From Broadway to Bucharest: Shrek the Musical Returns to the National Opera House on Children’s Day

Horia Brenciu Stars as the Lovable Ogre.

Shrek, one of the most beloved and emotional stories of all time and the Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature, returns to the stage as Shrek the Musical at the Bucharest National Opera on June 1, 2, 3, and 4 at 6:30 PM.

The cast includes renowned performers such as Horia Brenciu in the role of the grumpy yet lovable ogre, along with Oana Laura Gabriela and Bianca Purcărea as Fiona, Adrian Nour (Donkey), Julie Mayaya (Dragon), and Andrei Petre and Ernest Fazekaș as Lord Farquaad. The production is presented by the Bucharest National Opera and Musicals.ro, the same team behind successful productions like The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, and My Fair Lady.

Shrek the Musical: A Timeless Tale of Friendship and Love for the Whole Family

Set in a mythical land from once upon a time, Shrek the Musical tells the story of a giant green ogre who, having been mocked and feared his entire life, chooses to live in isolation in a swamp. But fate has other plans, leading him out of his comfort zone on a journey that helps him discover the true value of friendship and love.

“What would the world be like if we were all the same, like mass-produced goods? What if we all chased the same ideals of beauty, and only the ‘perfect’ could be role models? Shrek the Musical is an adventure packed with fairy tale characters, heroic princess rescues, and daring dragon escapes. In this utopian world, witty dialogue and humor abound. You’ll discover—or rediscover—Shrek, an ogre who’s not as scary as he looks, a princess in charge of her own destiny, and a donkey more empathetic than most humans,” say the organizers.

Shrek: A Worldwide Success with Over $492 Million at the Box Office and an Oscar Win

The original Shrek film featured Hollywood stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. It premiered at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d’Or—making it the first animated film selected in competition since Peter Pan in 1953. Released by DreamWorks Pictures on May 18, 2001, it grossed over $492 million worldwide and became the fourth-highest-grossing film of the year.

The film was widely praised for its animation, voice performances, soundtrack, script, and humor. It received an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay and won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also earned six BAFTA nominations, winning Best Adapted Screenplay.

The success led to three sequels—Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010)—and two spin-offs: Puss in Boots (2011) and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022). Shrek is considered one of the most influential animated films of the 2000s and one of the greatest of all time. In 2020, it became the first animated film of the 21st century to be included in the U.S. National Film Registry.

Shrek the Musical: Lively Set Design, Elaborate Costumes, and Powerful Choreography

“Shrek the Musical will feature dynamic sets, elaborate costumes, bold choreography, and modern stage effects, lighting, and visuals—offering a fresh, digitally relevant aesthetic. It’s a family-friendly show full of laughter, surprises, and emotional depth. The story invites introspection and emotional exploration, celebrating friendship and the contrast between appearances and essence. It’s a metaphor for the human journey and a tribute to the fairy tales of our childhood,” the production team added.

Shrek the Musical runs for three hours, including an intermission, and is based on the animated film by DreamWorks and the book by William Steig. The musical was originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions. The recommended minimum age is 8 years old.

Tickets are available at:

• Opera Națională București

• Bilet.ro