Shrek The Musical: Robb Sapp to replace John Tartaglia as 'Pinocchio'


Beginning 18 Aug 2009 Robb Sapp will play 'Pinocchio' in DreamWorks Theatricals & Neal Street Production's Broadway show, Shrek The Musical, replacing original cast member John Tartaglia.

Tony Award nominee John Tartaglia, who originated the role of 'Pinocchio,' is taking a leave of absence from the show, and is scheduled to return on 15 Dec 2009.

Rob Sapp recently made his Broadway debut as 'Boq' in the musical'Wicked.' Off-Broadway credits include 'Happiness,' 'Enter Laughing,' 'Johnny Guitar' and 'Zanna Don't'

Shrek The Musical opened at the Broadway Theatre on 14 Dec 2008, following previews from 8 Nov, where it is currently selling tickets through to 30 May 2010.

The musical opened to mixed reviews: "wonderful family show." (newyortheatreguide.com); "Leaden fairy-tale-theme costume party." (New York Times); "By and large, it stays earthbound - fine, not great." (New York Daily News); "it takes nearly all of Act 1 before "Shrek: The Musical" starts to sing. And when it does, it truly comes alive" (New York Post); "The good news is that it is done very well; the bad news is that it is done at all." (Bloomberg); "Shrek is pretty grand entertainment" (USA Today); "A paint-by-numbers fractured fairy tale" (NewsDay); "An honest-to-god, across-the-board crowd pleaser" (Back Stage); "the show creates a "Big Bright Beautiful World" that has much to enjoy." (Variety).

Shrek The Musical currently stars Tony Award nominee *Brian d'Arcy James as 'Shrek,' Tony Award winner Sutton Foster as 'Princess Fiona,' Tony Award nominee Christopher Sieber as 'Lord Farquaad,' Tony Award nominee Daniel Breaker as 'Donkey' and Tony Award nominee John Tartaglia as 'Pinocchio.'
*Ben Crawford assumes the title role of 'Shrek' from 10 Nov 2009

Shrek The Musical is an entirely new musical based on the story and characters from William Steig�s book Shrek, as well as the DreamWorks Animation film Shrek, the first chapter of the Shrek movie series.

Shrek The Musical features a book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winner, David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole), music by Jeanine Tesori (Olivier Award-winner for 'Caroline, or Change' and three-time Tony Award nominee).

Shrek The Musical is directed by Jason Moore, who staged the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Avenue Q, and choreographed by newcomer Josh Prince.

Set and costume design by Tim Hatley, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, with sound by Peter Hylenski.

Dreamwork Animations have released three box-office hit animation movies based on William Steig children's book written in 1990, about a young ogre who finds the ogre of his dreams when he leaves home to see the world. The name 'Shrek' is taken from the German and Yiddish word "Schreck"/"Shreck", meaning "fear, terror".

Shrek The Musical is Dreamwork Animations's first theatrical production. The production was initiated by Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chief Executive Officer of DreamWorks Animation, and Sam Mendes, who has a long-term relationship with DreamWorks. Mendes, a big fan of the first Shrek film, suggested the idea of creating a musical to DreamWorks� Jeffrey Katzenberg around the time the second film was in production.

The musical is produced by DreamWorks Theatricals (Bill Damaschke, President) and Neal Street Productions, Ltd (principals Sam Mendes and Caro Newling).

Click here to buy tickets for Shrek The Musical

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