Shrek the Musical – the much-loved stage adaptation of the hit Oscar-winning DreamWorks film Shrek, has been captivating audiences for over a decade. It features music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. The show tells the story of everyone’s favourite loveable ogre, Shrek, who embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a fire-breathing dragon.
The musical is a fun and heart-warming story that for all ages, and the Dubai performance welcomed tons of laughs and tender moments. From the incredible stage design to the stunning costumes and the breath-taking choreography, Shrek the Musical in Dubai was a truly unforgettable experience.
However, even the biggest fans of the musical may not know all of the surprising facts about this production. Here are 10 things you may not have known about Shrek the Musical.
- Shrek the Musical is based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and the book by William Steig.
- The musical is based on the hit 2001 film Shrek, but it also draws inspiration from William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- The musical score for Shrek the Musical was written by Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire.
- Brian D’Arcy James, who played Shrek in the original Broadway production, won a Tony Award for his performance.
- The famed line from the movie and play, “ogres are like onions”, took inspiration for the quote from the play Peer Gynt from Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen, as he was the first to talk about the notion of a person having more layers to them, much like onions.
- The musical and film are based on the 1990 children’s book ‘Shrek!’ by William Steig.
- The musical has been performed in over 15 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE.
- The Shrek the Musical costumes are some of the most elaborate in Broadway history, with over 100 costumes used in the production.
- Shrek The musical is now the longest touring Western musical in the Middle East.
- The original Broadway production of “Shrek the Musical” ran for over a year and received eight Tony Award nominations.
Brought to Dubai audiences by Broadway Entertainment Group and Live Nation Entertainment in partnership with Du, Rove Hotels, and Dubai Calendar, the show ran to packed houses.