Bway-Bound 'Shrek' to Hold Open Calls in Chicago and L.A.

Shrek, the new Broadway-bound musical, with music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire, and directed by Jason Moore, is seeking Rock Singers & Hip-Hop performers to audition for the parts of Shrek and Donkey.

Auditions in Chicago will be held on Monday, June 11. Sign up will be from 10:00-11:00AM at Lou Conte Dance Studio, 1147 West Jackson Blvd.

Produced by DreamWorks Animation Live Theatrical Productions and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. (principals Sam Mendes and Caro Newling), the Shrek creative team is planning a two-week reading this summer in New York which will be followed by a Broadway opening in 2008!

The creative team is seeking male performers of all cultural backgrounds for these roles.

Shrek: 20s – 30s. A performer with a strong presence and dynamic rock voice.

Donkey: 20s – 30s. A performer with a contemporary, urban edge. Seeking unique performers, especially from slam poetry or hip hop. Should have a great R&B voice and great comic skill.

Please bring a rock or R&B song with sheet music. A piano accompanist will be provided.

An open audition will also be held in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 20. Sign up will be from 10:00-11:00AM at Screenland II, 10501 Burbank Blvd.

"Based on a children's book by William Steig, the character of Shrek has been featured in three major animated films to date. The first Shrek feature film hit theaters in the summer of 2001, and went on to win the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. In 2004, DreamWorks released a sequel, Shrek 2, which went on to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time. The latest chapter of the Shrek story, Shrek the Third, is now in theatres," state press notes.