Full cast of Shrek known

MANILA, Philippines -  This month is going to be Shrektacular! The well-loved ogre comes to Manila in Shrek the Musical, a song-and-dance-filled stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning DreamWorks animated film. 

Shrek the Musical opens Sept. 19 and runs through Oct. 12 at the Meralco Theatre.

Shrek The Musical puts a twist on fairytales as we have come to know them. Instead of a knight riding a noble steed, the hero is Shrek, a swamp-dwelling ogre who befriends a wisecracking Donkey. And the Princess? She’s the slightly temperamental and neurotic Fiona. After Shrek rescues Fiona from a dragon-guarded tower, the two fall in love before she reveals there’s more to her than meets the eye. Other fairytale misfits join the madcap adventure in the colorful musical, including a brave puppet named Pinocchio, a Gingerbread Man with an attitude and Three Blind Mice who channel their inner Dreamgirls.

An entertaining, family-friendly show, it features a terrific score that includes the hit song I’m A Believer. The songs come from Jeanine Tesori, who wrote the music, and David Lindsay-Abaire, who wrote the book and lyrics.

After Shrek the Musical premiered in 2008 as the most expensive show ever produced on Broadway, it played for more than a year and earned numerous Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations. It went on to become a hit musical in London’s West End and continues to tour the UK.

Starring in Shrek the Musical are Rycharde Everley as Shrek, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez as Princess Fiona, Nyoy Volante as Donkey, Jett Pangan as Lord Farquaad, Nel Gomez as Pinocchio and Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Dragon. Shrek is directed by Bobby Garcia.

Meanwhile, enjoy a Shrektacular stay at Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria, and get free tickets to the epic musical adaptation.

Book until Sept. 18 and have an ogre-sized experience for P8,500 net per night at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and P7,500 net at Holiday Inn Manila Galleria inclusive of an overnight stay for two in a deluxe room, two tickets to the Shrek the Musical on Sept. 18, 7 p.m. at the Meralco Theater, buffet breakfast for two, complimentary Internet and a 20 percent discount off food and beverages during your stay. General terms and conditions apply.

For details, call Crowne Plaza at 633-7222 or e-mail [email protected]. For Holiday Inn, call 633-7111 or e-mail [email protected]. For tickets, call 891-9999.