Interview: Chatting with John Tartaglia the Director of SHREK THE MUSICAL at The Muny
Indiividal Tickets for Shrek and The Muny's Six Other Shows Go On Sale May 18, 2026
It was 13-years ago when creative genius John Tartaglia directed his first production at The Muny in St. Louis. This season, Tartaglia will direct his tenth production. The visionary director has become known for staging family shows that are a grand spectacle. In a full circle moment, the tenth show he is directing at The Muny, Shrek the Musical, is the same show he directed in 2013.
Tartaglia promises that this new production will be refreshed and unlike any other production of Shrek that audiences may have seen before. He told Broadway World, “I’ve learned a lot directing nine other shows at The Muny. The theater has grown, and the technology and capabilities have changed. It is a much different theater than it was when I directed Shrek the first time.”
When asked about why his shows connect with the audience, Tartaglia says, “I try to find the heart in every piece I direct to give the audience satisfying human emotions. People come to The Muny family shows with very high expectations.” He knows that the multigenerational audiences are there to make lasting memories. “We must deliver a Broadway quality show for both the legacy audience and the newer patrons who’ve never experienced a Muny show before.”
Tartaglia played Pinocchio in the original Broadway company of Shrek. “There were so many hurdles bringing Shrek to the stage.” He talked about the creative excitement during the workshops, the difficult challenges with the out-of-town tryouts, the thrill of opening night on Broadway, and the decision to add the number “I’m a Believer” halfway through the run. “It was an amazing couple of years.”
He recalls being in the room when composer Jeanine Tesori and book writer David Lindsay-Abaire were making changes to the script. “My history with Shrek gives me a unique perspective to share my imbedded knowledge with the cast,” Tartaglia shared. “It offers an opportunity to add layers to the production that someone without the same experience could not.”
“There are at least three places in the show that have always been done the exact same way that we are revamping.” Tartaglia said, “We have rethought the staging and are taking some big swings.” Tartaglia teased the changes but wouldn’t divulge the specifics saying, “I won’t tell you what they are. I want you and the audience to be surprised!”
The Emmy winner has worked with The Jim Henson Company as a creator, puppeteer, producer, and director for decades. He went to work there when he was just 16 years old. For this Muny production Tartaglia approached the award winning, world-renowned Jim Henson’s Creature Shop to create and build some of the puppets for Shrek. “It is an exciting blend of both of my worlds,” he said.
“As a kid I had this dream of doing both theatre and puppetry on T.V. and in films for The Jim Henson Company.” Tartaglia continued, “Being the executive producer of Fraggle Rock is a dream come true.” Tartaglia is honored to have the responsibility and privilege to carry on what Jim Henson started. “Winning the Emmy was a representation of all of the people who put their heart, soul, and passion into the show.”
Tartaglia’s excitement about this Muny production of Shrek the Musical extends to the cast he is directing. “First of all, I’m a big fan of all of their work,” he says, “I’ve seen them perform different roles and have wanted to work with each of them.”
He calls Nik Walker (Shrek) one of the most brilliant performers on Broadway today. “Kara Lindsay is beloved, and I am surprised she’s never played Fiona before.” Tartaglia says, “Troy Iwata will be the perfect Lord Farquaad. He is so funny, and Marcus Martin’s audition for Donkey was hilarious. Marcus is bringing something fresh, original, and new to the role.”
This is the third year in a row that Iwata has performed at the Muny. He turned in laugh-out-loud portrayals of Ogie in Waitress in 2024 and Jacob in La Cage aux Folles in 2025. Walker, Lindsay, Martin, and several other cast members will all be making their Muny debuts.
Tartaglia says Shrek is a universal story about loving yourself for who you are, and it is jammed packed with heart. “It celebrates our uniqueness and encourages each of us to “Let Your Freak Flags Fly.” He promises a night at the theatre that is really full of surprises, and reiterated, “This will not be like any of the productions of Shrek that you’ve seen before.”
Shrek opens at The Muny on June 25, 2026, and runs nightly through July 2, 2026. Season tickets are on sale now and tickets for individual shows go on sale Monday, May 18, 2026, at the box office in Forest Park and online. Visit muny.org for more information on Shrek and the entire 108th Season at The Muny.
Photo Courtesy of The Muny
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