Shrek? ewwwwww

#1

Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:25pm

so, with the rising popularity of the movies-turning-into-musicals trend, Shrek was bound to make its way to the great white way. but while this production will be star-studded(john tartaglia, sutton foster, john-d'Arcy james, chestor greggory II, kecia lewis-evans), why does this seem like a really bad idea? from a guy who worships sutton foster, i almost lost all respect for her, but then i listened to millie, little women, and young frankenstein, so i forgave her. i am highly skeptic as to the success of the show. any other thoughts?

#2

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:29pm

Why does anyone assume that a movie made into a musical is going to turn out horrible?

Give it a chance.

---

"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards

#3

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:29pm

Yeah, I'm entirely not fond of the idea. I won't be seeing it.

But, it will bring kids to the theatre and sell tickets, for sure. Maybe bringing kids to the theatre is a good thing. When I first saw a musical, I was in awe and it helped my love for the theatre grow as I grew...

---

"As we all should probably have learned by now, to be a Stephen Sondheim fan is to have one's heart broken at regular intervals" - Frank Rich

Dearest, how can this be so? You were dead, you know. - Candide

Oh my god, this show has everything! Half naked guys and girl on girl action! - [title of show]

(My avatar? Why, yes! That is Laura Benanti making out with a chick!)

#4

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:31pm

i don't really worry, with Tesori composing.

and yes, bringing kids to the theatre to see GOOD work is muy importante.

#5

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:33pm

Why do you ask for any other thoughts when it is clear your own mind is made up already?

---

Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.

#6

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:33pm

I agree.

And with Sutton singing Tesori's music, how can you go wrong?

---

"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards

#7

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:34pm

Bringing new audiences to live theatre is always important! Childrens seeing shows today are the ticketbuyers and subscribers of tomorrow.

And yes...let's give the show a chance!

#8

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:36pm

"Childrens"? Really?

---

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

Updated On: 4/6/08 at 02:36 PM

#9

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:37pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 02:37 PM

#10

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:37pm

It bugs me when people say that this musical was BOUND to happen. I would never have put it on my list of feasible possibilities until the initial announcement.

#11

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:39pm

Who is John d'Arcy James??? And Chestor Greggory II? Learn to get your facts right before you criticize something that hasn't even opened on Broadway yet.

---

"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

#12

this ain't gonna be LITTLE MERMAID.

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:43pm

just for those in doubt... this ain't a little Disney musical.

I've sat in on the readings and there's a really subtle dark tone there. it's very intriguing.

the music is NOT like some of the fluff that Menken added to a show like "TLM".

Tesori really created some depth in the score. still needs work, in my opinion, but this show will grab the interest of everyone. not only children.

It is fun to think of what "could have been" if O'Keef and the wife had been the ones to write the material. they worked on a similar draft but Dreamworks chose Tesori's version.

O'Keef and Nell wrote this one song for the Shrek character called "Howl" and it was just SO haunting and amazing. an absolutely eerie song. sadly, there are no recordings available.

#13

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:43pm

I am SO sorry that I had a typo in my post.
I am a bad person.
You should make fun of me.

#14

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:48pm

I too was a bit hesitant about this production. And I'm not really against Movies making it to broadway. In some cases I really feel like the concept re-imagined familiarity can really work in the theatre. But I was like Shrek? Really Shrek? Then on the other hand, the credentials of the creative team are amazing and thats what is pulling me to this show. The moment I herd Tesori was composing the score I knew this show was going to have some worth to it. Tesori doesn't do crap. Seriously, that woman can make the most foolish lyrics sound like singable magic. Caroline or Change, anyone? Violet, anyone? Yeah, she knows what she's doing. And I've worked with Choreographer Josh Prince. He rocks my socks off. He's so innovative, fresh, and impulsive that I know he's going to deliver something cool to watch. So I guess at first I thought ewww... but please believe that I'm buying a ticket for opening weekend.

---

Going to a musical late in its run is like going to a prostitute late in her shift.

#15

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 2:48pm

"Tesori really created some depth in the score."

:) I love her. Glad she's the one doing this play, for sure.

