just don't get it sometimes.


Edit:
"Isn't this Abaire's first stab at writing a musical?"

High Fidelity. Incredibly forgettable.

Updated On: 12/13/08 at 12:05 AM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:09am

BobbyBubby, he wrote the book to HIGH FIDELITY.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:10am

Oh, the voice of the Magic Mirror might be Tartaglia. But he certainly doesn't come on stage. It's just a voice with the projection of the mirror.

[jagfkb]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:27am

Well, I was there too, and from my box seat it seemed to be filled! The audience loved it and that's what truly counts no? It was certainly better than the third preview for sure.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:31am

He came on stage in Seattle. Glad they cut it. It really didn't work and seemed an attempt to give him more stage time.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:32am

The Chuck Wooleryesque host was stupid.

[dramarama2]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:32am

WBAF, you're a meanie-poo.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:34am

I always wondered why a TONY nominated actor would take a part that is basically the ensemble.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:40am

WBAF's review is dead on. I agree with just about everything he said. A truly forgettable show.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:41am

I'm sure it was a favor to Moore. He's great in the part but there's really no chance to expand it for him.

[dramarama2]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:41am

It's shrek. What did you expect?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 1:26am

James is the only saving grace of that show. I'm tempted to buy a ticket just to hear him sing "When Words Fail" again. But the show is a hot mess. Ugly costumes (Donkey), and sets. And that dragon! Ugh! I hope it gets creamed by the critics. They should know they created a mess. Too many hands in the pot!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 1:30am

I would also count Christopher Sieber's brilliant comedic turn a saving grace as well. D'Arcy James is the heart of Shrek, but Christopher Sieber is the comedic backbone of that production.

[James2]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 1:31am

Two questions, Wanna Be A Foster

1. Did you see any specific critics?

2. Since you didn't mention Christopher Sieber, what did you think of him?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 1:31am

Oh good point BobbyBubby! I totally forgot about him! You're right! He was so incredibly funny. Especially at the end of Act II. He pulled his hair behind his ears and said "What?" in shock of Fiona and Shrek. I fell out of my chair. That was worth my ticket price. Well, that and James' voice.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 1:34am

Chris's comedy can be summed up in 8 words.

"And no one's gonna bring me down! Ahhhhahhhaahaaa!!!!"

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 1:37am

That was pretty brilliant too.

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 2:08am

I'm not sure why people are hoping that this gets "creamed by the critics"? I never understood that philosophy.

Yeah...I hope this show gets annihilated and flops SO hard that almost all the initial investment is lost by the producers. I think that would be great for the world of New York theater, especially right now. Because if they lose their money, they are going to be so willing to back future productions of shows. Because it's not like we've had any issues with producers wanting to back out in this climate now? :cough Godspell cough:

I think people should put their inner desires to write a review like Brantley and just stop talking. Really. I perfectly understand a negative review, but the tone given to this is just downright disappointing.

[dramarama2]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 6:11am

I hope this show gets great reviews so all the amateur reviewers look stupid.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 6:20am

Did you see any specific critics?

I didn't. I was in the Front Mezzanine. The critics tend to sit down center Orchestra.

Since you didn't mention Christopher Sieber, what did you think of him?

I thought he was terrific in a pretty small role. Really funny. His performance still didn't make the pain of sitting through this train wreck justifiable.

[bschneid76]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 9:39am

Shrek is far from a train wreck, in my opinion. The music fits with each character and moment of the show. I felt the songs had some form of purpose to move the show from one scene to the next. I didn't feel Sutton was wasted, she gets some great numbers and her work with Brian was great, they had great chemistry. Daniel Breaker stole the show as Donkey and Chris Seiber was funny (even if he wasn't quite evil enough). It was enjoyable entertainment and I liked it a lot more than the original film. Train Wreck = The Pirate Queen, Brooklyn: The Musical...etc. But to each his own, I know there will be folks who will not enjoy the show.

Updated On: 12/13/08 at 09:39 AM

[RacerX]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 10:54am

It's far from a trainwreck in most people's opinion. I in fact loved it as well as the rest of the audience. And the show isn't half full- it's sold out every night. My friend who is an usher said it's been full since the beginning of the holiday season.

And why would anyone want a show to close right now? There's plenty doing that in January. Anyone wanting a Broadway show to close right now obviously doesn't care about theatre or has a major grudge against the industry.

There's critiquing a show and then there's simply being a douche. Don't let your theatrical inadequacies fuel the fire for your bland, negative review.