“Tarzan : The Broadway Adventure” chronicles the misfire of Disney Theatrical’s latest musical

Jim Hill

18 years ago

I have to admit that I was somewhat startled by “Tarzan: The Broadway Adventure” (Disney Editions, March 2007).

By that I mean: Given that this behind-the-scenes book was written by Michael Lassell (Who did such a nice job with “Disney on Broadway: Aida, The Lion King and Beauty & the Beast” and “Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida: The Making of the Broadway Musical“), I knew that this 160-page hardcover would do a pretty thorough job of covering the development of Disney Theatrical‘s latest production.

But what genuinely surprised me about Lassell’s latest Broadway making-of book is how honest it is. In that Michael talks about the entire history of this show. Starting with Disney Theatrical’s original concept for “Tarzan.” Which was a traveling tent show much in the style of Cirque de Soleil, where the audience would sit in the round and literally have the Mouse’s newest musical unfolding all around them.

But in the end, the projected cost of this traveling version of “Tarzan” forced Disney Theatrical executives to reconsider their original vision for this show. Which is why they then opted to stage their newest musical in a traditional theater which was bound by a proscenium arch. But even then the creative team that DT head Thomas Schumacher had assembled (Which included Tony Award winners Bob Crowley & David Henry Hwang as well as Academy Award winner Phil Collins) still wanted to do something daring & extraordinary with “Tarzan.”

Which is why they then hired Pichón Baldinu to handle all of the aerial design in Disney’s newest musical. To make it appear as though the actors that DT had hired to play gorillas & butterflies in this show actually were flying through the air.

Of course, in order to pull off this particular illusion, the cast had to go through a pretty intense rehearsal period in order to learn how properly handle these flying rigs. (Please note the inflatable set in the photo below. This was to insure the safety of “Tarzan” ‘s ensemble. Since the show’s producers didn’t want their actors injuring themselves by swinging into the wings and then encountering a far-too-solid prop or flat).

Lassell truly does a superb job of walking us through the development phase of “Tarzan” ‘s rehearsal period. Starting with the very first rehearsals of this show ( Where Shuler Hensley and Merle Dandridge struggled to get a handle on how to properly portray Kerchak & Kala) …

… right through to the in-town previews for this new musical (Where the actors then had to get used to performing in their extremely revealing, rather stylized ape costumes).

And Michael (by making use of an extraordinary set of behind-the-scenes photographs) really does pull back the curtain on “Tarzan.” Showing us how many of the signature effects from Disney’s newest musical (Take — for example — that moment in the show where Jane is ensnared in a giant spider web high above the stage) were first mocked up in the rehearsal hall …

… and then fully realized in the final version of the show.

Lassell also lets us get to know a number of the members of the original Broadway cast of “Tarzan.” Particularly Josh Strickland (Who actually had to work out with a trainer for three months before Disney Theatrical execs would finally agreed that he had the necessary physique for Edgar Rice Burrough’s ape man) and Jenn Gambatese (Whose history with this show dates back to 2002, when she auditioned to play Jane in the very first “Tarzan” workshop).

Which is what makes “Tarzan : The Broadway Adventure” all the more involving. Given that Michael doesn’t gloss over the fact that Disney’s newest musical got pretty brutal reviews when it finally opened on Broadway back on May 10, 2006. Instead, Lassell talks about how …

“The high energy and good feeling that had pervaded every aspect of the production process took a little nap. The mood backstage grew quieter and more introspective — although the crowds of fans, shutterbugs, and autograph seekers did not diminish. To their credit, the cast did not react with anger, bitterness, depression, self-justification, or blame. Instead, they turned to each other for support. They put on their makeup and costumes and went out on stage to give the best performances they knew how to give.”

For this insight alone (I.E. How a cast muddles through those days directly following a less-than-impressive Broadway debut) Michael Lassell’s book is well worth adding to your Disneyana library. Now add to that all of the gorgeous professional shots that you’ll find inside this hardcover …

… Which shows the original Broadway cast of “Tarzan” going through their paces (Take — for example — the above image of Chester Gregory [center], who plays the role of Terk in the show. This photo shows Gregory leading the ensemble through the stage version of the “Trashin’ the Camp” number). And I think you’ll agree that this new Disney Editions book is really hard to resist.

Let me be blunt here, folks. While I may not have been all that enthusiastic about “Tarzan” (The Musical), I still enjoyed “Tarzan: The Broadway Adventure.” Thanks to Michael Lassell’s surprisingly honest account of how (in spite of a creative team that genuinely meant well) Disney Theatrical’s latest musical misfired.

Your thoughts?