---

"As we all should probably have learned by now, to be a Stephen Sondheim fan is to have one's heart broken at regular intervals" - Frank Rich

Dearest, how can this be so? You were dead, you know. - Candide

Oh my god, this show has everything! Half naked guys and girl on girl action! - [title of show]

(My avatar? Why, yes! That is Laura Benanti making out with a chick!)

#16

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 3:14pm

"O'Keefe and Nell wrote this one song for the Shrek character called "Howl" and it was just SO haunting and amazing. an absolutely eerie song. sadly, there are no recordings available."

Actually, both "Howl at the Moon" and "Fire Hot Lady" were performed last fall in O'Keefe's concert at Joe's Pub. Videos of both performances are readily available on YouTube.

---

-Benjamin
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/

#17

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 3:18pm

Smaxie, the reason i asked for more thoughts is because i wanted to see from the other end of the spectrum. thanks for making me seem like a thick headed bigot.

LePetiteFromage, thanks for your condescending tone. i really appreciate it.

millie, chester gregory II was terk in tarzan. i did say the wrong name earlier, i meant brian d'arcy james. i'm sorry for my typos when it comes to pronouns. let me make my way to the guillotine.

to the rest of you, i find the more i read your opinions, the more i am swayed. all your points are well made. maybe i will buy a ticket now.

#18

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 3:19pm

I'm only against this one because I never cared for Shrek anyway. I just don't get why everyone loves the movies. I got bored after like 15 minutes into the first. And the second one only redeemed itself with Puss in Boots. I hate hate hate the Gingerbread guy and Pinocchio. They were sooooo annoying. But if the show works, than why not? I just won't see it as it probably won't hold my interest.

---

"I don't want the pretty lights to come and get me."-Homecoming 2005 "You can't pray away the gay."-Callie Torres on Grey's Anatomy. Ignored Users: suestorm, N2N Nate., Owen22, master bates

#19

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 3:26pm

I just looked up 'Howl at the Moon' on youtube, not bad. It's a mediocre song, made better by the talent of the guy singing it(with whom I am not familiar...) in my opinion.

---

"As we all should probably have learned by now, to be a Stephen Sondheim fan is to have one's heart broken at regular intervals" - Frank Rich

Dearest, how can this be so? You were dead, you know. - Candide

Oh my god, this show has everything! Half naked guys and girl on girl action! - [title of show]

(My avatar? Why, yes! That is Laura Benanti making out with a chick!)

#20

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 3:27pm

i'll have to watch it.

#21

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 3:39pm

>Smaxie, the reason i asked for more thoughts is because i wanted to see from the other end of the spectrum. thanks for making me seem like a thick headed bigot.<

No thanks needed to me. You did it to yourself. Clearly, with a thread title like "Shrek? ewwwwww," your intent was to create one of those BWW pile-ups where everyone heaps scorn and disdain upon a particular show. Now when that didn't happen, you are backing up and acting disingenuous, playing the victim. Shrek has already been bashed about here and elsewhere, which one site engine search would have demonstrated to you. If your had hoped to generate a thread for thoughtful speculation about Shrek, it would have been better to start off without trying to stack the deck against it.

---

Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.

#22

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 3:43pm

you are so right.

i bet you even know what shirt i am wearing.

maybe instead of putting me upon a belligerent high horse, you could actually offer an opinion.

#23

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 3:44pm

"Howl At The Moon" is NOT "Howl", B3TA.

totally different songs... which, I guess, means that O'Keefe did a 360 and transformed it. and I don't like that.

I first heard "Howl" performed in the spring of 2006 at a development workshop. This is from the fall of 2007.

not sure why he changed it so much. it was absolutely beautiful and breathtaking in its original form. it was written much higher and had this eerie haunting with some brilliant arpeggios in a minor key.

Updated On: 4/6/08 at 03:44 PM

#24

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 3:50pm

My problem is that I absolutely hate the Shrek movie, so it will take a lot for me to like the musical.

---

Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!

#25

re: Shrek? ewwwwww

Posted: 4/6/08 at 3:54pm

Let's breathe deeply, relax and wait and see.

I for one would have loved to have heard Dave Yazbek's take on the score who was originally in talks to do music & lyrics of it. But that was way back then.

Tesori's talented but I don't treasure all she's done equally so she may or not convince me.