The Broadway version of the musical Shrek will be performed by Vietnamese artists at the Hanoi Opera House on November 3-4.

Based on the famous DreamWorks animated film, Shrek The Musical is said to have a fantastic edge, lots of energy, and amazing characters.

The musical is performed in English with Vietnamese subtitles. Photo: The Hanoi Times

This is the tale of an ogre, a talking donkey, a dwarf lord, and a cursed princess, rather than a charming prince or princess, fairies, or other mysterious beings. Although the beauty of the musical does not live up to the fairy tales we often hear, it nevertheless has many important lessons to teach.

That's why The YOUniverse has purchased the rights to this musical from Music Theater International so that it can be staged and performed in Vietnam.

According to the artistic advisor of the project, Meritorious Artist Dang Chau Anh, the year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia (February 26, 1973-February 26, 2023), so the Aussie artists are very excited to join the project. They want to contribute to laying the foundation for the development of Vietnamese culture and art.

Shrek The Musical has the participation of director Ylaria Rogers (Australia), who has the background of collaborating with many artistic troupes around the world, and is the director of the musicals Not the Messiah (Llewellyn Hall); Under Milk Wood, Spider's Web, Pride and Prejudice 10 Flat (Genesian Theater); The Wild Ride, Storytime (Presbyterian Ladies College)...

In addition, the project brings together Madison Price, an expert in musical theater, as choreographer; Broadway composer Nicholas Gentile as musical director; baritone singer Craig Haggart as vocal coach; and director Jay Thien Nguyen, who has more than 10 years of experience performing in international theaters.

A legend of Broadway and Hollywood musicals was also involved - artist and lecturer Philip Quast (who rose to fame as Javert in the original 1987 Australian production of Les Misérables) was directly engaged in guiding and inspiring the cast of Shrek.

Legend of Broadway and Hollywood musicals - artist and lecturer Philip Quast instructs the cast.

Commenting on the project, Music Director Nicholas Gentile said that the work is not only family-friendly, but also conveys a message of equality, understanding, and the free expression of young people's emotions and personalities.

"Unconstrained by standards of appearance or conventional choices, the play provides opportunities for talented and passionate actors. The play also conveys a message of respect for the differences of each individual and encourages the building of an open and mutually supportive society. Through the journey of self-understanding, from a person who has always been discriminated against and endured prejudice, Shrek gradually accepts and loves himself, and in turn, is accepted by everyone around him," said Nicholas Gentile.

As a result, Shrek The Musical has changed all of society's old ideas about beauty and love. Because Shrek and Fiona are not, by nature, the male and female protagonists often seen in fairy tales, they still have a beautiful love and happily ever after - proving the power of love beyond all boundaries of gender and social expectations.

Pre-show rehearsal of the cast.

In particular, the work also carries the moral of the protection of the environment and the sharing of love with less fortunate people. According to the organizer, the performance costumes are made by deaf and blind people from safe, environmentally friendly, and recyclable materials such as plastic, nylon fiber, denim fabric, coffee grounds, and plastic bottles.