Shrek the musical not good?

[italianpride888]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 3:17am

I have yet to see Shrek the musical, but my 13 year old cousin was telling me about it and said it was terrible. She was saying how they really scraped from anything they could to produce songs for the show; such as a song about farting I guess?
I understand the nature of the show etc etc, I've seen the movie. But what are people's thoughts on this show? Is it really just an attempt at making money on a dated franchise or is it legit?
Updated On: 7/21/09 at 03:17 AM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 3:31am

Well, the song isn't really about farting -- it just has a farting sequence. But, everything else sounds about right.

[binau]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 3:36am

I've only heard the cast recording, but I strongly disagree that it is just a money making exercise..

That particular song is not "about" farting, though it features 'farting'. It's called "I think I got you beat" and is somewhat like "Anything you can do I can do better", but it's more a "My life has been worse than yours", and of course Shrek/Fiona's relationship builds here. It's been a while since I've seen the original Shrek movie but I'm IIRC there was farting in that too (and the exact quote that is used as dialogue "Better in that out I always say") so I'm not really sure what the problem is.

I was initially very bias against it, thinking "oh my god another 'theme park' musical, terrible" but the Tony performance turned me around, and I listened to the cast recording and enjoy it very much. [Not sure about the whole show itself though]

Jeanine Tesori, who composed the score, who obviously composed THoroughly Modern Millie and Caroline, or Change is a 'real' composer and I think is treating it as a genuine project, not some "I've been commissioned to scrape barrels for some songs and string them together" kind of deal :P.

I suppose after 3 Shrek movies relatively recently it might feel like beating a dead horse. But still.

Updated On: 7/21/09 at 03:36 AM

[Marianne2]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 8:29am

In my opinion, people are making it out to be the worst show on earth. It's cute fluff, that's it. If you are looking for mind-blowing or earth-shattering theatre, this is not the show to see. There were things I didn't like in it, but there were many more things that I did like.

I personally only went to see it because the television performances before and during the Tony awards sold me on it. I also really liked Christopher Sieber from other works. I was pleasantly surprised with what I saw.

I actually dislike the movies. And I think I realized why when I watched the first one over the weekend. I do think the songs made it more tolerable. I'm not exactly sure why, but the movie dragged a bit. I also can stand the cast of the musical, where I couldn't with the movie. Finally, I think it is the animation that really did it for me. It just seemed drab. The Duloc people in the musical were definitely more appealing.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:16am

I'm struggling to think of a family-oriented show since The Lion King that has been given a good reception. Everything gets tarred with the same brush- it's for kids so it must be commercial crap.

I think the family audience is quite legitimate for producers to mould shows to. Having seen Shrek, I'd say it's fault is that that the book is very derivative of the film- but the same applies to The Lion King, actually.

The score has accessible stuff which is barely inferior to Beauty & the Beast's. The design is imaginative and very flexible. None of the characters is as annoying as Zazu or The Morning Report. I'm not sure why The Lion King's flaws get overlooked and Shrek gets slammed when it succeeds at what it set out to do- create a family-friendly, tuneful, light entertainment Broadway show. It's not trying to be Sunday in the Park with George!

And incidentally, accidental flatulence for comic effect can be found in everything from the Marx Brothers to Monty Python, Blackadder and The Merry Widow. Shrek isn't the first to find merriment there. It's not the only joke in the whole show, so why dwell on it as a show-defining flaw?

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:20am

Rent the movie. It's much more entertaining and you'll save $100.

[Soliantu]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:21am

I saw it last week.. I enjoyed it, as everyone else has said.. It's not a show that will leave you with a deep emotional impact, or a score that really moves you, but it's a fun show to see and the score is entertaining in my opinion.. Not my favorite new musical, but still very good. I liked Christopher Sieber's performance in particular

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:34am

It does have a few morsels of entertainment, but I think that those who enjoy it the most might be those who never saw the movie. I found the score mediocre (music AND lyrics) and the better script moments were direct lifts from the screenplay. Chris Siebert is almost worth the price of admission (if your price of admission is a deeply discounted or comp ticket), but any show that engages Sutton Foster in a farting contest is not something I will recall with any fondness.

[chenothegood]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:56am

I saw this show two weeks ago and was throughly entertained! I thought it was funny, cute and entertaining. I went in with pretty low expectations actually after reading what a lot of people on here thought about it but ended up getting a cheap student rush ticket. Its a fun show! Great cast, costumes and set.

Contrary to what TimesSquareRegular said about people who had not seen the movie being the one who would enjoy it more... i own the movie and have seen it several times but still enjoyed the show.

