Shrek (the musical) to be released commercially or on DVD?

Saw Shrek for the first time last night.

Noticed there was one camera filming in the mezzanine and one in the orchestra. Thought it was for Lincoln Center archives, but was told that in fact, they were testing cameras to do a potential filming of the show for either pay-per-view or even a DVD release.

Has this been officially announced yet? I guess a potential release would make some sense given the commercial success of the animated film.

It's too bad the show wasn't better though. I thought the sets and costumes were nice, but the story seemed to drag at many points. The highlight for me was Chris Seiber's performance as Farquaad. It must be hard performing on one's knees night after night...and he did it so effectively!

That sounds better then when I saw the guy filming Two Cities for Lincoln Center. He didn't know who had him. I saw the camera set up so I assumed it was for Lincoln Center yet when I asked him he just said that he was told by the producers to film. Never said what for.

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I can't imagine they'd film this for commercial release but if some guy told an anonymous message board poster it MUST be true.

Updated On: 9/18/09 at 11:50 AM

Still pissed off about Gypsy.

Am VERY disappointed in the BWW folks. How did this line go by thus far without a joke?

"It must be hard performing on one's knees night after night...and he did it so effectively!"

It's not really a "picking" matter. If the producers want to pay for it then that's their choice.

Why did this not work for Legally Blonde? They were not doing very well, and with the help of the broadcast and the reality show they remained open for another year. Say what you want about the show but hte producers were pretty smart about keeping it open.

They very much could have been filming due to the fact that Rob just started and most shows tape the production when a major new castmember begins, like the Little Mermaid taped it when Heidi and Faith began as Ursula.

Legally Blonde just aired the show on TV and it didn't benefit the Broadway production but the tour is doing well.

Shrek releasing a dvd could be beneficial actually. Buying a dvd is much cheaper and easier for a parent than taking their kid(s) to see the show in NY (or in whatever city when it tours). Plus, of course it would be more accessible to all the people across the country who don't live anywhere near NY. DVD sales could be quite good, I'm not sure if it would be enough to make up for all the losses from running the show, but it could be a good idea.

I don't think releasing Shrek The Musical on DVD would be the best idea since many families probably already have the movie on DVD and probably wouldn't spend more money to buy another DVD of the live version that pretty much follows said movie.

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True, a dvd only costs about $20 more or less, but when you think of HOW MANY dvds they can sell across the nation, it adds up.

Shrek 3 alone made $174,295,778 from dvd sales in the U.S.
http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2007/SHRK3.php


That many people would never go out to see the Broadway show. Any of the Shrek movies, Shrek 4-d, merchandise, whatever will make so much just because it's Shrek. Dreamworks is losing money from the Broadway production, but by selling it on dvd... hey, making a few hundred million dollars from it couldn't hurt them. My point is not about a dvd HELPING the Broadway production. The Broadway production will probably never be profitable and can't continue running much longer, but Dreamworks could make a sh*tload of money from releasing it on dvd (not that they need it, but yeah).

To be honest, I couldn't care less about whether they film this show, I'm just saying. And yes, I too am still angry and sad over the fact that they didn't end up filming Gypsy!

Updated On: 9/18/09 at 03:37 PM

I concur about the LuPone-Gypsy travesty.

I must say that I do feel bad for D'Arcy James' replacement, due to step into the role in November. He will probably never get to do it.

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I've seen Patti in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and she was marvelous.

Please don't forget, Patti will probably be doing GYPSY in London and it may very well be taped there. KISS ME KATE was.

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