The imaginative mind of Area Stage Artistic Director Giancarlo Rodaz continues to thrill audiences as the stage captures the sights and sounds of an African jungle in the Area Stage production of the two-act musical “Tarzan: The Stage Musical”, running now through August 10 in South Miami.
As was the case with Rodaz’s company staging the musicals “Annie”, “Beauty and the Beast” “Oliver” and “The Little Mermaid”” over the years, the unforgettable memories audiences take away from Rodaz’s productions is the feeling you are part of the world of the stage setting, In “Tarzan The Stage Musical” you can feel and hear the jumping, thumping and aerial dynamics of the gorillas and Tarzan moving and leaping in so many scenes.
“Tarzan The Stage Musical”, based on the 1999 animated film with music and lyrics by Phil Collins as well as the original novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, details the origins of how Tarzan was left an orphan when his parents were killed by a leopard. The bulk of the story details how Tarzan was raised in a family of gorillas as a child. When Tarzan (played by actor Coby Oram) becomes an adult, he meets, identifies with and falls in love with Jane (Siena Worland) and has to struggle with coming to grips if he is more of a gorilla or a man.
From left to right: Actors Coby Oram (Tarzan) and Katie Duerr (Kala) in “Tarzan The Stage Musical”, running now through August 10 at Area Stage in South Miami. Photo by Chase Wells.
There are many subplots that involve more characters, such as Tarzan’s gorilla foster parents Kala (Katie Duerr) and Kerchak (Frank Montoto) agonizing over whether Tarzan is part of the gorilla or human family, or the gorilla Terk (Imran Hylton) trying to avoid a bloodbath between gorillas and humans, the evil Clayton (Montano in a dual role) plotting to kill gorillas and Jane’s father Professor Porter (John Luia Mazuelos) admiring Tarzan but also fearing Jane will not return with him in England.
From left to right: Actors Sienna Worland (Jane) and Coby Oram in “Tarzan The Stage Musical”, running now through August 10 at Area Stage in South Miami. Photo by Chase Wells.
As the story develops, there are 15 songs that capture the motherly love of Kala and Tarzan, the attractions and admiration of Tarzan and Jane and the conflicts between the gorillas and humans. The most memorable songs include the hit ballad “You’ll Be In My Heart”, “For The First Time”, “Son of Man” and “Trashing The Camp”.
The cast not only conveyed deep emotions but also moved gracefully and quickly between audience members on the stage from scene to scene. The result was an unforgettable experience with a strong intimate bond formed between the audience and the actors.
Actor Coby Oram as Tarzan in “Tarzan The Stage Musical”, running now through August 10 at Area Stage in South Miami. Photo by Chase Wells
Standing out was Oram as Tarzan, leaping on a rope and prancing sound barefoot with the mannerisms of a gorilla, Oram spent more time crawling and walking unevenly as one would expect a gorilla to be in the jungle. Also standing out is Hylton in his comic relief as a very playful gorilla.
Worland is an innocent and glamorous Jane as the audience feels her onstage chemistry with Tarzan (Oram). Working offstage with Radaz in creating the intimate bond between audience and the cast were costume designers Paulina Lozano and Sofia Ortega, lighting designer Joe Naftal and set designer Raquel Dwight.
Although “Tarzan” has been well-known to audiences of all ages from the 1940s “Tarzan” feature films to the comic impersonations of “Tarzan” by Carol Burnett on her 1970s television show, Rodaz has created a new, unforgettable “Tarzan” in the Area Stage production that has heart, humanity and both comic and dramatic overtones.
“Tarzan The Stage Musical”, a two-act musical with music and lyrics by Phil Collins, is running now through August 10 at Area Stage, 5701 Sunset Drive in South Miami. Performances are from Thursdays through Sundays at 7 p.m. with additional matinee performances on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $52.75-$124.75. For tickets and more information, call 305-666-2078.
