Tarzan: full cast announced

The full cast has been announced for Tarzan, a new musical presented by Disney Theatrical Productions, opening on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on the 10 May 2006, following previews from the 24 Mar 2006.

The production will star Josh Strickland as Tarzan, Jenn Gambatese as Jane, Merle Dandridge as Kala, Shuler Hensley as Kerchak, Chester Gregory II as Terk, Timothy Jerome as Professor Porter and Donnie Keshawarz as Clayton. Daniel Manche and Alex Rutherford will alternate in the role of Young Tarzan.

The musical will also feature Darrin Baker, Marcus Bellamy, Celina Carvajal, Dwayne Clark, Veronica deSoyza, Kearran Giovanni, Michael Hollick, Joshua Koback, Kara Madrid, Kevin Massey, Anastasia McCleskey, Rika Okamoto, Marlyn Ortiz, Whitney Ostenoski, John Oyzon, Andy Pellick, Angela Phillips, Stefan Raulston, Horace Rogers, Sean Samuels, Nick Sanchez, Niki Scalera, Natalie Silverlieb, J.D. Aubrey Smith and Rachel Stern.

Two-time Tony Award winner Bob Crowley (Aida, Carousel), will direct and design scenery and costumes for Tarzan. Oscar and six-time GRAMMY Award winner Phil Collins has written the music and lyrics, expanding his songs for Disney�s film into a complete theatre score. Tony Award-winner David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly) has written the book, adapted from the screenplay by Tab Murphy, Bob Tzudiker and Noni White and based on the novel, Tarzan of the Apes, by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Choreography is by Meryl Tankard, with aerial movement by Pich�n Baldinu (De La Guarda). Lighting design is by Tony Award-winner Natasha Katz (Aida) and sound design is by John Shivers. Other members of the creative team include Paul Bogaev (Music Producer/ Vocal Arrangements) and Doug Besterman (Orchestrations).

�The creative team for Tarzan has re-imagined, and in some cases, reinvented characters from the original Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, and Disney�s animated film,� commented Thomas Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical Productions. �We hope to bring a fresh perspective to the Tarzan legend, and we think that we have found a wonderful cast to make these roles their own.�

More than 90 years ago, Edgar Rice Burroughs introduced Tarzan to the world in the October 1912 issue of �All Story Magazine.� The character was an instant sensation. Since then, he has been featured in 26 authorized novels and more than 44 motion pictures. Now Disney Theatrical Productions brings Tarzan to the Broadway stage.

Phil Collins composed five songs for the 1999 film, �Disney�s Tarzan,� including �Two Worlds, One Family,� �Strangers Like Me,� and �You�ll Be In My Heart,� which won the 2000 Academy Award for Song of the Year, spent 10 weeks as No1 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart, and was No1 in 14 countries. The soundtrack went double platinum, while the film went on to instant international success, grossing $447 million worldwide, with subsequent DVD sales in excess of 13 million units.

Collins, who makes his Broadway songwriting debut with Tarzan, has written music and lyrics for eight new songs for the Broadway production, in addition to his film score.

Although he has directed in his native Ireland, Bob Crowley makes his Broadway directorial debut with Tarzan. Crowley's recent work includes his Tony Award-winning scenery for Aida and set design for Mary Poppins in London.

Brief cast bio:

Josh Strickland (Tarzan) has been seen on television on Star Search 2004 and American Idol, and has also appeared in the national tour of Rent. Strickland will make his Broadway debut in Tarzan.

Jenn Gambatese (Jane) starred on Broadway last season in All Shook Up, and has also appeared in Broadway�s Hairspray, A Year with Frog and Toad and Footloose.

Merle Dandridge (Kala) has been seen on Broadway in Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar and Aida and the national tours for Aida, Ain�t Misbehavin� and Smokey Joe�s Caf�.

Shuler Hensley (Kerchak) won the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Olivier Awards for his critically acclaimed performance as Jud Fry in Oklahoma! and has also starred in Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera.

Chester Gregory II (Terk) made his Broadway debut in Hairspray and also appeared in the national tour of The Jackie Wilson Story.

Timothy Jerome (Professor Porter) has appeared on Broadway in Me and My Girl, Grand Hotel, Phantom of the Opera, La Boheme and Disney�s Beauty and the Beast.

Donnie Keshawarz (Clayton) has been featured on Broadway in Taboo, and has been seen on television in Lost, 24 and The Sopranos.

Daniel Manche (Young Tarzan at certain performances) made his Broadway debut in Roundabout�s revival of Nine. His television credits include Law & Order: Criminal Intent and SVU, All My Children and Guiding Light.

Alex Rutherford (Young Tarzan at certain performances) made his Broadway debut as Chip in Disney�s Beauty and the Beast, after appearing in the role in the show�s national tour.