Tarzan Review 6-1-06

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 1:59pm

This is my first review, so I will try to be succinct. I saw Tarzan on Thursday, June 1st and I have to say that "Two Worlds" is a perfect moniker for the show. It has some of the most gorgeous and moving elements I have seen in a theatre in a long time, as well as some dismal ones. It vacillates between perfection and a total mess. Overall, I think the show works mainly due to performances alone.

I will speak to the performances first. Everyone gives 150 percent. Josh Strickland and Merle Dandridge really do deserve a Tony nod. No, the writing is not expectional, but they are beautiful singers with gorgeous voices and the physicality of their roles (and all of the actors playing apes) is stunning. I tried to walk on my toes and hands for 30 seconds in my hotel room. It was damn near impossible. They do it for two hours and even sprint across the stage. Not to mention the flying. Keep in mind, these folks are actors, not acrobats, who were previously doing Mamma Mia and are now flying from the rafters. These folks deserve kudos big time for working outside their comfort zone. Josh and Merle deliver heartbreaking performances without a doubt. See it before they leave the show if you wish to see it.

The supporting players are good as well. Jenn Gambatese is adorable and has a stunning voice. Of course, the book doesn't give her much to do, but she shines and swoons. She's a lovely ingenue with great comic timing. She'll get a Tony without a doubt sometime. Hopefully soon.

The staging is where I encountered the most negative reactions. After seeing the opulence of Beauty and the Beast and the Lion King, Tarzan's set and props come away looking awful cheap. The animals,the flowers and the giant black widow are shabby looking. Also, the hideous "day-glo" effect of most of the sets and creatures gets old very quickly. It looks cheap and it reminiscent of one of those crappy haunted houses at a carnival where things are sprayed with day-glo paint.

Tarzan may also loses points from anyone who's seen a Cirque show or De La Guarda. The stunts are swinging, which are commendable on the actors part, but lose their punch after the initial launch into the audience.

I felt the opening was overstimulating and initially made me worry that I would dislike the show. It was loud, hyper, and the amazing opening sequence was lost on much of the audience because it started without warning-no overture to lull the audience and prepare them for the show to start. Some people were still being seated.

Overall, I think Tarzan is worth seeing for the lovely performances of Josh, Jenn, and Merle. All of the actors, but namely the leads are brave and bold actors really pushing their limits and working outside of their comfort zone. The effects are ok, but I'm not all about the effects. I like actors with heart. These three have it in spades.

From the reaction of the audience, this show will run for a long time. They went wild and the children adored it. I think it is nice that children be presented with an opportunity to dream, aspire and be thrilled. This production seems to give children joy and then respectively their caregivers who love to see thier kids happy.

The show has great themes and anyone who has ever felt like and outsider or "other" will relate. Themes of difference, love, tolerance, and acceptance are a high premium in the piece. The theatre was collectively sobbing at the end, including myself, much to my surprise, thanks to Josh and Merle. Themes of family and maternal love and loss are explored as well. The musical definitely has some dark themes and some sexual heat. It surpised me on many levels. There are both jubilant and heartbreaking moments. I've met so many people who dismiss it in one word referring to it as a "mess", "a joke" or a "waste of time." I don't think it can't be quantified that easily.


Tarzan may not knock Broadway or jaded theatre goers on their backside, but if you can tap into your inner child or that part of you that once felt different or other you may have a small catharsis watching some brave actors putting it on the line for an appreciative crowd.
Bravo.

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 4:40pm

Great review. Very well thought out and fair :)

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 4:55pm

THanks! GREAT GREAT review, esp first time round!

[liotte]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 5:17pm

Thanks for the review! Glad you enjoyed the show!

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 7:10pm

Nice review!

:)

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 8:57pm

Nice review. I hope I can see this show on my trip in December.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 9:02pm

Thanks for the review. I want to see the show too.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 9:11pm

Thanks for the review! I saw the show today and loved it.

I actually asked Chester about the flying and swinging (he has to sing upside down during 'Trashin' the Camp'). He said they went through a kind of 'boot camp' to learn how to do that.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 10:51pm

Oh God.
Don't let munk see this

[justafan2]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 2:27pm

bettyboy72----I saw Tarzan yesterday and agree with your review completely. The performances were amazing----high energy, talent, singing. I did, however, enjoy the opener---it led me to believe that it would be quite involved----the set, books, etc. Unfortunately, after they "washed ashore", it was like looking into a cardboard box. The set was toyish and very simple. The music seemed to repeat itself---every number was high in synthesizer volume. (almost like Mamma Mia---which, I have to admit, I enjoy---but it's designed to be music-in-your-
face). The leads (Josh, etc.,) gave their all----and I really appreciated it. They aren't responsible for the book, sets, etc. The lighting was incredibly good---
All in all, not a bad show, not a great show---it had very good moments---just when I'd start to get bored, there would be one of those moments. The children in the row ahead of me alternated between giddy and sleepy.
I'm glad I saw it, but once is probably enough for me.