Inspiration

Shrek The Musical is based on the Oscar-winning, animated DreamWorks film. Shrek was released in 2001, featuring an all-star cast, including Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and John Lithgow. The original film was so successful that it led to a series of sequels: Shrek 2, Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After. Both the movie and the musical draw from William Steig's picture book, Shrek!

Productions

Shrek The Musical held an out-of-town tryout at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle from August 14, 2008, to September 21, 2008.

It began previews at The Broadway Theatre on November 8, 2008, and opened on December 14, 2008. Directed by Jason Moore and choreographed by Josh Prince, the production featured Brian d'Arcy James, Sutton Foster, Christopher Sieber, John Tartaglia and Daniel Breaker.

Shrek The Musical closed January 3, 2010, after 441 performances, 37 previews and a twelve-month Broadway run. It then went on to have several national tours, as well as being frequently licensed in regional markets.

Following the Broadway production, Shrek The Musical premiered in the West End at the Drury Lane Theatre, where it ran from 2011 to 2013. It has gone on to be produced in many countries internationally, including a UK National tour.

Cultural Influence

• A High Definition filming of the Broadway production was released on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download on October 15, 2013, in North America and December 2, 2013, in the UK.

• Broadway luminary, Sutton Foster, earned her fourth Tony Award nomination for her performance as Princess Fiona.

• Shrek The Musical marked the first Broadway venture for DreamWorks Theatricals, a stage-oriented arm of the company that made the animated film.

Trivia

• Shrek The Musical was nominated for eight Tony Awards, twelve Drama Desk Awards and a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.
• Broadway legend, Julie Andrews, who played Queen Lillian in Shrek 2, Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After, provided the voice for the audio instructions before each Broadway performance, reminding audience members to turn off their cell phones and unwrap their candies.
• The song, "Donkey Pot Pie" (which is included on the show's cast recording), was later replaced by "Forever" for the national tour and all subsequent productions. 
• The original production cost $24 million, which meant that, at the time, it was the most expensive musical to open on Broadway.