(I do also think that this has to do with my own love and excitment for just being at a show, since the novelty of the whole broadway shows hasnt worn off yet, so maybe that has something to do with it haha)

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:58am

I liked it more than "The Lion King," but that's not really saying much since aside from "Circle of Life," I absolutely hated TLK.

"Shrek" is a case of a great cast working with less than world-class material. I like the first two movies, but for whatever reason, it doesn't translate especially well. Only two of the songs are memorable (although my daughter might argue that) and one ("Donkey Pot Pie") is perhaps the worst in recent musical theatre history.

Botton line, it's harmless, mildly entertaining and if you like the cast, worth seeing at a discount. On the four-star scale, maybe a 2 1/2.

[janice4]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:59am

I've seen the movie, and believe me, the show is way better. I just can't get over the Shrek hate here. I've seen the show four times, now, and I get something new from it each time. Of course it's not the best show ever; but it certainly has some lovely moments; and the score is far above some of the others I seen.
Nine to five being an instance. There is humor for both the young and the not so young. It's a fun way to spend a few hours.

[Soliantu]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 10:09am

I agree with the statement that "Donkey Pot Pie" is possibly the worst song in recent musical theatre history. That song almost made me not see the show to be honest. Bottom line, the show is entertaining, although I agree the farting contest scene was kinda nasty. But I do think that 9 to 5 should be doing better in the box office. I've seen both shows and much prefer 9 to 5 overall.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 10:12am

I love the music, with a few exceptions. In fact, most of my exceptions are songs that Donkey is featured in. Poor Daniel Breaker. He got the shaft as far as well-written songs go.

Other than that, the score is blissful fun. It's very catchy.

[Soliantu]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 1:54pm

"poor Daniel Breaker"

yea.. He got the shaft as far as Costume Design too, Everyone else's costume is great.. but his kinda just looks like a Halloween Costume.. I guess there was little they could do for the character of a Donkey.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 2:00pm

Did I "hate" Shrek? No. Is it the worst thing ever? Not even close. Would I recommend it? Not a chance.

Even my kids weren't impressed. They liked it "ok", but out of the three shows we saw on that trip, it was their least favorite and near the bottom of their "all time" favorite list.
Neither of them had any interest in the CD.

[Soliantu]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 2:01pm

dramamama: I agree basically. Just curious though: What were the other shows you saw on your trip, that they liked better?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 2:07pm

We saw Wicked and Stomp. My daughter is almost 13...so the prime audience for the show, imho. My son, 8, didn't even want to SEE Wicked, but ended up with it as his favorite...but only barely beating out Stomp.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 2:10pm

I think my favorite song from the show is "What's Up, Duloc?" That one I downloaded on iTunes. The rest, I probably won't, except for "Big Bright Beautiful World."

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 2:15pm

My daughter and I are partial to "I Know It's Today."

[kelleymd]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 4:35pm

Watching Shrek was among my least favorite theater experiences ever. Granted, Sutton Foster was out, but I cannot imagine even she would have salvaged the experience. My husband wanted to leave at intermission but I wanted to "tough it out." I would imagine it is only fun if one is taking a young child and watching it through their eyes. Be forewarned; the right and left orchestra seats in the first few rows (particularly 1st and 2nd row)are not just "partial view"; they have totally obstructed views of most of the stage due to the height of the stage floor add-on. I would choose ANY musical currently on Broadway over this one! (OK maybe not Mamma Mia)

[Marianne2]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 4:47pm

I'm going to disagree with part of your critique. I'm 25, and I saw the show the day before my birthday without any kids, and I still enjoyed it. And yeah, the stage is high, but I somehow stuck it out. Strangely, I think I could see better here than at Wicked. Front row there on the extreme right in the partial view, things are over your head, and some of the cast is in the way.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 5:18pm

My feelings were that it was fun, if overproduced, but ultimately forgettable. And, I felt like a lot of the changes from Seattle to Broadway were steps backwards.

[Soliantu]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 5:20pm

Yes, this is one of the few cases where I agree that the front row isn't great to be in. The stage is VERY high particularly because of the set.. Any other show I say go for the front row.. But this show you're better off a little back.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 5:30pm

Shrek the Musical...exactly what it sounds like. You know off the bat whether or not this is for you.

[practically_perfect]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 6:06pm

I saw Shrek the Musical this past weekend and loved it, despite Sutton Foster, John Tartaglia, and Haven Burton being out. It is not a deep or extremely emotional show, but has quite a few catchy tunes and is in general an overall fun night at the theater.