National tour of 'Shrek' musical planned

NEW YORK, April 24 (UPI) -- A U.S. tour of "Shrek the Musical" is set to begin in Chicago in June 2010, the show's producers said.

DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions made the announcement Thursday.

The show, which has a book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, will launch its national tour as part of the Broadway in Chicago Season Series. The musical will play the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre for a limited engagement.

The tour announcement follows the news that "Shrek" received 10 nominations for Outer Critics Circle Awards, including one for best musical. The show also received three Drama League Award nominations this week, including one for distinguished production of a musical.

"Chicago is a great theater town and the perfect city to launch the 'Shrek the Musical' national tour. We feel we are in really good hands with the Broadway in Chicago team who have unmatched experience and success in presenting Broadway musicals. Everyone on the creative team has strong ties to the city of Chicago and is looking forward to getting to work on the touring production," producer Bill Damaschke said in a statement.