SHREK THE MUSICAL To Launch The National Tour In Chicago June 2010

DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. are pleased to announce that the ‘big fat hit'* Broadway production of Shrek The Musical with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, directed by Jason Moore, will launch a National Tour in Chicago. Shrek The Musical will play the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.) for a limited engagement beginning in June 2010.

Tickets are now available for groups of 20 or more by calling (312) 977-1710 and to subscribers of the 2010 Broadway In Chicago Season Series. Individual tickets will be available to the general public at a later date to be announced.

The announcement of the National Tour follows the news that Shrek The Musical received 10 nominations for Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Musical, tying for the most nominations for any show this season. The show also received three Drama League Award nominations this week, including Distinguished Production of a Musical.

"Chicago is a great theatre town and the perfect city to launch the Shrek The Musical National Tour. We feel we are in really good hands with the Broadway In Chicago team who have unmatched experience and success in presenting Broadway musicals. Everyone on the creative team has strong ties to the city of Chicago and is looking forward to getting to work on the touring production," said Bill Damaschke, Producer.

Shrek The Musical features a book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize® winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole), music by Olivier Award-winner Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie; Caroline, or Change), and is directed by Tony Award® nominee Jason Moore (Avenue Q).

Shrek The Musical has set and costume designs by Tony Award® winner Tim Hatley, lighting design by Olivier Award winner Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Peter Hylenski; choreography by Josh Prince, music direction by Tim Weil, and orchestrations by Danny Troob & John Clancy.

An entirely new musical, Shrek The Musical is 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 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.

Shrek The Musical was initiated when Sam Mendes, a big fan of the first Shrek film, suggested the idea of creating a musical to Dreamworks Animation's Jeffrey Katzenberg around the time the second film was in production. The musical is produced by DreamWorks Theatricals (Bill Damaschke, President of DreamWorks Theatricals and Co-President of Production for Dreamworks Animation) and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. (principals Sam Mendes and Caro Newling).

The Broadway production of Shrek The Musical opened on Sunday, December 14, 2008 at the Broadway Theatre in New York City to critical acclaim. "A triumph of comic imagination," said Elysa Gardner (USA Today), "A Big Fat Hit!" Syndicated columnist Liz Smith called the show "A fabulous flight of fancy. Incredibly joyous, with a brilliant cast." David Richardson (WOR Radio) said "The music by Jeanine Tesori and words and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire are the best I've heard this season!" Pat Collins (WWOR-TV) said Shrek The Musical is "Far, far and away the funniest new musical on Broadway."

The national tour of Shrek The Musical will be coordinated by The Booking Group (www.thebookinggroup.com).

The chart-topping original Broadway cast album for Shrek The Musical is available on Decca Broadway.

For more information, visit www.ShrekTheMusical.com or www.BroadwayInChicago.com.