Tarzan's final swing
Tarzan's final swing
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
Tarzan's final swing#1
Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:42pm
Hey,
I saw the other thread, I know.. but it was all off kilter, so I just wanted to post. I will post a more complete.. thing.. later, but I do just want to send a major kudos and thanks out to the cast and crew of Tarzan for a great run and an amazing final bow and a huge thank you out to the staff at the Richard Rodgers Theatre... from box office to ushers and everyone else, they have to be the friendlist, most kind staff at any Broadway house.
More details to follow in a bit in another post.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
re: Tarzan's final swing#2
Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:03pm
Okay.. back for now! Ha!
The audience was packed, the energy was electric, and the curtain was 15 minutes late, but last night was a spot on performance as Tarzan. Nothing was help back and from top to bottom, everyone went for it with complete abandon. Thankfully, Jenn Gamabtese was able to return and the show was able to close with only several swings being on and all principals being present.
Bravo cast of Tarzan. Best wishes and hope to see you all back and better.. and very soon!
Say what you will about the show itself, but the cast of Tarzan is something special. After last night, no one can deny that. Any cast that brings together Jenn Gamby and Josh Strickland to Merle Dandrige and Chester Gregory to Rob Evan and has an ensmble of dancers with the skill and athletic prowess of Whitney Osentocki and Ven Daniel and the vocal fetas of Anastacia McClekey and Nicholas Rodriguez.. all wrapped together with a bond and connection they way thay have here is something not to be missed, no matter what the show.
All in all, a very, VERY emotional night. Thankfully, a certain CEO didn't try to make an appearance onstage at curtain call.. that would have been incredibly insulting to end the show on that note, but sadly, no curtain speech was made.
During the final moments of the last scene, there enough camera flashes to light MSG, but last night, it was a perfect photo-op. Hopefully I can get my paws on a few.
Hopefully these performers will be back in other v
re: Tarzan's final swing#2
Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:23pm
Best of luck to the cast and crew of Tarzan!!! I am sure that we will be seeing them on Broadway or on other projects very soon! It was about a year ago, that I attended my first Tarzan performance, and loved it. I just saw Tarzan again for the closing night performance, and have seen it many times. I have watched this show grow and evolve. Tarzan the musical has constantly made enhancements and I have noticed constant character development and performance growth by this cast during the past year. I truly enjoyed each and every performance that I attended. The closing show was outstanding. It was very emotional and was a true representation of how great this cast really is. Sunday night had the energy and excitement of a "special event." The cast of Tarzan did an amazing job, as always, and they should be very proud of their work this past year. The stage door was a mad house, but that was OK because I am glad that the cast was shown so much love by their fans. The cast, as always, was very friendly and made sure that each and every fan was greeted. I have commented already on other threads about how much I have enjoyed attending Tarzan performances and meeting the cast, and I am glad to express my praise again. The talent and friendliness of the Tarzan cast has made me a true and loyal fan, and I look forward to showing my support on their future projects. I wish them all the best!!!
Updated On: 7/9/07 at 02:23 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
re: Tarzan's final swing#3
Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:26pmYes, numerous small changes have been made to the show.. some minor staging.. others were new verses and endings to songs. Major changes were down the pipe.. how sad they won't been seen here.
re: Tarzan's final swing#4
Posted: 7/9/07 at 3:02pmI went there not expecting much, but I was thoroughly entertained. The kids in the audience laughed, and so did the adults. I was simply amazed! Jenn was fantastic. Her acting was splendid, and her voice was powerful and oh so wonderfully pure and beautiful!!! Josh Strickland - don't get me started - is nothing less than amazing! He has a strong yet soothing voice, undeniable stage presence, physical agility, and striking beauty! Merle Dandridge sang You'll Be in My Heart heart-wrenchingly! She is a powerhouse. Rob Evan was excellent, though I felt that he is much too talented to be in a gorilla costume. Watch out for that kid who played little Tarzan. He is going to be big!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
re: Tarzan's final swing#7
Posted: 7/9/07 at 3:06pm
Alan,
It was great that you enjoyed the show. You should have seen what the future HELD for Tarzan before this happened. The imagery of the first number wouldn't have let up by the time they were done 6 months from now.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
re: Tarzan's final swing#8
Posted: 7/9/07 at 3:12pmThe show was significantly better the 2nd time I saw it (last August), as opposed to the first preview. Still, a total disaster of a show (IMO), but even I can appreciate what they were going for and the talent of the people involved.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
re: Tarzan's final swing#9
Posted: 7/9/07 at 3:15pm
Yankee, a list of changes were made even from your second visit til now and an even bigger list of things was waiting to come in.
