Tarzan

Musical

Writers: David Henry Hwang Phil Collins

Overview

Show Information

Music
Lyrics
Based on the Play/Book/Film
"Tarzan of the Apes" by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Category
Musical
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2006
Genres
Romance, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
Settings
Multiple Settings, Period
Time & Place
West Africa, Late nineteenth century
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
Musical Staging
Ideal for
College/University, Diverse Cast, Regional Theatre, Professional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male
Casting Notes
Mostly male cast
Includes young adult, adult, mature adult, child, early teen characters

Synopsis

On the shores of West Africa, a baby boy is orphaned when his shipwrecked parents become the victims of a fierce leopard. He is taken in and raised by a family of gorillas who have recently lost their own baby to the same predator. They name him Tarzan, and he grows up as one of the pack. However, his foster father, Kerchak remains wary of having a human in the jungle. When an expedition of human explorers and naturalists enter the jungle, Tarzan encounters creatures like himself for the first time. As he learns about human life and grows increasingly enamoured of Jane, a young naturalist, Tarzan begins to realize that they are not so different. However, Tarzan and Jane’s relationship threatens the safety of the gorillas and the couple must decide where they truly belong. With a book by David Henry Hwang and music by Phil Collins, Disney’s celebrated animated adventure Tarzan receives the Broadway treatment.

Lead Characters


Tarzan guide sections