DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions announced today that SHREK THE MUSICAL will open at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in May 2011, with a press night on June 7, 2011. The new stage musical is based on the story and characters from William Steig´s book ´Shrek!´ and the Oscar-winning Dreamworks Animation feature film ´Shrek,´ the first chapter in the series of irreverent fairy tales.

The Anglo-American creative team is led by directors Jason Moore and Rob Ashford and includes David Lindsay-Abaire (Book and Lyrics), Jeanine Tesori (Music), Tim Hatley (Scenic, Costume and Puppet Design), Hugh Vanstone (Lighting Design), Peter Hylenski (Sound Design), and Josh Prince (Choreography).

Casting, performance dates, and box office details will be released soon. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on October 1, 2010.

SHREK THE MUSICAL tells the story, loved by people of all ages, of the swamp-dwelling ogre who, in a faraway kingdom, embarks on a life-changing adventure in order to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey who won´t shut up, this unlikely hero - not a handsome prince - fights a fearsome dragon, rescues the feisty Princess Fiona and learns that real friendship and true love aren´t only found in fairy tales. With all-new songs, and an old favourite in I´m a Believer, this spectacular stage musical brings to life the film´s cast of dysfunctional characters and the accompanying subversive fun.

SHREK THE MUSICAL played on Broadway from December 2008 to January 2010 and was nominated for eight Tony Awards; winning Tim Hatley the Tony for Best Costume Design of a Musical. The original creative team has now re-assembled to stage the production with new songs and additional scenes. Currently in rehearsal, this production will tour 60 cities in the United States beginning in July 2010. The UK production will start rehearsals in London in early 2011.

SHREK THE MUSICAL is Dreamworks Animation´s first theatre venture. The production was initiated when Sam Mendes, a fan of the first ´Shrek´ film, suggested the idea of creating a musical to Dreamworks Animation´s Jeffrey Katzenberg around the time that the second film (´Shrek 2´) was in production. The musical is produced by DreamWorks Theatricals (Bill Damaschke, president) and London-based Neal Street Productions (Caro Newling, producer).

David Lindsay-Abaire (Book and Lyrics) won the Pulitzer Prize in 2007 for his play ‘Rabbit Hole’, which also attracted five Tony nominations. He recently wrote the screenplay for a film version which stars Nicole Kidman (currently in post-production).

Jeanine Tesori (Music) won the Olivier Award for CAROLINE, OR CHANGE when it transferred to the National Theatre in London. The production received a Tony nomination for Best Musical; one of three Best Musical nominations for Tesori. She has written numerous songs for films which include ‘Shrek The Third’.

Jason Moore (Director) directed AVENUE Q in London. His Broadway credits include AVENUE Q, ‘Steel Magnolias’ and JERRY SPRINGER: THE OPERA. He has also directed TV episodes of ‘Dawson’s Creek’, ‘One Tree Hill’ and ‘Brothers and Sisters’.

Rob Ashford (Director) is an Associate Director of the Donmar Warehouse and recently directed ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ at the London venue. He choreographed GUYS AND DOLLS, EVITA and THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE in the West End and his production of PROMISES, PROMISES is currently running on Broadway.

Tim Hatley (Set & Costume Design) won the 2009 Tony Award for SHREK THE MUSICAL on Broadway and the 2002 Olivier Award for ‘Humble Boy’ and ‘Private Lives’ in the West End. He designed the Broadway and West End productions of SPAMALOT and his film credits include ‘Stage Beauty’, ‘Closer’ and ‘Notes on a Scandal’.

Hugh Vanstone (Lighting Design) has won three Olivier Awards for his work. He designed the lighting for ‘God of Carnage’, ‘Mary Stuart’, ‘Boeing-Boeing’, SPAMALOT and BOMBAY DREAMS amongst other plays, musicals and operas in London, New York and around the world.

Peter Hylenski (Sound Design) was nominated for an Olivier Award for his sound design on RAGTIME in the West End in 2003. He created the sound design for ‘Walking With Dinosaurs’ and on Broadway he has worked on THE WEDDING SINGER, SWEET CHARITY and LITTLE WOMEN.

Josh Prince (Choreographer) made his Broadway debut as a Choreographer on SHREK THE MUSICAL and worked on movement for The Bridge Project productions at Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Old Vic.

The final chapter in the feature film series, ´Shrek Forever After,´ is on general release in cinemas now and opens in the UK on July 2, 2010.