Training: He graduated from Julliard and is a classically trained actor. He's done a lot of Shakespeare and now he's done two very different musical in one year's time.
Passing Strange: He was Tony and Drama Desk Award nominated for his work as "Youth" in Passing Strange on Broadway last year. He received a Theatre World Award and AUDELCO Award for that performance.
Work on Broadway: SHREK THE MUSICAL is his 4th Broadway show, having previously appeared in Lisa Kron's Well at the Longacre Theatre, Shakespeare's Cymbeline at Lincoln Center, Passing Strange at the Belasco Theatre.
At Home: Daniel is a new dad. Just weeks before he got the job on Shrek The Musical, his wife gave birth to a son, Rory. His wife is Kate Whoriskey, an accomplished young director. She directed Ruined at Manhattan Theatre Club and Inked Baby at Playwrights Horizons - both running now.
Shrek: Daniel is upfront that he's never seen any of the SHREK films. He knows they are supposed to be really great, but knows Eddie Murphy is brilliant and really doesn't want that to influence his take on the role.
Music: What many people don't know is that Daniel is a huge fan of classical music - you can often hear great symphonies and operas playing throughout the halls at the theatre.
Make-up & Costume: For his role as the Donkey, Daniel wears a very heavy costume and head piece (with ears). The costume is covered in thousands of little strips of suede. His make-up process takes about 20-30 minutes before every show - he only has his face painted and has no additional pieces or prosthetics.
FUN FACTS ABOUT SHREK THE MUSICAL:
SHREK THE MUSICAL is the brand new musical from DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Production (Sam Mendes' company). It takes the story of the first Academy Award-winning Shrek film and takes the story even further into the backgrounds of the characters.
It includes all new music by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori - nothing from the film. The cast CD was just released as Number 1 on the Broadway charts and an impressive Number 88 on the Billboard Top 200.
The production opening in December 2008 at the Broadway Theatre on Broadway at 53rd Street.
The show has been praised by everyone for its audience appeal. Much like the Shrek films, the stage production has something for everyone to enjoy - there is sophisticated humor that adults will get a kick out of, and great material that the kids find hilarious.
Shrek's story is truly about the journey of self-discovery and the realization that inner beauty far outweighs what you see on the outside. No matter what you look like, you can accomplish incredible things.
It's also a "buddy tale" - Shrek and Donkey (outcasts with no friends) go on an incredible journey and become the best of friends in their quest to rescue Princess Fiona.
For more information, visit www.shrekthemusical.com.
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