 |
City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
|
NEWS ADVISORY
|
| SUBJECT: Mayor Meets Big Green Ogre and Princess – in the Flesh
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
7/16/2008 10:30:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
|
Mayor Meets Big Green Ogre and Princess – in the Flesh
Broadway-bound production embraces city’s climate efforts
SEATTLE –Mayor Greg Nickels today welcomed the cast of “Shrek The Musical” to The 5th Avenue Theatre, where it will play from Aug. 14 to Sept. 21 before going on to Broadway.
DreamWorks Theatricals’ and Neal Street Productions’ “Shrek The Musical” is a new production based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book “Shrek!” and the DreamWorks Animation film “Shrek.”
“Shrek The Musical” could contribute around $10 million to the local economy, if previous experiences with past Broadway-bound productions hold true. Overall, the total economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Seattle amounts to more than $330 million annually, according to Americans for the Arts, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit.
In recent years, Seattle has launched several shows to Broadway, including “Hairspray,” “The Light in the Piazza,” “The Wedding Singer,” and “Young Frankenstein.” Seattle is first in the nation in the number of arts-related businesses per capita.
“Why is Seattle so great for plays and musicals? Our audiences,” said Nickels. “If we laugh at a line, it stays in the production. If we don’t, the line goes. Our reputation for good taste and our great arts spaces truly put Seattle on the nation’s cultural map.”
In 2007, the city’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs awarded nearly $1.7 million to support 243 artists and cultural organizations. The city has helped theaters and arts groups in other ways as well. Last year, when The 5th Avenue Theatre had to add stage trapdoors crucial to landing “Shrek The Musical,” it received expedited permits from the city’s Department of Planning and Development.
“Seattle’s tourism community is thrilled to welcome ‘Shrek The Musical’ to Seattle,” said Tom Norwalk, incoming chief executive of Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This new production will keep Seattle in the spotlight as a great theater town, and, as with previous theatrical world premieres, exhibits and other major cultural events, we hope for an economic impact of several million dollars for our region’s hotels, restaurants, retail establishments and a variety of service organizations.”
During the six-week run of “Shrek The Musical,” the cast and crew will join Climate Action Now, the city’s community effort to raise awareness about global warming. Maps distributed at US Bank branches and the Space Needle will show alternative ways of traveling to The 5th Avenue Theatre and Climate Action Now literature will be displayed in the lobby during the show’s run. Transportation tips will also be listed on www.5thAvenue.org
“I can’t think of a better way to get involved in the Seattle community during our pre-Broadway run than partnering with Climate Action Now. The company of ‘Shrek The Musical’ is thrilled to be spending the summer in ‘The Emerald City,’ spreading the word about the importance of this initiative,’ said Bill Damaschke, president of DreamWorks Theatricals.
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s inside view on efforts to promote transportation, public safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
- 30 -
Office of the Mayor
| 
