FIRST LOOK: Musical Shrek Star Is McGreeny

Wednesday September 03, 2008 12:45 PM EDT

Brian d'Arcy James as Shrek

(C) 2008 DreamWorks Theatricals (Photo by Joan Marcus)

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Just because he's coming to Broadway in the same season that will also see Katie Holmes and Daniel Radcliffe on the Great White Way, Shrek isn't turning green with envy – he already comes that way.

Actually, it takes boyish Broadway vet Brian d'Arcy James about two-and-a-quarter hours to slip into makeup and costume as William Steig's title ogre character in Shrek the Musical, now previewing in Seattle (where this first-look photo was taken) as it barrels toward New York.

Makeup designers Naomi Donne and Michael Marino used film-quality prosthetics to ensure James has full control over his facial expressions, according to a rep for the production, which is set to start previewing at the Broadway Theatre Nov. 8.

The show takes its story from the original book and first movie in the series, and also stars Thoroughly Modern Millie Tony winner Sutton Foster as Princess Fiona, Christopher Sieber as Lord Farquaad, Chester Gregory II as Donkey, John Tartaglia as Pinocchio and Kecia Lewis-Evans as the Dragon.
– Stephen M. Silverman