Shrek the Musical to debut new dragon on tour

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 8:19pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/SHREK_THE_MUSICAL_National_Tour_Will_Debut_An_All_New_Dragon_20090912

Thoughts? I wonder if this will affect any of the show's songs, such as "Donkey Pot Pie."

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 8:21pm

I think it's because the current dragon isn't tourable.

[scaryclowns2232]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 10:17pm

I think it's because the current dragon sucks.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 10:29pm

I think it's both.

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 10:35pm

Hopefully it won't be a disjointed dragon head walking around on stage now...

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 10:39pm

The dragon sucked so bad. Worst part of the show by far. It was ridiculous. Hopefully they'll bring any improvements over to the Broadway production.
Updated On: 9/12/09 at 10:39 PM

[Parks]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 10:50pm

"I think we've finally gotten it right."

...admitting that the Broadway production's dragon is horrible?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 11:47pm

I saw the show again last night thanks to TDF.

Had the same thought I did when I saw it back in January. Pretty poorly written (especially the second act) but pretty to look at and it features a cast that could put a smile on Ebenezer Scrooge's face.

But the dragon (and the song "Donkey Pot Pie") BLOWS.


Oh, and the theater was about 60-65% full. I was in the rear mezzanine and the entire mezzanine section was at the most 50% full. Updated On: 9/13/09 at 11:47 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 12:15am

I feel really horrible for the dragon and think people shouldn't trash the dragon unless they have been a dragon on Broadway themselves. I have been honored and privilidged to meet the dragon several times at the stage door and the dragon is super nice and really down to earth. If you got to know the dragon and become close friends by stage dooring as I have you would know that dragon is amazing.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 12:17am

I don't think "Shrek" will make it beyond January.

[BrianS]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 1:43am

why did they put ?big fat hit'* with the asterisk and then not have any indication what the asterisk stood for?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 1:48am

I noticed that too and then I felt stupid.

If Shrek does live on on Broadway, why would they not incorporate the changes into the Broadway show?

[TheaterBoy7777]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 2:40am

Well Wicked added changes in later to the Broadway production from other productions if I remember correctly. If Shrek sticks around long enough maybe they will follow suit.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 1:14pm

Oh, lord. How could they possibly do "better"?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 1:42pm

I can't see how they could do better either. Frankly, I think the dragon they currently have on Broadway is probably the best they can come up with. I had no problems with the current dragon, but have to agree that "Donkey Pot Pie" is not a good song. I have no clue how they are going to rework the dragon and if it will affect the score.

How was it when Kecia Lewis-Evans played the dragon in Seattle? What song did they have in place of "Donkey Pot Pie"?

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 1:53pm

Kecia sang Donkey Pot Pie with a chorus of shiney tampons for back up. I know many people hate that song but I love it.

[candydog2]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 2:14pm

If that's what the Dragon looks like on Broadway it looks fine to me. I mean they can't exactly have a full size dragon on stage can they?

As long as it's placed behind a wall I suppose on stage, or behind some set piece so it looks more like the dragon is looking over the top rather than just looking like a decapitated head rolling around, it really looks quite impressive.

Saying that, I've never seen the show and I'm going entirely based on pictures.

I assume the touring version of the dragon would need to be smaller and simpler though, so I can imagine it being some kind of line of costumed actors who perhaps assemble with a "head" in front of them to give the impression of a Dragon, although that may not work too well in a show like Shrek.

[TMedeiros17]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 2:17pm

I'm very curious as to which cities will be getting this tour. I hope it doesn't suck. Worse than it could. Prop wise I mean

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 2:26pm

I too am interested in how the show will be done. Right off the bat the first things to go are the 3 turntables & 5 raising platforms.

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 3:50pm

"As long as it's placed behind a wall I suppose on stage, or behind some set piece so it looks more like the dragon is looking over the top rather than just looking like a decapitated head rolling around, it really looks quite impressive. "


Unfortunately, the decapitated head thing is exactly what it does. It walks around on stage while some ladies wearing scaly-looking costumes walk around too. And then three different scale ladies sing solos in the song, so you don't know who the hell is playing the dragon or where the hell to look.

I'm actually sort of fond of Shrek, but I can't stand the dragon scene. (Or the song. Donkey Pot Pie is my least favorite, after Don't Let Me Go.)

Updated On: 9/13/09 at 03:50 PM

[James885]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 7:34pm

Maybe the new changes for the dragon will include axing Donkey Pot Pie.

[candydog2]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 7:47pm

Maybe it would have been easier to write the dragon out of the story in the first place. I mean it wasn't an essential element in the movie really, is it that important to the show?

Anyway, I have to say again that the puppet head, as decapitated as it may seem, looks pretty impressive in that picture.