18
SUMMER PROGRAM 2013
About Tonight
In 1990, New Yorker cartoonist William Steig wrote
Shrek!
, a slight, wry book about a grumpy,
ugly ogre content being a grumpy, ugly ogre. Upending all things fairy tale-ish, Shrek had no desire
to be anyone else. He even found a grumpy, ugly princess.
The 2001 Dreamworks film put the ogre’s tale into a bigger context of friendship, romance, and
adventure—your standard Hollywood fairy tale translation. But this film was hardly standard.
With raucous comedy and shrewd insights into all things fairy tale, this
Shrek
skewered how we
think about heroes and wishes and beauty. It even wondered aloud whether all this fairy tale stuff
was any good for us. And the world—yes, literally the world—loved this grumpy, ugly (and now
flatulent) ogre.
Broadway beckoned in 2008, when writers David Lindsay-Abaire (book and lyrics) and Jeanine
Tesori (music) adapted
Shrek
into a lavish musical. Their music and lyrics connect us with the
human feelings within the tale. There is heartbreak when Shrek sings “Who I’d Be;” jubilation in
letting “Freak Flags” fly; and wisdom in “This is My Story.” Here is a joyous, singing and dancing
Shrek that arrives at The Muny.
A brilliant group of actors enchant our swamp. Those of you who know Stephen Wallem (Shrek)
from Showtime’s
Nurse Jackie,
prepare to be thrilled by an excellent musical theatre performer.
Julia Murney (Princess Fiona) is a revered Broadway artist who is fulfilling a date with destiny
with The Muny. You’ll see what I mean. Michael James Scott (Donkey) took a vacation from
Broadway’s
The Book of Mormon
to join us. He’s a Webster University grad who spent early years at
The Muny, and we’re thrilled and proud to welcome him back as a principal player. Natalie Venetia
Belcon (Dragon) is a Broadway legend for her “Gary Coleman” in
Avenue Q
. Rob McClure (Lord
Farquaad) joins us after the kind of year actors dream about. His breakout Broadway performance
in the title role in
Chaplin
received hosannas not sung out since Kristin Chenoweth appeared on
the scene. Rob was nominated for every major theatre award, including the Tony. (And lucky us,
he’s also to be our Bert in
Mary Poppins
.)
Many of you will remember our director John Tartaglia as our wonderful “Genie” in Disney’s
Aladdin
last year. He was the toast of St. Louis. Read his bio, and you’ll be astonished by his
accomplishments as performer, puppeteer, and director. He was also in the original Broadway
production of
Shrek
, and last summer we happened into an exciting conversation about a
Shrek
for The Muny. John has pulled together elements from the London, Broadway, and Tour versions
of
Shrek
(including a song cut during the pre-Broadway try-out), and incorporated his artistry
as a puppeteer. Along with Choreographer Vince Pesce, Musical Director Rick Bertone, and
Costume Designer Andrea Lauer, John has created a production that captures all that
Shrek
was
ever intended to be. For all of us who have worked on this production, John is not just our director;
he’s our muse.
Mike Isaacson
Executive Producer
THEMUNYPRODUCTIONOF
