Photo Flash: Ben Crawford is SHREK THE MUSICAL's 'Big, Bright & Beautiful' New Leading 'Ogre'

The award-winning hit new Broadway musical is now on sale through January 3, 2010, when it takes its final bow on Broadway and prepares for its national tour in July.

Beginning November 10th, Ben Crawford has been performing the title role of ‘Shrek'. Crawford replaces Tony Award® nominee Brian d'Arcy James, who departed after the performance on Sunday, November 8th to appear in Manhattan Theatre Club's production of Time Stands Still.

SHREK THE MUSICAL features a book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize® winner, David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Olivier Award-winner Jeanine Tesori, and is directed by Tony Award® nominee Jason Moore. The new show opened at the Broadway Theatre on Sunday, December 14.

SHREK THE MUSICAL tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren't only found in fairy tales.

For more information, visit www.shrekthemusical.com

Tickets for SHREK THE MUSICAL are available by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200, (800) 432-7250 outside the NY metro area, online at Telecharge.com, or in person at The Broadway Theatre box office (1681 Broadway @ 53rd St). Group sales are available by contacting Telecharge Group Sales at 212-239-6262, or 800-432-7780.

Tickets on Tuesdays through Thursdays range in price from $41.50 to $121.50, and tickets on Fridays through Sundays range in price from $51.50 to $126.50. All tickets include a $1.50 facility fee.

Ben Crawford (Shrek) is currently the stand-by for the role of Shrek in Shrek The Musical. He hails from Tucson, Arizona where he received a BFA degree in Music Theatre from the University of Arizona. He made his Broadway debut in the revival of Les Misérables, where he understudied the roles of both Javert and Jean Valjean. Other past credits include Oliver! at the MUNY (Bill Sykes), Oklahoma! at TOTS (Jud Fry), Carousel (Billy Bigelow), White Christmas (Bob Wallace), Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson) and Assassins (John Wilkes-Booth).

Photos by Joan Marcus