What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical? — Page 2

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#26

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/27/09 at 9:16am

"I thought the show was great to be honest but I find the fact that it was a movie first.... broadway is losing originality."

Many of the musicals on Broadway are based on some source material, whether it be a movie or book. I don't think that necessarily means Broadway is losing originality.

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

#27

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/27/09 at 9:26am

I've seen it twice (the second time because my daughter wanted to see it) and had the same problems with it both times.

The cast is great but the second act drags unmercifully and there are only a handful of genuinely good songs in the whole show (the best being "I Know It's Today" and "Who I'd Be").

My daughter liked it much more than I did but still thought "Donkey Pot Pie" is perhaps the worst song she's ever heard in a Broadway show.

#28

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/27/09 at 2:42pm

?I am currently obsessed with the music?I have seen some scenes on YouTube??

?Obsessed? seems to suggest that you already like the music, a most important component of a Musical. Some people complain that the ?score isn?t memorable,? but if you already LIKE it, then you will enjoy the show.

You will see some wonderful performances, in the context of a Big Broadway Show. It is a spectacle, and I mean that in the best way. It doesn?t reveal deep psychological truths about the universe, and that?s a problem for some people ? probably not for you.

I don?t enjoy myself if I don?t like the show?s music ? since that hurdle has been overcome for you, I?d say Go For It, and ABSOLUTELY, use the discount codes that you can find online

(sometimes, people query the BWW message board for tips) ?

[ducks]

? but Shrek will almost certainly be discounted and/or on TKTS at around 50% for some time, so come, enjoy.

#29

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/27/09 at 3:06pm

Just because Shrek is modeled after a movie does not make it any less original than other nominated shows. Look at Billy Elliott, that is modeled after a movie and its nominated for 15 awards.

#30

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/27/09 at 4:46pm

The sets are a visual treat. The costuming is inventive and fun. The lighting and special effects are wonderful to see. The cast is superb. The story is shrek slightly twisted. Where it fell short in my book was a positively unspectacular and unmemorable score.

I think in the hands of a lesser cast, it would seriously suffer.

#31

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/27/09 at 6:59pm

I would say that "Shrek - The Musical" is very good, in parts. It contains some inventive and interesting stagecraft - Christopher Sieber's performance as Lord Farquad is pure genius.

I didn't like the dragon at all, I know they changed it after the initial out-of-town engagement but I still don't think it works. It looks too much like something you'd see in Disneyland or Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. They could have cut the dragon out completely and I wouldn't have missed it. The scene where Princess Fiona changed into the ogre for the first time was completely messed up - if you hadn't seen the first Shrek movie you would be totally confused by it.

#32

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/27/09 at 7:09pm

there is nothing wrong with SHREK..its a fun show

#33

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/27/09 at 9:13pm

"I do what I can with what I am given. New Brunswick isn't the most theatrical province, but I have seen a number of high school performances (being in two myself, in minor roles whichwillgetbiggersoonIpromise!), I watch theatre clips constantly on YouTube, I watch musicals on DVD, and the Hairspray tour came recently and I saw that. It was amazing. My first perfessional show, and from the moment the orchestra started I freaked out like the little theatre nerd I am."

Ok wow, I am from New Brunswick too!! And it sucks for theatre stuff! Hairspray tour thing...whatever it was... coming was a shocker for sure... unfortunately i missed it as i was away at university and it was exam time. Yes all this is very irrelevant but i just had to jump in and say hey fellow NB'er I have never heard of anyone else from the Maritimes let alone NB on here haha so it made me excited!

Oh back on topic... i am going to NY in July and i think i plan on seeing Shrek. I am not looking for a groudbreakingly amazing show (I have N2N for that haha) but i think it will be enjoyable. Plus the cast is incredible!

Spring Awakening 7.3.07!!, Wicked/ Rent 7.5.07!!, Legally Blonde 7.6.07!! The Color Purple 7.7.07!!, Gypsy 8.19.08!!, In the Heights/Wicked 8.20.08!!, The Little Mermaid 8.21.08!! Legally Blonde Tour 11.9.08!! Shrek 7.7.09!!, Blithe Spririt 7.8.09!!, 9 to 5 7.9.09!!, Next to Normal 7.10.09!!

#34

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/27/09 at 9:31pm

i took both of my kids (boy 8, girl 12) along with a friend and her daughter (5). All the kids were increidbly excited. The Act II, the 5 year old (who has seen a few shows) could not sit still long enought to pay attention, and both of my kids were non-plussed and pretty bored.

As many here have said: the score is forgettable and the book is unimaginative. I just felt like I was watching one big gimmick. Are the performances strong? Yes, indeed, however, all the characters are two dimensional. Of the three shows my family saw...this was the lowest on their list preference-wise. In fact, the more my son thought about it, the less he liked it. My kids had no desire for the cd or to get any merchandise as a memory.

Is it horrible theater? No. But I wouldn't actaully reccommend it.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

#35

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/27/09 at 10:12pm

A fellow NBer? That IS exciting! There's hardly anyone from Canada on the internet, at least where I go on the internet, much less in the Maritimes. Nice to meet ya! =D Sad you couldn't see the Hairspray tour though.

@drama: Well I already like the score so that won't be a problem. XD I had a feeling the book would be lacking though. From the dialogue I heard on YouTube clips it seemed very much like the original movie. Thanks for your honest opinion though. :3

#36

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/27/09 at 10:20pm

My best friend saw the hairspray "tour" and said she was amazed at how good it actually was! Which made me even sadder i missed it!

And ya you are so right about the Canada thing...tisk tisk Canadians!

#37

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/28/09 at 8:39am

I liked Shrek. I thought the cast was superb. I also enjoyed the songs, especially the lyrics. Very clever.

Without the spice of guilt, sin cannot be fully savored. - Alexander Chase

#38

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/28/09 at 1:44pm

I actually thought act 2 was better than act 1. I hated Donkey Pot Pie, didn't like the beginning of Freak Flag (Gingie's voice gets to me SO much!), and you guys do know that the whole thing is really based off a book right? the idea at least. that's where the movie got their idea from.

<--- the set of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I was assistant stage manager for during the 2007 season at the STNJ outdoor stage.

-Dre- You must remember all the same that at the crux of every game is knowing when it's time to leave the table... And it's important to be artful in your exit. No turning back, you must accept the con is done... It was a ball, it was a blast. And it's a shame it couldn't last. But every chapter has to end, you must agree.
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
There's a special kind of people known as show people. We live in a world full of dreams. Sometimes we're not too certain what's false and what's real. But we're seldom in doubt about what we feel.
~Curtains~
It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to, than I have ever known.
~A Tale of Two Cities ~

#39

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/28/09 at 1:47pm

The score is pretty terrible, IMO, and while the book certainly fares better, it's very uneven. The first act whizzed by and was mindless fun but I really did not enjoy the second act at all.

This is a show where the cast virtually saves it from being a total disaster, I think.

#40

re: What Were The Problems With Shrek: The Musical?

Posted: 5/28/09 at 11:03pm

I saw Shrek about a month ago. I went in with trepidation mostly because of what I had read on this message board. However, I loved this show. I loved the songs and the talent onstage is truly amazing. I plan on seeing it again.

If you loved the CD, you will love the show more.

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