Welcome to the Jungle!

Welcome to the Jungle!

Hurricane Theatrical proudly presents the stage musical “Tarzan.” Thanks to the giant Disney Theatrical Productions (Beauty and the Beast and Lion King), Tarzan swings onto the stage accompanied by music from the rock legend Phil Collins. The book is by Tony award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang, and the musical garnered both Tony Award nominations and international awards.

The Tarzan that we think of clad in a loincloth and swinging through the jungle is complements of author Edgar Rice Burrough’s 1912 novel, “Tarzan of the Apes.” The Tarzan character has been a staple of pop culture, including books, films, comics, television, and numerous parodies.

Stranded on the shores of West Africa, an infant boy is rescued and raised by apes who name him “Tarzan.” Young Tarzan (Jack Bearden) is found by the ape Kala (McKenzie Morgan & Makayla Klumpp), whose own baby was carried off by a leopard (Alivia Foster).  Ironically, this same leopard is responsible for the death of Tarzan’s parent’s post shipwreck.  A human being raised by his mate is not acceptable to the ape tribe leader, Kerchak (Adam Cheney), who warns that this child is different and will eventually bring trouble.

Nonetheless, Kala raises Tarzan until an incident causes Kerchak to expel him from the community.  As Tarzan grows into a young man, he is taught by his friend Terk (Reece Jacobsen) how to survive and become accepted by the other jungle animals.

Tarzan struggles to navigate the new emotional jungle of his animal upbringing, clashing with his deeper human instincts.  As the year’s pass, Tarzan meets and is attracted to the young lady naturalist, Jane Porter (Janessa Judkins).  Jane is an intelligent and feisty botanist, which contrasts humorously with her proper Victorian inhibitions.  The lovely Jane has traveled to Africa with her father (Paul Nickels) on an expedition to study apes.  Attracted to the young, curious Tarzan, Jane openly stares at the young ape-man, and the sparks begin to fly.

As Tarzan learns that he is indeed human, he considers leaving the jungle to be with Jane. Jane’s expedition harbors a few unscrupulous types, and the arrogant and treacherous mercenary, Clayton (Caleb Christensen), just happens to be leading Jane’s.   Clayton is also intrigued by the ape-man as well as the apes that were previously unseen by Europeans.  Jane unwittingly leads Tarzan into a trap set by Clayton, who plans to capture Tarzan and the apes and bring the chained tribe back to England.

While the story is emotional and touches on parent-child, animal-human, and human-human relationships at its heart, it is still the power of love and good over evil.  The production never loses its whimsy, and although Tarzan is at the heart of the story, the show often comes across as an ensemble piece with performances by: Anna McNamara, Brittnee Rodgers, Brooke Serage, Camryn Andra, Capri Johnson, Casie Bearden, Cole Andra, Grace Wells, Grace Palfreyman, Jamie Cook, Keeley Ellsworth, Lainee Stevens, Lillian Cheney, Makayla Klumpp, Mason Stevens, Mattix Espinoza, Nathan Merrill, Sarah Ramaker, Tony Piersanti, and Zoey Chambers.

Directed by Kyle Myrick, choreography by McKenzie Morgan, music direction by Nicole Kimzey, costume design by Sammy Myrick, and Grace Wells with stage management by Karyn Wright.

Audiences should expect to be whisked away to the jungles of Africa within this magical, family-friendly production, which includes a few surprising staging effects. Tarzan plays in Hurricane City’s Fine Arts Center from July 30 through August 28, 2021.  The show is produced in part with the generous funds from the Hurricane City RAP tax and sponsorships from Tuacahn Amphitheater and the Tilted Kiln.

Tarzan plays Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays at 7 PM and Saturday Matinees at 2 PM from July 30 through August 28.  Tickets are $18 for adults 13 years and older, $8 for children ages 4-12, and $16 for seniors 65+.  Purchase tickets at www.HurricaneTheatrical.com or call 435-668-9753.