By Christy Hudson
I had never experienced a Pickleville Playhouse production before, but I would say my first venture to the theater in Garden City was a success, with a viewing of their version of Tarzan. The musical is based on the 1999 animated Disney film, which itself is based on the 1912 novel Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The stage musical of Tarzan originally premiered on Broadway in 2006. It includes the songs we know from the movie that were written by Phil Collins, who also came back to write some new songs for the musical. The book is by David Henry Hwang.
Pickleville Playhouse is owned by Andrea Davis, whose parents started the theater in 1977. It is not huge, which creates a close, more intimate experience. The actors, in costume, are the ushers, which generates a more relaxed atmosphere, and helps reinforce the family-friendliness of the theater. They also serve a meal with every performance at their outdoor grill. The dinner offered with Tarzan is a Mexican fiesta. I did not get a chance to try it, but I definitely will if I get the chance to make the trip back to the Pickleville Playhouse another summer.
Pickleville Playhouse’s production of Tarzan is directed by Derek Davis. Kyle Blanchard stars as Tarzan, and I have to say, he really pulls off the whole ape-man thing (in the best way). It is hilarious to see Tarzan try to understand the ways of these new people like him, with his complete disregard of personal boundaries. Blanchard is both macho and endearing in his portrayal, and as Tarzan literally “journeys from boy to man,” Blanchard literally swings in.
If you have seen the stage version of Tarzan before, or have listened to the Original Broadway Cast Recording, you may notice a few changes and edits that have been made. When the character Jane Porter first makes an entrance, she typically sings a song entitled “Waiting for this Moment,” in which she takes in the beauty of the African jungle with barely-contained excitement. I personally like this song. However, this production chose not to include it. At first, I was a little confused, and a little disappointed, because I like the way the song introduces Jane. But when the scene continued without it, I realized it was fine for this production not to have included it. The sole reason of this is because Kenzie Davis, the actress playing Jane, is immediately loveable, from the moment she enters partway through Act One. The musical number may include fun jungle visuals, but Davis still gives us all we need to know about Jane without it. Within minutes, Jane’s enthusiasm for studying the jungle wildlife and her adorable nerdiness for scientific discovery emanates through her fast-paced talking and inability to contain her excitement. Davis creates a memorable and delightful portrayal of Jane, and it is hard not to enjoy every scene that includes her.
The actors’ voices harmonize beautifully in every musical number. In particular, Alexa Brian, who plays Tarzan’s mother Kala, really shines in all of her songs. Her rendition of “You’ll Be in My Heart” is beautiful, and her matronly portrayal of Kala is incredibly touching.
Act Two starts off strong with the company number “Trashin’ the Camp”. Zach Waters plays Terk, Tarzan’s ape-pal, who leads the gorillas in, well, trashing the humans’ camp. Waters is full of energy, and he is so much fun to watch. He also lets out some powerful riffs in his musical numbers. This song, as well as the other dance numbers, are filled with energy. Choreographer Sharli King has made the gorillas the best dancing apes (I’m assuming) in Utah. Not every choreographer gets to include acting like monkeys in their dance numbers, and she does so very effectively and entertainingly.
The cast also includes Jordan Pearson as Kerchak, who has a very powerful presence in the role. Mac Brough plays the charming Young Tarzan with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. James Oswald is Mr. Porter, Jane’s sweet, adorkable father. His portrayal is funny and delightful, and so enjoyable to watch. The villain Clayton is played by Slater Ashenhurst, who is definitely menacing in the role.
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The ensemble is not terribly big, which really works for the small space. It is a good example of why shows don’t necessarily require a big cast to have a good production. Sometimes bigger is not better. There are only four members of the ensemble: Summer Farnsworth, Kennedy Johnson, Chase Andreae, and Jordan Larsen, playing the gorilla family. And all of them are very convincing gorillas (again, in the best way). The set consists of ropes and hoops hanging from the ceiling on which the gorillas climb, swing, and hang upside-down. It reminds me of the way real apes play on their toys in zoo exhibits. It’s a really enjoyable effect.
The lighting and sound has a big impact on the tone set in each individual scene. Lighting Designer Tanner Funk and Sound Designers Tim Jordan and Spencer Bauman utilize these effects throughout the show to help us know what the characters are feeling and thinking, and to establish different moods from scene to scene. The costumes, designed by Whitley Davis, create an authentic gorilla vibe, with the thick fringe hanging from them swaying like gorilla hair when they move and dance. I like the added touch of the gorilla masks, which do not cover the actors’ faces, but are worn on their heads in a way that reminds me of the classic costume design from another Disney Broadway musical, The Lion King.
One of the greatest things about plays or movies, or really any kind of visual art, is the themes that come through from the artists to the audience. The Disney film Tarzan touches on the meaning of family, and the musical expounds on it even further, making it central to all of the relationships. When Tarzan brings Jane to meet Kala, and she understands that Kala is his mother, she says, “I hardly knew my mother. Growing up here, you had everything.” Jane knows that Tarzan lived without civilization and technology, but she recognizes that, because he has his family, he has everything he has ever needed. Tarzan is a family show, in really all meanings of the word.
Pickleville Playhouse’s production of Tarzan is fun and adventurous. The cast and crew manage to turn a small space into an African jungle, and it is altogether an enjoyable experience. It’s great entertainment for families, and I think people of any age can really have a good time there. It may have been my first time going, but I know it is the kind of place that brings a lot of people back year after year.
Pickleville Playhouse presents Disney’s Tarzan, Book by Henry David Hwang, Music and Lyrics by Phil Collins
Pickleville Playhouse, 2049 S Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028
June 21-August 31, 2018, 1:00 PM, 4:30 PM, 8:00 PM on varying days and times
Tickets: $21-27 Adult, $16-$22 Child
Contact: 435-946-2918
Pickleville Playhouse Facebook Page
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