Tarzan closes today

By Amy Somensky Jul 8, 2007, 0:45 GMT

A shipwreck leaves 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. ...more

New York: Tarzan plays its final performance today at the Richard Rogers Theater. Since opening on May 10, 2006 the production will have played 486 performances.

Disney Theatrical producer Thomas Schumacher said previously in a statement, "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. I know that as we continue to produce Tarzan around the world, audiences will embrace it with as much enthusiasm as we put into creating it."

Starring in the musical is Josh Strickland as Tarzan, Jenn Gambatese as Jane, Merle Dandridge as Kala, Rob Evan as Kerchak, Chester Gregory II as Terk, Timothy Jerome as Professor Porter, Donnie Keshawarz as Clayton, and Dylan Riley Snyder and Alex Rutherford as Young Tarzan.

The musical, based on the 1999 film, features direction and designs by Bob Crowley, book by Henry Hwang adapted from the screenplay by Tab Murphy, Bob Tzudiker, and Noni White and based on the novel Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

In the musical, a shipwreck leaves 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.

Choreography is by Meryl Tankard, flying/climbing design by Pichon Baldinu, lighting design by Natasha Katz, scenic and costume design by Bob Crowley, and sound design by John Shivers. Phil Collins, who wrote the score for the film, has written several additional songs for the musical.