casting for TARZAN

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 8:35pm

Job Details
Title ECC/Singers-Tarzan
Category Performer
Description Tarzan Director: Bob Crowley
Choreographer: Meryl Tankard
Music and Lyrics: Phil Collins
Book: David Henry Hwang Music Producer: Paul Bogaev
Adapted from the screenplay by Tab Murphy and Bob Tzudiker and Noni White
Based on the novel "TARZAN OF THE APES" by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Associate Director: Jeff Lee
Casting: Bernard Telsey Casting
Broadway Production: 2005-06 Season

SEEKING:

ENSEMBLE SINGERS: Males and females, to play 20s – 40s. Seeking fantastic pop/rock singing voices and interesting personalities. Must be physical and agile. Will fly. Principal understudies will be assigned to various ensemble members for roles below:

TARZAN AS ADULT: To play male in his 20’s. Caught between the world of gorillas & world of humans, he is a human raised by a family of apes in the African jungle. We must identify with him and care about him and his emotional journey. Charming, sexy, vulnerable, lots of humanity, animal-like. Physically lean but toned, a swimmer’s body — not a muscle man. Strong upper body strength, physical, agile, fearless, must be very comfortable with movement. His body must be at one with the environment. Will fly. Needs a terrific Pop / Rock singing voice.
LEAD

JANE: To play English female in her 20’s. Attractive, vulnerable, gutsy, lots of vitality, adventurous, fearless, funny, and beguiling. The new woman of her time. Very witty with great comic timing and a wonderful energy, but also has a Victorian sweetness and refinement. Her falling in love for the first time —with TARZAN — is overwhelming to her. Must be game and be willing to be physical as JANE transforms into someone very courageous. Will fly. Needs a terrific Pop / Rock singing voice.
LEAD

KALA: To play female in her 30’s. Mother figure to TARZAN, with a fierceness, determination, and strong will. Through the passage of time she evolves into a mature, unconditionally loving figure with a big heart and great warmth. Although this character is a gorilla, seeking someone who’ll provide much acting skill and presence (not an actor hiding behind a costume). Will fly. Needs a terrific Pop / Rock singing voice.
LEAD

KERCHAK: To play male in his 30’s or 40’s. Father figure to TARZAN and the patriarch of his family and of the jungle. A physically impressive warrior. Although this character is a gorilla, we are seeking someone who’ll provide much acting skill and presence (not an actor hiding behind a costume). Will fly. Needs a terrific Baritone Pop / Rock singing voice with lots of soul.
LEAD

CLAYTON: To play English male in his 30’s. A classic, smooth villain. Handsome, sexual, and charming. He is in love with JANE and out to destroy the gorillas. Needs a terrific Pop / Rock singing voice.
SUPPORTING

TERK: To play male in his 20’s or 30’s. Always on the fringe, awkward, self-aware, ironic — a semi-genius, but the sort who is always picked last for a team. Grateful to TARZAN, without whom he would surely be on the bottom rung. Must be funny, witty, unique, adventurous, and game. Although this character is a gorilla, seeking someone who’ll provide much acting skill and presence (not an actor hiding behind a costume). Must also be physical and agile. Will fly. Needs a terrific Pop / Rock singing voice.
SUPPORTING

PORTER: To play English male in his 50’s or 60s. JANE’s dad. Eccentric, funny, whimsical, absent-minded. Needs a pleasant character singing voice.
SUPPORTING

TARZAN AS CHILD: To play male, 9 – 11-ish. The younger version of TARZAN. A sweet, wide-eyed boy who is seeking approval. A vibrant, freak-of-nature personality. Must be physical, agile, and game for anything. Will fly. Needs a terrific boy Soprano singing voice.
SUPPORTING
Job Start Date
Job End Date
Union Information
Salary $1381 Minimum

Company -
Address New York, NY -
US

Contact EPA

Respond Method(s) At Audition

Audition Information When: June 1, 2005
10:00am, Male singers
2:30pm, Female singers
Where: Chelsea Studios

151 West 26th Street, 6th Floor
Notes/What to bring: Please prepare 16 bars of a contemporary pop/rock song showing range. Please bring sheet music and your photo and resume stapled together. A piano accompanist will be provided.


NOTE: We encourage performers of all cultural backgrounds to attend.

[PhantomMag234]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 8:44pm

Cheaneyne Jackson would be great as Tarzan! I can picture British Actress Katie Knight Adams as Jane but I don't know if she can handle Pop/Rock Music.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 9:03pm

Wow - that's a demanding show. EVERYONE flies.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 9:22pm

I assume the principals have already been cast since the Casting Call seems to only be looking for ensemble members and understudies for the leads.

[BluCat500]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 9:27pm

"A vibrant, freak-of-nature personality"

Now there's a "colorful" description.