Shrek (the musical) to be released commercially or on DVD?

[BroadwayPhan]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 10:19am

Saw Shrek for the first time last night.

Noticed there was one camera filming in the mezzanine and one in the orchestra. Thought it was for Lincoln Center archives, but was told that in fact, they were testing cameras to do a potential filming of the show for either pay-per-view or even a DVD release.

Has this been officially announced yet? I guess a potential release would make some sense given the commercial success of the animated film.

It's too bad the show wasn't better though. I thought the sets and costumes were nice, but the story seemed to drag at many points. The highlight for me was Chris Seiber's performance as Farquaad. It must be hard performing on one's knees night after night...and he did it so effectively!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 10:29am

Nope. Nothing has been mentioned about any of this until now... so thank you for the heads-up AND for actually asking someone instead of assuming something when you noticed the 2 cameras.

They were only doing camera tests so who knows what the outcome will be. The recent GYPSY revival (with Patti LuPone) went as far as stating ON TeleCharge that the show was being filmed during its last weekend but all that fell thru when they extended the show. The filming never took place.

[winston89]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 11:24am

That sounds better then when I saw the guy filming Two Cities for Lincoln Center. He didn't know who had him. I saw the camera set up so I assumed it was for Lincoln Center yet when I asked him he just said that he was told by the producers to film. Never said what for.

[Justin D]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 11:48am

Are the Lincoln Centre tapes that well shot? like from multiple cameras? I always assumed it was a sort of one shot camera on a tripod in the back kind of thing.

Posted: 9/18/09 at 11:50am

I can't imagine they'd film this for commercial release but if some guy told an anonymous message board poster it MUST be true.
Updated On: 9/18/09 at 11:50 AM

[philly03]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 12:19pm

"That sounds better then when I saw the guy filming Two Cities for Lincoln Center. He didn't know who had him. I saw the camera set up so I assumed it was for Lincoln Center yet when I asked him he just said that he was told by the producers to film. Never said what for."

I thought I remember hearing Tale's producer's and I believe the Dickens foundation or historical society I think have an archive of it (and I would assume Jill Santoriello too), perhaps they originally thought as well that they could potentially release before they had the PBS thing.


I could see why Shrek would do it - I don't understand why Disney doesn't record the shows and sell them. I highly doubt we'll be seeing tons of regional productions of "The Little Mermaid" for instance!

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 12:33pm

Still pissed off about Gypsy.

[Chris3]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 12:43pm

If filming they should really wait for John Tartaglia to come back. He was the perfest Pinocchio.

[jpbran]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 1:12pm

Am VERY disappointed in the BWW folks. How did this line go by thus far without a joke?

"It must be hard performing on one's knees night after night...and he did it so effectively!"

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 1:20pm

Of all the shows that could be taped for television, WHY are they picking this piece of junk?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 1:35pm

It's not really a "picking" matter. If the producers want to pay for it then that's their choice.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 1:44pm

Well we all know how well this worked for LEGALLY BLONDE so why not try it again right?! (Sarcasm.)

[rich.hanson59]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 2:29pm

Why did this not work for Legally Blonde? They were not doing very well, and with the help of the broadcast and the reality show they remained open for another year. Say what you want about the show but hte producers were pretty smart about keeping it open.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 2:42pm

Let's not have the Legally Blonde on TV debate again please

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 2:46pm

They very much could have been filming due to the fact that Rob just started and most shows tape the production when a major new castmember begins, like the Little Mermaid taped it when Heidi and Faith began as Ursula.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 3:10pm

"Why are they picking this piece of junk?"

Thank you.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 3:16pm

Legally Blonde just aired the show on TV and it didn't benefit the Broadway production but the tour is doing well.

Shrek releasing a dvd could be beneficial actually. Buying a dvd is much cheaper and easier for a parent than taking their kid(s) to see the show in NY (or in whatever city when it tours). Plus, of course it would be more accessible to all the people across the country who don't live anywhere near NY. DVD sales could be quite good, I'm not sure if it would be enough to make up for all the losses from running the show, but it could be a good idea.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 3:21pm

If some people think airing LB on MTV is what kept it open, you're delusional.

I think a SHREK DVD would be even more detrimental than airing it on, say, Nickelodeon or something. People can purchase it for like $20 and watch it whenever they want instead of shelling out upwards of $100 to see it live. You do the math.

I don't think the point of this is to get good ratings or sell a bunch of DVDs but to do both (or either) of those things and THEN sell a sh*tload of tickets for the actual SHOW on Broadway. The point of this whole thing is to keep the show running and to get more people to go see the show. The ratings/DVD sales could be through the roof but if the show itself doesn't sell tickets because of it, they've failed at what they were trying to do. Updated On: 9/18/09 at 03:21 PM

[James885]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 3:34pm

I don't think releasing Shrek The Musical on DVD would be the best idea since many families probably already have the movie on DVD and probably wouldn't spend more money to buy another DVD of the live version that pretty much follows said movie.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 3:34pm

<------ also still PISSED about LuPone Gypsy not getting filmed!!!! I mean, I love me some Patti LuPone, but who wants to see her hee-hawing in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN? Honestly, if they film AGYG over GYPSY I will be soooo pissed!

Oh yeah, right, this thread is about SHREK. Um...good for the kids, I guess?

[legally_popular]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 3:37pm

True, a dvd only costs about $20 more or less, but when you think of HOW MANY dvds they can sell across the nation, it adds up.

Shrek 3 alone made $174,295,778 from dvd sales in the U.S.
http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2007/SHRK3.php


That many people would never go out to see the Broadway show. Any of the Shrek movies, Shrek 4-d, merchandise, whatever will make so much just because it's Shrek. Dreamworks is losing money from the Broadway production, but by selling it on dvd... hey, making a few hundred million dollars from it couldn't hurt them. My point is not about a dvd HELPING the Broadway production. The Broadway production will probably never be profitable and can't continue running much longer, but Dreamworks could make a sh*tload of money from releasing it on dvd (not that they need it, but yeah).

To be honest, I couldn't care less about whether they film this show, I'm just saying. And yes, I too am still angry and sad over the fact that they didn't end up filming Gypsy!
Updated On: 9/18/09 at 03:37 PM

[Pgenre]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 3:40pm

No PATTI-GYPSY is a crime... hopefully she'll play London and they'll record it there, but I doubt she'd get Laura and Boyd back.

And replacement-wise, Ruthie Henshall is gonna be a fierce Rose someday soon so maybe London should just wait for that...

P

[Rudy2]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 3:55pm

I concur about the LuPone-Gypsy travesty.

I must say that I do feel bad for D'Arcy James' replacement, due to step into the role in November. He will probably never get to do it.

[phantom39]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 5:25pm

Say what you say, filming Shrek and releasing it on DVD would be the smartest thing the producers could do. It would help the Broadway show, help the tour, and will sure help them recoup the Broadway investment (and make some money too).

Those that say Legally Blonde's airing did not help it, are not realizing that without the airing the tour would not have done as well as it's doing right now.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 5:28pm

I've seen Patti in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and she was marvelous.

Please don't forget, Patti will probably be doing GYPSY in London and it may very well be taped there. KISS ME KATE was.