Tarzan set design suggestions?

[showbiz287]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 1:10pm

Just out of curiousity, what would other people suggest be a better design of the Tarzan Jungle? more of like a playground perhaps? I'd like to hear people's opinions.

Updated On: 6/22/06 at 01:10 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 1:11pm

Realistic.

[zepka102]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 1:16pm

there are points when i feel the sets are beautiful.. mainly the treetop scene and when Jane and her father meet the gorillas. the lighting in those scenes really add to it. i think the sets could be improved with trees. i think a lot could be done around them.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 1:20pm

Get rid of all the "plants" and the "bugs" that look like they arrived on Broadway via an acid trip.

Get rid of the thick wires that all the apes "fly" on.

Get rid of EVERYTHING.

I will never forget the moment the lights came up and the set was revealed...my friend and I just looked at each other and said "Oh god...we're really in for it."

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 1:22pm

I agree with both previous posters. The hanging green "silly string" that covers the entire set looks cheap and unrealistic. Add some tree dioramas and create a forest for crying out loud. I also say lose the cheap looking spider that doesn't even move other than being lowered by a visible string. I know they can do better. Look at Audrey II for gosh sakes for some inspiration. Also, lose the day-glo paint and lighting. It's like a cheap bad haunted house.

[tophertilson]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 1:35pm

Here's a thought - maybe there is NO good way to do this story and this setting on a Broadway stage. No concept. No vision. Maybe the show never should have been attempted. Not every idea concocted has to be seen through to the end. Why would the supposedly bright people involved in this show EVER think it would work?

Sorry, I'm grumpy. But I'm still smarting from this lousy, lousy show.

TT

[zepka102]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 1:36pm

they should replace the spider/octopus (i think it looks like one) with an actor... i think it would look better. when the puppet is used for the leopard, it works for obvious reasons, but the puppet does NOT work for the spider. it's kind of sloppy in my opinion.

and since munk mentioned Jane's first scene, i agree. it's too much going on at once and its all too big.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 1:39pm

It's too much going on, but none if it is impressive.

I don't think the leopard thing works at all - the puppet OR the actor.

I totally agree with topher, I must admit.

And, it wouldn't hurt if they had a TARZAN that could do the entire show without a gerbil up his butt.

[showbiz287]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 1:41pm

so the jaguar is a puppet when it runs across the stage and leaps into the other side of the stage? or that's a person? If its a person, it sure moved like a real jaguar and freaked my freak! I guess I'm entertained easily...( I kinda have to agree, I never thought Tarzan to be "stage worthy" in the first place)

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 1:43pm

I don't remember the specific instances, but it's quite clear when the leopard is a puppet and when it is an actor - especially since they are two different sizes and look totally different.

Yet another bit of genius by Mr. Hack Crowley.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 1:52pm

What's up with the gerbil comment, Munk. I adore your frankness but that is pushing it. I enjoyed Josh and have no idea what you are referring to by saying he had a gerbil up his butt. Is that a comment on his performance or just being mean? Be constructive my friend.

[tgrabon]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 2:08pm

"And, it wouldn't hurt if they had a TARZAN that could do the entire show without a gerbil up his butt"

Munkustrap178 hit the nail on the head. I couldn't put into words a description of Josh Strickland's performance. Tarzan looks like he is in mild pain or uncomfortable for most of the show.

As for the set. It should be more like the animated film with branches jutting straight out of the back wall into the audience over the orchestra. It should be dark. Lose that 1970's pod swing.

The jaguar was OK with me and I was bummed when it was killed. The large black stuffed Hefty bag (spider)is lame. The big moths were OK but I didnt need to stare at them for 20 minutes.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 2:09pm

It refers to the old "myth" that people who like their...um...prostate tickled...would shove gerbils up their butts for some nice stimulation.

I was basically saying that Josh Strickland acts about as straight as a Liza Minnelli impersonator wearing sequins and roller skates singing "Mammie" while skating around the village...

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 2:44pm

"And, it wouldn't hurt if they had a TARZAN that could do the entire show without a gerbil up his butt."

lmfao, that is so blunt it's hysterical!

Quote of the day goes to munk!

Edit: I just got the cd and I have a question. Who opens the opening number? Is that Merle or Josh?

(that wasn't meant to be mean to either of them)

Updated On: 6/22/06 at 02:44 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 3:09pm

This board is so entertaining. Munk says that men (you can't say "people" because women don't have prostates) who like their prostates tickled, which should be pleasurable, put gerbils in their fanny.

Tgrabon says he agrees with the gerbil comment, but states that Tarzan looked like he was in pain. So is it pleasure or pain that Tarzan is in?

Tarzan was very masculine when I saw the show. Nothing like using stereoptypes like drag queens and gerbils in the fanny to denigrade a gay actor.

All this being said, I adore Munk and just had to respond to his comments. :)

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 3:26pm

I didn't mean to say that Josh looks like he is being pleasured during the show - it is quite the opposite - he looks lost and brooding.

I just mean to say that Josh is too feminine to play Tarzan.

But let's be honest, there are points where he's on all fours with his ass up in the air just begging for someone to come up behind him and stick something in.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 3:36pm

Munk has the insult correct, it's calling a man gay.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 4:06pm

Tarzan walks on all fours...now this makes him a bottom. :)