I will also say that Rob Evan is simoly incredible and found things in kerchak where Shuler never looked... he added SO much when he joined the show.
re: Tarzan's final swing#10
Posted: 7/9/07 at 3:20pmI agree with Broadwayguy. I went to the show on Friday night and really enjoyed Rob as Kerchak, much more than the 5 times I saw Schuler. Schuler wasn't bad, but Rob was better. Of course, no one was better than Josh. He was on fire Friday night and sounded great. I only wish I could have been there last night because I am sure he sounded even better.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
re: Tarzan's final swing#11
Posted: 7/9/07 at 3:20pm
I can imagine, considering that the Amsterdam production, I hear, is successful.
I was just glad that the intermission was 15 minutes the 2nd time. It was twenty-five or minutes when I first saw it...they had to set up the camp to trash as it was in the movie.
The detail in that scene was abandoned, I guess.
re: Tarzan's final swing#12
Posted: 7/9/07 at 3:33pmFriday night was definitely a great performance. They were all in top shape. I'm glad I got to experience it again before it closed. It's an amazingly talented cast that I hope will go on to big projects.
re: Tarzan's final swing#13
Posted: 7/9/07 at 4:02pm
"You should have seen what the future HELD for Tarzan before this happened. The imagery of the first number wouldn't have let up by the time they were done 6 months from now."
Broadwayguy,
It really is a shame that Tarzan did not have the time to fully "evolve." I heard similar news. I have discussed the changes with friends who have seen the Netherlands production, and apparently many of the enhancements that were potentially in store for the Broadway production would have been brilliant. But regardless of technical enhancements; the acrobatic, vocal and acting talent of the cast members were amazing.
Updated On: 7/9/07 at 04:02 PM
re: Tarzan's final swing#14
Posted: 7/9/07 at 4:29pmI just wanted to chime in and say that Rob Evan was a fantastic Kerchak. Last night was my first time seeing Rob in this show and I was incredibly impressed with what he brought to the role.
re: Tarzan's final swing#15
Posted: 7/9/07 at 4:40pm
WAT,
I totally agree! Rob Evan really did a great job as Kerchak. His performance had a perfect mix of strength and sensitivity. The chemistry between Rob and Merle was incredible, also. Rob really stepped into the part and made it his own.
re: Tarzan's final swing#16
Posted: 7/9/07 at 8:38pm
"Watch out for that kid who played little Tarzan. He is going to be big!"
Alan,
Alex Rutherford played little Tarzan that night. Yes, he does have a very bright future ahead of him. It is apparent that he has learned a tremendous amount about theatre during the past year. Alex really developed his vocals and acting abilities during his run with Tarzan, and I expect that we will see him on the stage again very soon.
re: Tarzan's final swing#17
Posted: 7/9/07 at 9:48pmWhat I'll take away from the show is Josh's performance and his sheer enthusiasm for the role and for giving his all the audience. The last time I saw the show in January, I sat third row, and I remember looking up at him while he hung in the rafters waiting for his next entrance, watching him wave and smile at everyone, including myself, that happened to be looking up at him. It was a sweet thing to see, because you could really see he was loving every moment of being on Broadway.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
re: Tarzan's final swing#18
Posted: 7/10/07 at 12:06amI agree that the cast of tarzan has truly evolved in their roles. It is a shame they recorded the soundtrack so early in the shows run. It just doesn't do the music and thier voices justice. By far, the entire cast, especially Josh are the friendliest Broadway cast I have ever met. He was so personable, humble, and truly appreciative of everyone who saw the show. He isn't bad to look at either:) I wish the cast nothing but the best. I am sure they will all move onto bigger and better things. Noticed on other thread, josh has some plans in the works. Anyone know what they are? I hope he doesn't leave broadway forever.
Leading Actor Joined: 1/24/07
re: Tarzan's final swing#19
Posted: 7/10/07 at 10:15amI'm sure if you check his website it will be posted. I believe the only few people who could know what they might be are the girls who run it.
re: Tarzan's final swing#18
Posted: 7/10/07 at 11:17pmi checked there, they said can't say yet, because nothing is definate. I guess i have to be patient.
Swing Joined: 5/17/06
re: Tarzan's final swing#19
Posted: 7/11/07 at 1:53pmJust wanted to add in Josh and Jenn had like a 5 minute kiss lol
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