Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
MamasDoin'Fine
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/28/08
#1Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/18/10 at 9:45pmMichael Ball is in the final stages of negotiations to play the big green one on the West End stage in May of 2011
TheatreFan4
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/12/09
#2Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/18/10 at 9:57pm
He wha'?
I'm a little shocked, but good casting.
#2Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/18/10 at 9:59pmWOW. Unexpected...but I can totally see it!
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#5Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/18/10 at 10:33pmthats amazing!!!
Genius lasts longer than beauty.
Mattbrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/23/05
#6Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/18/10 at 11:15pmWell, I wouldn't mind hearing Elaine sing the songs but really now, Patash :).
Butters, go buy World of Warcraft, install it on your computer, and join the online sensation before we all murder you.
--Cartman: South Park
ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."
#7Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/18/10 at 11:31pmI can't believe that he'd want to do another show that requires so much make-up and padding. At least he won't have to shave his eyebrows for this one.
Chrysanthemum62001
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/04
#8Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/18/10 at 11:33pmWHAT?! NO! I guess he's a glutton for punishment.
"What a mystery this world. One day you love them and the next day you want to kill them a thousand times over." The Masked Bandit in THE FALL
#9Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/19/10 at 12:01amCATSNY darling, so sad to say, but I don't know how much padding they are going to need to add. My Michael used to be quite dreamy back in the day, but I worry that, like me, he eats his feelings.
has anybody seen my sweet boy, White Shirt? He stopped posting on here after people made fun of his lack of professionalism.
#10Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/19/10 at 2:37am
Self-punishment? Hardly.
The British seem to EAT UP the mindless musical theatre entertainments that Broadway is pumping out now (see: Legally Blonde, Sister Act, Grease) and shows that started with American movies (Dirty Dancing, Priscilla, etc.) that this is HARDLY a bad move for Mr. Ball. "Shrek", while at the end of the original modern musical comedy streak set off by "The Producers", seems like nothing new to us, it is a well constructed musical with a halfway decent score that works/worked , and Mr. Ball is a great enough actor singer to elevate the material even more. This show could REALLY work on the West End.
Ironically, we seem to eat up their artistic (yet nonetheless over commercialized) triumphs as well (see: Billy Elliot, Equus, and soon, Love Never Dies) while our artistic triumphs (Ave. Q, Drowsy Chaperone) are either shunned or must undergo significant revisions.
#11Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/19/10 at 8:04am
". . .and shows that started with American movies (Dirty Dancing, Priscilla, etc.)"
????? What Priscilla would that be? You mean the Australian film, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert? Or would that be the American one, Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert?
I was only kidding about Elaine Paige, and doing so because of ages. Actually I was thinking she and Michael Ball were pretty much the same age. I was surprised to find that he's actually 14 years younger than she is. Why does it seem to me he is older than 47?
#12Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/19/10 at 8:26am
Patash- Maybe because he has been working for so long?
inlovewithjerryherman- That was a wonderful post and I agree completely (although Priscilla was Australian, as Patash pointed out).
I think this is great casting. Ball seems to enjoy doing "fun" shows like this (Chitty, Hairspray).
David walked into the valley
With a stone clutched in his hand
He was only a boy
But he knew someone must take a stand
There will always be a valley
Always mountains one must scale
There will always be perilous waters
Which someone must sail
-Into the Fire
Scarlet Pimpernel
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#13Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/19/10 at 9:59am
Playbill Article.
Please put this reworked show on tour... LOL
Playbill Article
#14Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/19/10 at 11:16am
Per Playbill article: "the book and score have been re-written since its Broadway premiere."
Anyone else find it strange that they bothered to film the Broadway cast for the alleged DVD release if the show was to be significantly reworked? Unless a "re-written" book/score is just the addition of I'm a Believer.
beautywickedlover
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
#15Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/19/10 at 11:36amI hope the show will be a success in the West End like "Legally Blonde." They still didn't say if it was going to play at the London Palladium after "Sister Act." I also think Michael Ball will be great in the role.
MamasDoin'Fine
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/28/08
#17Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 3/20/10 at 1:08pmHOLY SMOKES, how was I not the first person to comment on this?? Well, I for one am super-excited, haha. And I can't imagine anyone having more fun playing Shrek. It'll be fun seeing him play a cranky character who DOESN'T grin all the time.
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
beautywickedlover
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
#18Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 4/7/10 at 6:04pm
Summer Strallen is interested in playing Fiona, but as of now her main focus is to transfer over to the Broadway production of "Love Never Dies."
"How long is the contract for Love Never Dies?
A year, but I've got my fingers crossed for the Broadway section!
If Shrek comes over, maybe you can play Fiona!
That's another little thing that might be nice - I would be interested in that!"
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/LOVE_NEVER_DIES_Summer_Strallen_On_Ramin_Sierra_Shrek_And_Those_Little_Women_Rumours_20100407
#19Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 4/7/10 at 6:09pm
"(see: Legally Blonde, Sister Act, Grease) and shows that started with American movies (Dirty Dancing, Priscilla, etc.) "
erm... Grease has been around for decades and was a stage show before it was a movie.
as far as Legally Blonde I would almost agree, if I hadn't seen how enjoyable it is.
it can't be all Phantom, Les Miz, etc. Although I do love the classics which are even older than that as well.
"it's a dirty little war"
MamasDoin'Fine
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/28/08
#20Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 4/7/10 at 6:11pm
Michael Ball has stated that he will put next years production of 'Sweeney Todd' before any production of 'Shrek' in London.
He is due to play Sweeney at the Chichester Festival Theatre for a limited season. This would conflict with the original dates planned for a staging of 'Shrek' in the UK.
philly03
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/07
#21Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 4/7/10 at 10:46pm
"I can't believe that he'd want to do another show that requires so much make-up and padding. At least he won't have to shave his eyebrows for this one."
I agree with Cats...didn't he get sick back in '06 with WOMAN in WHITE with all the fat suit attire? I can understand doing Hairspray, but Shrek...hmmm!
#22Michael Ball is London's 'Shrek'
Posted: 4/8/10 at 4:09am
while our artistic triumphs (Ave. Q, Drowsy Chaperone) are either shunned or must undergo significant revisions
Well not quite - both those two shows were the same as the Broadway productions (Ave Q is now in its fourth year and Drowsy was 'shunned' because it just wasn't that good and the producers bailed out early). The biggest Broadway hits of recents years (including The Producers, Hairspray and Wicked) have all made the leap over the Atlantic intact and been very successful.
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