Overview
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.
Show Information
- Book
- David Henry Hwang
- Music
- Phil Collins
- Lyrics
- Phil Collins
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- "Tarzan of the Apes" by Edgar Rice Burroughs
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- 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
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Diverse Cast, Regional Theatre, Professional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Child, Early Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
|
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
Songs
Act One
- "Two Worlds" – Tarzan, Mother, Father, Kala, Kerchak, and Ensemble
- "You'll Be In My Heart" – Kala and Ensemble
- "Jungle Funk" – Ensemble
- "Who Better Than Me?" – Young Tarzan and Terk
- "No Other Way" – Kerchak
- "I Need to Know" – Young Tarzan
- "Son of Man" – Terk, Kala, Tarzan, and Ensemble
- "Son of Man (Reprise)" – Terk and Ensemble
- "Sure As Sun Turns to Moon" – Kala and Kerchak
- "Waiting for This Moment" – Jane and Ensemble
- "Different" – Tarzan and Jane
Act Two
- "Trashin' the Camp" – Terk and Ensemble
- "Like No Man I've Ever Seen" – Jane and Professor Porter
- "Strangers Like Me" – Tarzan, Jane, and Ensemble
- "For the First Time" – Jane and Tarzan
- "Who Better Than Me? (Reprise)" – Terk and Tarzan
- "Everything That I Am" – Tarzan, Kala, Young Tarzan, and Ensemble
- "You'll Be In My Heart (Reprise)" – Tarzan and Kala
- "Sure As Sun Turns to Moon (Reprise)" – Kala and Tarzan
- "Two Worlds (Finale)" – Tarzan, Jane, and Ensemble
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
A production in which musical numbers and dances are fully integrated into a proper narrative with defined dramatic goals.
A production designed especially to show off the talents of a particular performer.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher