Tarzan Press Release by Mikayla Fowler
Synopsis
Tarzan the musical is
based on the Disney Movie of the same name and story by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
The story starts out with a young couple and their baby. After becoming
shipwrecked and stranded off the coast of Africa, they make themselves a home
in the jungle but are attacked by the leopard. The baby is the only one who
survives. Kala, a gorilla has recently lost her son by the same leopard. She
hears the baby crying and takes him for herself. She names him Tarzan. The
leader of the gorillas, Kerchak, is very upset that she has brought a human
among them because he knows the danger that humans could bring to the Gorillas.
As Tarzan grows up, Kerchak still does not accept him. Kerchak leads him to a
waterhole and tells him he cannot return, but Kala decides to leave the rest of
the gorillas and stay with Tarzan, whose goal becomes to one day make Kerchak
proud. He soon grows into a man and ends up defeating the leopard. Kerchak lets
Tarzan stay with the group but makes it clear - Tarzan is no son of his. Not
long after that, explorers Professor and Jane Porter, and their guide Clayton
enters into the jungle in search of gorillas. Jane explores the jungle by
herself but soon gets into trouble. Tarzan saves her and is confused. She looks
the same as him, but she is still so different.
Time passes and Jane teaches
Tarzan all about the human world. They are obviously attracted to each other.
In return of her help, Tarzan introduces her to his mother, Kala. Professor
Porter and Clayton still haven't seen gorillas. They realize that they must
call off the expedition soon. Clayton tells Tarzan that if they do not see
gorillas, Jane will leave him. With the help of his best friend Terk, Tarzan
invites his new friends into the nest without the knowledge of Kerchak. Jane
and Porter are in awe. Kerchak appears and angrily chases them away. He throws
Tarzan out for good.
Kala ends up telling Tarzan
about where he came from, and after discovering this, Tarzan decides to dress
human and return to England with Jane. Knowing now where the gorilla nest is,
Clayton sets out to capture the gorillas. He catches Kerchak. Returning to say
goodbye to Kala, Tarzan rescues the gorillas from Clayton, but it is too late
for Kerchak. As he dies, he asks Tarzan, as his son, to look after the family.
Tarzan realizes he must stay. They tell each other a sad goodbye, but Jane has
a change of heart at the last second and decides to stay behind with Tarzan.
SCHS Cast for Tarzan:
· Tarzan—Dustin Chapman
· Jane—Taylor Hawes
· Kala—Mikayla Fowler
· Kerchak—Drake Harper
· Terk—Britni Stevens
· Porter—Austin Ray
· Clayton—Isaiah Fipps
· Snipes— Eryn Patrick
· Father—Phillip Taylor
· Mother—Morgan Fowler
· Leopard—Summer Duncan
· Ensemble—Emilee Batten, Crystal Hall, Tiffany Timmons, Corbin
Clemons, Monica Tutt, Mykia Gerald, Rasheed Jordan, Reese Fowler, Timothy
Locklear, Tori Stubbs,
· Dancers— (Advanced Dance) Morgan Fowler, Rachel
Norris, Tradeesha Floyd, Desiree McLelland, Chrishonna Smith,
Haleigh Ward, Carolyn Foggan, Sia Yacoumis, Brittney Sellers, Maryrica Vereen,
Shaquille Brinkley, Allison Cribb, Kendrick Jonson, Lindsey Lewis, Loquatia
Smith, Bethany Godwin, Khrista Grahm, Gabby Small; (Dance One) Faith Cartrette,
Amber Simmons, Holly Ward, Savannah Williams, Nala Vereen, Autumn Anderson,
Mariah Hemingway, Courtney Marshall, Jacinda Sumpter, Mackenzie Marlowe, Alyssa
Nelson
Professional Awards and Acknowledgments
The musical began previews on Broadway on March 24, 2006, and
officially opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on May 10th making
it the only Disney Theatrical production without an out-of-town tryout. Bob
Crowley designed the sets and costumes and directed the original Broadway
production; choreography was by Meryl Tankard and lighting by Natasha Katz.
Danton Burroughs, grandson of Edgar Rice Burroughs, attended the opening night
party, as did Phil Collins. The production was nominated for a Tony award for
Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Natasha Katz). Due to poor ticket sales, the
show closed on July 8, 2007 after 35 previews and 486 performances
The Original Broadway cast included:
· Josh Strickland as Tarzan
· Jennifer Gambatese as Jane
· Shuler Hensley as Kerchak
· Merle Dandridge as Kala
· Chester Gregory II as Terk
· Tim Jerome as Professor Porter
· Donnie Keshawarz as Clayton
· Daniel Manche / Alex Rutherford as Young Tarzan
Southstage Company’s Thoughts About the Production
SCHS cast members are very excited about the upcoming
production. Dustin Chapman (Tarzan) says “This
musical has been SO much fun. I love the music, and I love working on different
acts every day. Being a part of this musical has definitely got me out of my
comfort zone…but I’m happy that I’m able to take part because I’ve already
learned so much and made so many new friends!” Another cast member, Morgan
Fowler, who is not only a part of the advanced dancers, but the Victorian
mother as well says, “I never would have
thought being in a musical could be so much fun! It is a lot of hard work, but
I know it will pay off when May 16 & 18 comes!” Ensemble members Corbin
Clemons and Monica Tutt say that they think this show will be “the best show SCHS has had yet.”
I have also had a wonderful time working on this musical. This
is my first time taking a part in a musical at SCHS. I never knew it could be
so much fun! Playing the role of a gentle ape mother has its challenges, but I
love playing the part of Kala. I cannot wait to start working with props and
start piecing everything together. I know it’s going to be great!!