Rob Ashford Signs On as Consultant for Shrek the Musical

Director-choreographer Rob Ashford has signed on as an unbilled consultant on Shrek the Musical. Based on William Steig's novel and Dreamworks' animated film, Shrek the Musical is currently playing its pre-Broadway tryout at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theater, directed by Jason Moore Avenue Q, Steel Magnolias and choreographed by newcomer Josh Prince.

"Jason Moore and Josh Prince have invited their friend Rob Ashford to Seattle to provide a fresh set of eyes on the musical staging of the Broadway-bound Shrek the Musical," the musical's producers said in a statement. "Luckily, Ashford has an opening in his schedule which allows him to consult with the production in an unbilled capacity. The show continues to be positively received by preview audiences in Seattle as the creators work together to ready the show for New York."

Ashford, a 2008 Tony nominee for his choreography of Cry-Baby, directed the London production of Parade and choreographed the Broadway productions of Curtains, The Wedding Singer, The Boys from Syracuse and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Ashford had been scheduled to direct and choreograph a Broadway revival of Brigadoon this season, but that production has been postponed.

Shrek the Musical features a book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori. According to Variety, the show grossed $830,000 out of a $1.03 million potential last week in Seattle, where it will open on September 10. Shrek is set to begin previews at the Broadway Theatre on November 11 and will open on December 14 with a cast that includes Brian d'Arcy James, Sutton Foster, Chester Gregory II, Christopher Sieber, Kecia Lewis-Evans and John Tartaglia.