Tarzan to close on 8 Jul 2007

Disney's Broadway musical Tarzan has posted early closing notices. The show, which was booking through to 16 Dec 2007 will play its last performance on 8 Jul 2007. When the musical closes it will have played 35 previews and 486 performances.

Tarzan began previews at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on 24 Mar 2006, and opened on 10 May 2006.

The musical opened to mostly poor to luke-warm reviews: "Almost everybody and everything swings in 'Tarzan.' Which is odd, since the show itself definitely ain't got that swing.� (New York Times), "Wouldn't make the grade as a ride at Disney World." (New York Daily News), "The show is emotionally and musically lightweight � almost as skimpy as Tarzan's leather loincloth" (Associated Press). "If you're looking for a musical that'll please kids of a wide age range, and one the adults will enjoy as well, this is it."
(newyorktheatreguide.com).

The show has been struggling at the box office, with most weeks receiving just over 70% house capacity, which is low for a Disney musical.

Disney Theatrical producer Thomas Schumacher said, "I am disappointed that the Broadway production of Tarzan will close earlier than any of us had hoped, and I would have loved for it to have been as successful in New York as it is now in Holland. Despite this, Tarzan was the Broadway debut for two artists I have long admired and respected, and for this I am extremely proud. The opportunity to work again with the legendary Phil Collins, who expanded his film score for the stage production, and with Bob Crowley in his Broadway directorial debut has been hugely gratifying."

The production stars Josh Strickland as Tarzan, Jenn Gambatese as Jane, Merle Dandridge as Kala, Rob Evans as Kerchak, Chester Gregory II as Terk, Timothy Jerome as Professor Porter and Donnie Keshawarz as Clayton. Dylan Riley Snyder and Alex Rutherford alternate in the role of Young Tarzan.

Directed and designed by Tony Award winner Bob Crowley, Tarzan has a book by David Henry Hwang and a score by Phil Collins.

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.

In Tarzan, a shipwreck leave an infant orphaned on the West African shore. The helpless baby is taken under the protection of a gorilla tribe and becomes part of their family. When he eventually encounters his first human - Jane Porter, a curious young explorer - both their worlds are transformed forever.