Shrek the Movie has had a long and successful run.  That run helps make Shrek the Musical a success, but it also acts as a limiting factor on the score,  the musical itself and this cast recording.  This show will make those who know Shrek the Movie happy because it so closely follows the movie story line.  As a result the film has dictated song placement.   Thus the music and lyrics by Jeannine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire, move the story line, but are not very creative.  There are some fairly good songs in the show,  but there is nothing that I believe will be lasting.  That being said, those that loved the film and thus the musical will find this cast recording a good story telling record.

Sutton Foster, who seems to move from one Broadway hit to another (Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Drowsy Chaperone, Young Frankenstein) and is outstanding in each one, is terrific here and she has the very best songs of the show in Morning Person and I Think I Got You Beat.  You understand each and every word she sings and there is great life and excitement in her voice.  While I like Brian D’Arcy James, the part demands that he sound like Shrek the Ogre and this takes away from the usual quality that we expect from his singing.  Daniel Breaker is not Eddie Murphy, the movie voice of the donkey,  and suffers by any comparison, although I believe this to be the show’s toughest role.  Christopher Seiber is a very good Farquaad and his Ballad of Farquaad is a lot of fun.

I think this cast recording will be quite fun for children who love the movie and have seen the show, but overall I find the score and this cast recording disappointing.

Categories: Original Broadway Cast Recordings
No Comments »