Actor Daniel Breaker recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about his role as Donkey in “Shrek: The Musical.”
“Shrek: The Musical,” which will be available beginning Tuesday, Oct. 15 on Blu-ray and DVD at retail stores and rental outlets throughout the Valley, is a highly acclaimed Broadway production based on Dreamworks’ 2001 animated adventure. It is the recipient of eight 2009 Tony Award nominations.
Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Breaker by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the actor discusses what message he hopes that “Shrek the Musical” imparts upon viewers.
“I think that what we were doing with the live musical version of ‘Shrek’ was taking the ideas and the structure of the movie and not necessarily reinventing it but reimagining it. It is a very different medium to perform. I think that the lovely thing about the core of this piece is – especially for Donkey and his relationship to Shrek – is that it is a buddy comedy. You are watching these two characters that are really alone in the world and are trying to find themselves and find some sort of friendship.
“I think that that is naturally in the story. So I sort of went off of that … and I hope that that will translate onto the screen. I think that the major message in ‘Shrek: The Musical’ is be who you want to be. I think that it is about being your true self in this world. I think that there are a lot of elements and events that will make you scared in life and make you not want to sort of show your true self.
“But I think that the best way to live through this world is to be your true self. I think that that is very clear in the musical – and also in the song ‘Let Your Freak Flag Fly.’ That is sort of our power song for the musical. I feel like I have found a new version of silly in myself after playing Donkey. I think that maybe I was a little too serious in life and when that part came around I found a new level of open insanity.” – Daniel Breaker
