SHREK Originals to Play the Windy City?

In the Chicago Tribune yesterday, theater critic Chris Jones reports that Shrek originals Brian d'Arcy James (Shek), Sutton Foster (Princess Fiona) and Christopher Sieber (Lord Farquaad) are scheduled to attend a preview event later this month surrounding the announcement of the Shrek National Tour,kicking off at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre in the summer of 2010. 

Rumors are abuzz in the Windy City that this could perhaps be an indication that these Broadway originals may be set for the touring cast. After all, writes Jones, "I've never known original Broadway cast members to show up in Chicago just to announce that someone else will be playing their roles."

D'Arcy James got his start in Chicago playing concert gigs and Sieber performed as Sir Galahad in "Spamalot" in the town.  To date, Chicago is largely unchartered territory for Broadway darling Foster, according to Jones.

To read the full blog, click here.

Shrek 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 production opened at the Broadway Theatre on Sunday, December 14. Shrek will launch a national tour at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre for a limited engagement, July 13 - September 5, 2010.

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

For more information, visit www.shrekthemusical.com

Tickets for Shrek on Broadway 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. 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.