If you've seen Tarzan...- Page 2

[Stphen1187]

Posted: 7/1/06 at 4:32am

I completely agree about 'Tarzan' being poorly written and spectacle-based, but I don't think it's fair to criticize it for the latter when the current longest-running musical in Broadway history climaxes with a mammoth chandelier descending from the mezzanine to the stage. With that said, I certainly think that 'The Phantom of the Opera' is much more well-thought and coherent than 'Tarzan,' but Broadway is all about spectacle today. I saw 'Tarzan' this past Wednesday, and have very mixed feelings about the show: first off, the first five or six minutes are visually incredible (when Tarzan's parents are shipwrecked), but I sort of lost interest after my 37th near-collision with a swinging "ape" (did I mention I sat front row center...rush this show!! It's not worth the regular ticket price). The Phil Collins songs that I remember from the movie ("You'll Be In Me Heart," "Son of Man," "Strangers Like Me," etc.), in my opinion, translated better to the stage then some of the songs written for the stage musical. Jenn Gambatese's introductory song "Waiting for this Moment" is kind of ridiculous. The lyrics are the scientific terms for all of the plants that she's studied. I thought the cast did an honorable job with the material, which isn't as bad as it's been made out to be by some of the harsher critics. If anything, the Broadway community is still bitter about 'Beauty and the Beast' and the whole corporate musical fiasco in the mid-90s, and I think alot of people emphasize Disney's mistakes because they don't like that it's become such an empire. For me, 'Tarzan' had it's moments, and I'd see it again for $20 seats, but it doesn't hold a candle to other Disney musicals like 'Beauty and the Beast' or 'The Lion King.'

[broadwayboy522]

Posted: 7/1/06 at 1:33pm

I didn't want to start up another thread so i was going to ask my question on this one. Could anyone tell me who performs as Young tarzan on Friday nights?

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 7/1/06 at 6:05pm

While I don't have any desire to see the show (seems like a general let-down in most ways), I did purchase the cast recording and enjoy it. The songs from the film were always fun, but I think I like them better in the voices of the characters onstage, rather than sung by Phil Collins (as in the film soundtrack). Surprisingly, I like several of the new additions for the stage production. Nothing brilliant, no, but enjoyable.

[ElphabaRose]

Posted: 7/1/06 at 7:12pm

Daniel (I'm blanking on his last name) plays Fridays and is phenominal (I was there last Friday).

[broadwayboy522]

Posted: 7/1/06 at 7:21pm

Kool Thanx

[[e-mail]]

Posted: 7/1/06 at 11:05pm

what corporate fiasco involving Beauty & The Beast are you referring to? I don't see why the Broadway community is so bitter about Beuaty & the Beast, Lion King Maybe, but Beauty & The Beast is closer to a Classic Broadway Musical than most shows to have been performed in the past 20 years...

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 7/1/06 at 11:32pm

Although Im not a fan of Disney shows (except for Aida) I must admit I had a great time at this show, mostly because of the artists. Jenn Gambatese is a fabulous singer, just seeing her in the show is worth the ticket admission. Marlene Dendridge is great, although her songs in Rent were a lot more powerful and showcased her belt a lot more. Josh Strickland is a very talented singer as well, and I loved Tim Jerome. Donnie Keshawartz is a great actor, and very hot too =) A great evening at the theatre.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/1/06 at 11:45pm

I agree, muscle. The show was great. Can't wait to see it again!

[Stphen1187]

Posted: 7/2/06 at 12:57am

I was referring to how Disney cleaned up 42nd Street (which has always been historically seedy)and renovated the New Amsterdam Theatre for 'The Lion King' as part of a mass corporate venture to "Disneyfy" Broadway. Prior to that with 'Beauty and the Beast' in 1994, the musical was poorly received by the Broadway community and won no Tony Awards (aside from Anne Hould-Ward's costumes). I read an interview with Susan Egan where she discussed how the show was shunned by the Broadway community because it was one of the first corporate musicals. 12 years later, Broadway has become increasingly corporate so it may not seem as big a deal. With 'Tarzan' (which I'd heard rumors surpassed 'Wicked' in production expenses), it's that much easier to point the finger because it's not as solid as the prior Disney musicals, all of which have enjoyed at least moderate success.

[Stphen1187]

Posted: 7/2/06 at 12:57am

Updated On: 7/2/06 at 12:57 AM

[Stphen1187]

Posted: 7/2/06 at 12:57am

I was referring to how Disney cleaned up 42nd Street (which has always been historically seedy)and renovated the New Amsterdam Theatre for 'The Lion King' as part of a mass corporate venture to "Disneyfy" Broadway. Prior to that with 'Beauty and the Beast' in 1994, the musical was poorly received by the Broadway community and won no Tony Awards (aside from Anne Hould-Ward's costumes). I read an interview with Susan Egan where she discussed how the show was shunned by the Broadway community because it was one of the first corporate musicals. 12 years later, Broadway has become increasingly corporate so it may not seem as big a deal. With 'Tarzan' (which I'd heard rumors surpassed 'Wicked' in production expenses), it's that much easier to point the finger because it's not as solid as the prior Disney musicals, all of which have enjoyed at least moderate success.

[Stphen1187]

Posted: 7/2/06 at 12:57am

I was referring to how Disney cleaned up 42nd Street (which has always been historically seedy)and renovated the New Amsterdam Theatre for 'The Lion King' as part of a mass corporate venture to "Disneyfy" Broadway. Prior to that with 'Beauty and the Beast' in 1994, the musical was poorly received by the Broadway community and won no Tony Awards (aside from Anne Hould-Ward's costumes). I read an interview with Susan Egan where she discussed how the show was shunned by the Broadway community because it was one of the first corporate musicals. 12 years later, Broadway has become increasingly corporate so it may not seem as big a deal. With 'Tarzan' (which I'd heard rumors surpassed 'Wicked' in production expenses), it's that much easier to point the finger because it's not as solid as the prior Disney musicals, all of which have enjoyed at least moderate success.

[Stphen1187]

Posted: 7/2/06 at 1:01am

Sorry about that being reposted four times...my computer is seriously misbehaving!!

[BroadwayBrat]

Posted: 7/2/06 at 10:58pm

Overall, the show was ok. I think having the stage look so spartan, that it took all the emotion out of the show.

In the film, you feel many emotions. You pain for Tarzan because he doesn't feel like he fits in with the animals or humans. You understand the joy AND pain the mother feels when she knows she must show him the truth about his family. I did not get any of those feelings in the show. The cast gives 100%, but something (well, several things) in the show is not working. I think it lacks any kind of feeling except wondering where all the money went for the show. It didn't go into set design..... :)

[BroadwayBrat]

Posted: 7/2/06 at 11:01pm

And.......too much flying. I too also almost got kicked in the head by a swinging person/ape/thing. The GIANT spider didn't make much sense either. OK, I'm done.