RtS: Tarzan

MickeyLumbo · 02-24-2006, 04:35 PM

Rank the Swank - Theater and Movies

Overall Swank Rank

Tarzan
Richard Rodgers Theatre
226 West 46th St
New York, New York
officially: May 10
www.DisneyonBroadway.com

The Lowdown

run, don't walk.
__________________________________________________

The Scene
By Andrew Gans

Complete casting has been announced for the forthcoming Disney musical Tarzan, which will begin previews March 24, 2006, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Heading the cast in the vine-swinging title role will be Josh Strickland with Jenn Gambatese as Jane.

Josh Strickland has been seen as Mark and Roger in the national tour of Rent. He was a national finalist on FOX-TV's "American Idol" and appeared on "Star Search 2004."

Jenn Gambatese played both Natalie Haller and Ed in last season's All Shook Up. On Broadway she has also been seen in Footloose, Hairspray and A Year with Frog and Toad. Gambatese was also part of Off-Broadway's Reefer Madness and both the European and North American tours of Fame.

In a statement Thomas Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical Productions, said, "The creative team for Tarzan has re-imagined, and in some cases, reinvented characters from the original Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, and Disney’s animated film. We hope to bring a fresh perspective to the Tarzan legend, and we think that we have found a wonderful cast to make these roles their own.”

Tarzan will officially open May 10. Two-time Tony Award winner Bob Crowley (Aida, Carousel) will direct and design scenery and costumes for the new musical. Oscar and six-time Grammy Award winner Phil Collins has written the music and lyrics, "expanding his songs for Disney's film into a complete theatre score."

Tony Award-winner David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly) has written the book, adapted from the screenplay by Tab Murphy, Bob Tzudiker and Noni White and based on the novel, "Tarzan of the Apes."

Choreography is by Meryl Tankard, with aerial movement by Pichón Baldinu (De La Guarda). Lighting design is by Tony Award winner Natasha Katz (Aida) and sound design is by John Shivers. Other members of the creative team include Paul Bogaev (Music Producer/Vocal Arrangements) and Doug Besterman (Orchestrations).

Phil Collins composed five songs for the 1999 film, "Disney's TARZAN," including "Two Worlds, One Family," "Strangers Like Me" and "You'll Be In My Heart," which won the 2000 Academy Award for Song of the Year, spent 10 weeks as No. 1 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart.

The soundtrack went double platinum, while the film went on to "instant international success, grossing $447 million worldwide, with subsequent DVD sales in excess of 13 million units."

Collins makes his Broadway songwriting debut with Tarzan — he's penned music and lyrics for eight new songs for the Broadway production, which also borrows from his film score.

Respected designer Bob Crowley makes his Broadway directorial debut with the show. He won the Tony for his scenery for Aida and was acclaimed for his design for Mary Poppins in London.

innerSpaceman · 02-24-2006, 08:11 PM

While I'm sure happy at the thought of Josh Strickland swinging on vines in a loin cloth, I'm not so sure this thing can be ranked (for swank or otherwise) if no one's seen it yet.

cstephens · 02-26-2006, 01:15 AM

We're going in May!

Stan4dSteph · 02-26-2006, 07:19 PM

Previews start next month.

MickeyLumbo · 02-26-2006, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

While I'm sure happy at the thought of Josh Strickland swinging on vines in a loin cloth, I'm not so sure this thing can be ranked (for swank or otherwise) if no one's seen it yet.

agreed. that swank rating was on auto setting and i don't know how to change it.

02-24-2006, 04:35 PM	#1
MickeyLumbo thankfully grateful Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: shangrila Posts: 1,388	RtS: Tarzan Rank the Swank - Theater and Movies Overall Swank Rank Tarzan Richard Rodgers Theatre 226 West 46th St New York, New York officially: May 10 www.DisneyonBroadway.com The Lowdown run, don't walk. __________________________________________________ The Scene By Andrew Gans Complete casting has been announced for the forthcoming Disney musical Tarzan, which will begin previews March 24, 2006, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Heading the cast in the vine-swinging title role will be Josh Strickland with Jenn Gambatese as Jane. Josh Strickland has been seen as Mark and Roger in the national tour of Rent. He was a national finalist on FOX-TV's "American Idol" and appeared on "Star Search 2004." Jenn Gambatese played both Natalie Haller and Ed in last season's All Shook Up. On Broadway she has also been seen in Footloose, Hairspray and A Year with Frog and Toad. Gambatese was also part of Off-Broadway's Reefer Madness and both the European and North American tours of Fame. In a statement Thomas Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical Productions, said, "The creative team for Tarzan has re-imagined, and in some cases, reinvented characters from the original Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, and Disney’s animated film. We hope to bring a fresh perspective to the Tarzan legend, and we think that we have found a wonderful cast to make these roles their own.” Tarzan will officially open May 10. Two-time Tony Award winner Bob Crowley (Aida, Carousel) will direct and design scenery and costumes for the new musical. Oscar and six-time Grammy Award winner Phil Collins has written the music and lyrics, "expanding his songs for Disney's film into a complete theatre score." Tony Award-winner David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly) has written the book, adapted from the screenplay by Tab Murphy, Bob Tzudiker and Noni White and based on the novel, "Tarzan of the Apes." Choreography is by Meryl Tankard, with aerial movement by Pichón Baldinu (De La Guarda). Lighting design is by Tony Award winner Natasha Katz (Aida) and sound design is by John Shivers. Other members of the creative team include Paul Bogaev (Music Producer/Vocal Arrangements) and Doug Besterman (Orchestrations). Phil Collins composed five songs for the 1999 film, "Disney's TARZAN," including "Two Worlds, One Family," "Strangers Like Me" and "You'll Be In My Heart," which won the 2000 Academy Award for Song of the Year, spent 10 weeks as No. 1 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart. The soundtrack went double platinum, while the film went on to "instant international success, grossing $447 million worldwide, with subsequent DVD sales in excess of 13 million units." Collins makes his Broadway songwriting debut with Tarzan — he's penned music and lyrics for eight new songs for the Broadway production, which also borrows from his film score. Respected designer Bob Crowley makes his Broadway directorial debut with the show. He won the Tony for his scenery for Aida and was acclaimed for his design for Mary Poppins in London. __________________ Last edited by MickeyLumbo : 02-24-2006 at 04:46 PM.
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02-24-2006, 08:11 PM	#2
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	While I'm sure happy at the thought of Josh Strickland swinging on vines in a loin cloth, I'm not so sure this thing can be ranked (for swank or otherwise) if no one's seen it yet.
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02-26-2006, 01:15 AM	#3
cstephens Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 231	We're going in May! __________________ Disneyland Resort trip reports and restaurant reviews and more The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.
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02-26-2006, 07:19 PM	#4
Stan4dSteph Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,156	Previews start next month.
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