Tarzan 8/9 Matinee Re-Review

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 6:51pm

I never thought I'd say this, but the show has gotten a lot better. Granted, I saw it for the first time back in April, while it was still in previews. There are still bugs in the show, don't get me wrong, but it's a lot more entertaining than it was.

The front row seats add a totally new element to the show. Jim Abbott, the conductor/musical director, is great to talk to!

The cast ranges from greatto characiture. Jenn Gamby falls into the "excellent" category. She has a definite stage presence, she seems the most comfortable in her role. However, her English accent has not improved, thereby hindering her performance. Her singing voice is much better. Josh Strickland, Merle Dandridge, and Chester Gregory fall into the "good" category. They're doing very well, they've grown into their parts. Shuler Hensley fall into the "approaching" category. Shuler still looks uncomfortable as Kerchack. In the "characiture" category fall Tim Jerome and Donnie Keschawitz, in parts not fit for man nor beast. They're poorly written and developed, etc.

The book is atrocious, the set is still green, and the music is still "eh." The flying is a lot of fun to watch, but after the first 10 minutes, we get used to it.

The upside is that as bad as the book is, they've managed to cut everything that was unnecessary. It's a much tighter show, which is great compared to what it was back in April.

I think the major improvement is how comfortable they all are in their surroundings. The movement isn't awkward, they're not getting used to the flying. Now, they're just having fun.

And so is the audience.
Updated On: 8/9/06 at 06:51 PM

[liotte]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 6:56pm

Glad you changed your mind and enjoy the show better now. Now we can be fellow Yankees fans again :)

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 7:02pm

Lotte, I KNEW you'd be the first to post! :)

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 7:05pm

Glad youliked the show! I'm also glad it seems to be shaping up. My brother wants to go see it again, so I told him we could go.

[Johnnytoc]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 7:09pm

I'm very excited to see this this friday.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 8:06pm

Just a quick aside: Tim Jerome was giving out anti-G.W. Bush buttons at the stage door to whoever asked for one. They read "Bush is Whack. Impeach him."

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 8:29pm

Awesome! I love Tim!

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 8:42pm

I am glad you liked it more!

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 10:50pm

Who was on for Little Tarzan?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 10:52pm

The note in the Pit said Alex was on, but Daniel's name is in the Playbill for Wednesday matinees & signed autographs at the stage door.
Updated On: 8/9/06 at 10:52 PM

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 10:55pm

Yaay for Yankee fans who are Tarzan fans!

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 12:32pm

im glad you liked the show much better! i really dont see why people bash parts of this though, like i think the green set is great, and there are so many awesome set pieces and such too like the waterfall, and all that junk. i also thought that jenn's english accent was perfectly fine, but thats just me. she did a great job, though, and is very comfortable in her role as you said. yeah, i dont think this show is near as bad as everyone says.
anyhow, just my opinions, but yeah, glad you like the show better!
:)

[parislover87]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 3:18pm

it was awesome doing student rush with you... those seats made the show a lot better probably... now all i need is josh's fanmail address so that i can make him love me

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 5:09pm

I just got my OBCR of this......and I LOVE it, I was really surprised I liked the music so much

Updated On: 8/16/06 at 05:09 PM