Shrek - On Stage?

Yep, given the success of stage shows like Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid, is it any surprise to hear that there's a stage version of Shrek being prepared for Broadway? Not really, no. They've just announced the star for the show - here's the story from our pals with the Associated Press:

Shrek the Musical has found its Shrek.

Brian d'Arcy James will portray the green ogre in the stage adaptation of the popular Dreamworks film and the book by William Steig. The show opens Dec. 14 on Broadway.

The actor was most recently seen this season in the off-Broadway musical Next to Normal, playing a husband confronting his wife's mental illness. He was also on Broadway in such musicals as the 2006 revival of The Apple Tree, Sweet Smell of Success and Titanic.

The musical will also feature Chester Gregory II as the wisecracking Donkey and John Tartaglia as Pinocchio, it was announced Thursday.

Shrek will begin preview performances Nov. 8 at the Broadway Theatre, following an out-of-town tryout at Seattle's Fifth Avenue Theatre in August and September.

Previously announced for the cast were Sutton Foster as Princess Fiona, Christopher Sieber as the evil Lord Farquaad and Kecia Lewis-Evans as the Dragon.

Shrek, which will be directed by Jason Moore, has book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori.

On the Net: http://www.shrekthemusical.com