SHREK - first preview thoughts- Page 3

[jordangirl]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:07pm

Are those Fiona's parents? (Sorry, I've never seen the movie.)

If so, they walk Young Fiona across the stage and Queen Lillian tells her something about the ogre. But that's it.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:23pm

Those are Fiona's parents, but I think you're confused. The people who do that in the opening number are not related at all to Fiona. They're just a random ensemble member playing the mom, and the girl who plays Young Fiona is the girl.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:25pm

I don't think I'm confused. They are listed in the playbill as Queen Lillian and King Harold. As well as other ensemble roles.

[Trish2]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:31pm

Might this be on TKTS today? Just curious.
Updated On: 11/9/08 at 01:31 PM

[jordangirl]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:35pm

They're not doing Sunday shows during previews. M-Sa. Sundays are dark.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:37pm

I mean, look at "Billy Elliot." I'd say the movie wasn't wildly popular, and look what it was turned into.

Actually, the movie was hugely popular and a surprise international hit. Nominated for 3 Oscars (including Best Picture) and 2 Golden Globes (including Best Picture - Drama) and won 2 BAFTAs including Best Picture. Did it gross as much as Shrek? No, but it was musicalized more quickly. I do believe Billy Elliot will be the better show, but not because of the popularity of the source material or because it is somehow more "original" than Shrek. Both have original scores from adapted screenplays that premiered on the screen in the last 8 years.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:41pm

Actually, Billy Elliot was only nominated for screenplay, director, and supporting actress (Julie Walters) at the Oscars. It wasn't nominated for any Golden Globes.

[coolboi952]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:42pm

I was there as well and I enjoyed what I saw but they are no means ready for critics. There is still work to be done in this show in all aspects really. First off I was in the Rear mezz and I had alot of trouble hearing things especially Brian with that accent it was sorta hard to understand him. They need to make the show louder so people in the back can really hear.

There is also timing issues that need to be worked on especially between the three leads.

The dragon i agree needs to be redone.it was very theme parky and I think it could be done in a much creative way. I think that whole first dragon scene needs t be redone and tightened. The song donkey pot pie is Horrible I cant believe that the person who wrote Caroline or change and rabbit hole came up with that.

That brings me to the score. There is some really nice stuff in this show. I really enjoyed the songs Big bright beautiful world (even though my friend after the show made a comment that she thought Raffi had a song just like it). Who I'd Be was also another one and I also loved the way it was staged in the moonlight. I enjoyed Morning Person it was cute and a nice way to get back into the show after intermission. I think I got you beat was cute even with the fart jokes but then again this is shrek. The other ones i enjoyed were I know its today,the ballad of farquaad. Everything else was pretty average.

The cast is there but I just think that there are some timing issues between the three leads need to be worked out.They also seemed to have been lacking some energy that they needed in certain areas.The ensemble and fairy tale characters really had alot of energy and really helped keep the show going. John Tartagila was wonderful but I feel that he is under used and is barely on stage. Christopher sieber was wonderful he really steals the show in all his scenes.

The sets and lighting was amazing and has a lot going on during the show. I would hate to see the call script for this show.

So all in all i felt it was a good first preview. I just feel they need to cut like 15 mins from the show and work on really tightening it up. It could be a really successful show and at least give disney a good run for its money. Best musical its not billy still is in my mind.But I do plan to go back to see the show once it opens to see how much it changes.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 2:05pm

To the poster that seemed SHOCKED that some of the musicians came from other shows: they didn't get transfered against their wills; they changed jobs. Just like actors they get bored and look forward to be a part of something new.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 2:22pm

I just want to note again how bizarre it is that Act I is SO BAD and then Act II is SO GOOD.

They should really look at things to findout why one act works so much better

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 2:31pm

It's simple. Act II has better songs, and Act I is middling.

[thinton]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 2:49pm

Is there anyone who saw "Shrek" last night who also saw it in Seattle? I'd love to know what changes have been made. I'm very sad that "More to the Story" was cut as it was one of my favorite moments of the show. Do you think there's a possibility that it will be put back in before opening? What is the final "Big Bright Beautiful World" reprise like? It looks like the ending was completely rehauled.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 2:56pm

Updated On: 12/1/08 at 02:56 PM

[Liza + Jesus = Patti]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 3:00pm

you CAN go to school and be in a Broadway show.

Remy Zaiken, who was Thea in SPRING AWAKENING, lives in Weston, Connecticut. it's an hour train ride into the city. She commuted almost every day.

Would attend high school in the morning/day and take a train in for the evening shows.

It's not weird.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 3:55pm

:eaj was on last night. I thought she was good.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 4:00pm

What's the first row of Center Orchestra at the Broadway? I've never been there (and) I thiiink I have Row B.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 4:59pm

That's Row 2. I can't say how the center is, but there is not a lot of room between the first row and the stage, so you're close.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 7:05pm

"To the poster that seemed SHOCKED that some of the musicians came from other shows: they didn't get transfered against their wills; they changed jobs. Just like actors they get bored and look forward to be a part of something new."

He wasn't shocked..he just wanted to drop their names and let us all know that he knows them. LOL

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 7:18pm

"you CAN go to school and be in a Broadway show. "

I know you can but it I think it is silly. How would they get any work done? If they have to be in the city almost every night, sometimes for a matinee. When do the do homework, how do they sleep, how do they do anything?

[B3TA07]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 7:42pm

They probably just have private tutors for certain days, and full school on dark days.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 7:56pm

Well if it's an hour train ride everyday, then that's when they study/do homework. I mean, I've ready countless books on train rides, so I'm sure they do some productive things as well. It doesn't seem too hard. Sure, it's not an average lifestyle, but hell, they're in middle school and already have a monthly income.

And, I understand your point about Billy Elliot, but I'm talking about things that are widely successful and mainstream. It's not like they took Billy Elliot and thought "yeah, this is going to be a slam dunk." They took a risk. Billy Elliot isn't (at least at the time) a recognizable name to most people. It is now of course, but it's not in the league of Shrek, Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde, etc.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 8:45pm

I think you mean wasn't.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 8:46pm

I'm anxious to hear WAT's thoughts!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 8:52pm

"To the poster that seemed SHOCKED that some of the musicians came from other shows: they didn't get transfered against their wills; they changed jobs. Just like actors they get bored and look forward to be a part of something new."

He wasn't shocked..he just wanted to drop their names and let us all know that he knows them. LOL

^

I couldn't find a way to express that without sounding like a witch...thanks for doing it for me!!!! Bwhahaha!

[Insider2]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 10:51am

This is all extremely helpful. Thanks to everyone who has reported their thoughts. I'm completely torn, though, on whether to plunk down money for this. Even with a 40% discount, a ticket is $89.50, which is pretty freaking outrageous if you ask me. Having suffered through The Little Mermaid in previews (at full price!), I swore, never again until reviews appear. And speaking of The Little Mermaid, is the audeince of Shrek populated with shrieking children, and does the theatre management let them bring their crackly candy and crunchy popcorn and other noisy treats into the theatre with them? At Mermaid, I had three screaming brats in princess dresses behind me and one on each side, each with loud, slurpy sippy cups and bags of candy. Unfortunately, all of that was much more interesting than anything happening on stage.