Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Stadium Theatre’s current musical is “Tarzan” which is based on the 1999 Disney film and the classic story by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It features music and lyrics by Phil Collins and book by David Henry Hwang. The classic tale unfolds in the early 1900’s as 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. The helpless baby is adopted by the mate of the leader of this tribe who is mourning the loss of her own baby gorilla. As he grows and matures, the boy yearns for acceptance from his ape father and the reason for his uniqueness. When he eventually encounters his first human, Jane Porter, their worlds collide and transform forever. Director Rebecca Donald casts topnotch performers for these roles while music director Alex Tirrell taught the cast Phil Collins’ music and choreographer Jennifer Webb creates some athletic choreography. This heart warming musical also teaches us to accept others even thought their appearance is different from us. This high energy musical receives a well deserved resounding and thunderous standing ovation from the appreciative audience.
Rebecca makes the adventure scenes flow along beautifully but she also makes the dramatic scenes standout, giving this script its needed strength. The second act is stronger dramatically than the first act. Alex’s splendid twelve piece orchestra adds to the atmosphere of this tale while he plays lead keyboards and conducts them. After the shipwreck, Tarzan’s parents are killed by a leopard who also kidnaps the gorilla leader’s baby. His mate, Kala adopts Tarzan but Kerchak refuses to accept him. Tarzan befriends a young gorilla called Terk. Years later Tarzan finally encounters humans when Jane and her father arrive in Africa. The jungle set is incredible as is the lighting by Adam Ramsey. You feel as if you were there in the jungle with all these characters. The flying effects are also terrific during the show.
Jack Cappadonna stars as Tarzan. He is excellent as this larger than life character. Jack’s powerful voice is heard in “Son of Man” and in a duet with Jane called “Different” which closes Act 1. Their voices soar in “For the First Time” which is the best song in the show. He also has athletic prowess climbing all over the place, swinging on vines and is very impressive in this role as he was in “Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Kate Davis as Jane Porter, has an impeccable British accent and a lovely soprano voice. She sings “Different” with Jack. Her first number is the exuberant “Waiting for this Moment” where she marvels at the wonders of the jungle. In Act 2 Jane tries to teach Tarzan about humans and human life in “Strangers Like Me” and in the emotionally draining “For the First Time” when she realizes that she’s in love with Tarzan. Kate also sings “Like No Man I’ve Ever Seen” with her father. She and Jack have great chemistry together and the crowd cheers when they get together at last.
Anthony Rinaldi commands the stage as Kerchak, the authority figure role. He sings “Two Worlds” with his mate, Kala, “No Other Way” when he punishes Tarzan for hunting with a spear and a poignant ballad with Kala called “Sure as Sun Turns to Moon” that demonstrates their love for each other. Anthony’s most poignant moment occurs when he lays dying after being shot and finally proclaims that Tarzan is his son. This definitely brings tears to the audience’s eyes. Chantell Arraial as Kala has the most emotional and poignant songs in the show. “You’ll Be in My Heart” when she finds Tarzan as a baby and “Everything I Am” when she reveals to Tarzan where he came from. These songs sound a lot like songs from “Lion King.” Chantell is fabulous in this emotional role and wins thunderous applause at her portrayal. Jouseph Santiago is the biggest scene stealer as Terk. His energetic and mischievous character shines in this show as he bounds about the stage dancing up a storm and swinging on vines. He also has a strong tenor voice and sings “Son of Man” and “Who Better Than Me” with Jack. Jouseph is a hoot in “Trashing the Camp” with the cast doing an energetic dance during it. Terk’s relationship with Tarzan are standout moments in the show at their warm camaraderie.
Nicholas Pellegrino is Clayton, Professor Porter’s guide and is the villain of the piece. He wants to kill Tarzan and capture the apes. However he ends up killing Kerchak and is thrown in the brig. I last reviewed Nicholas in the comic role of Moonface Martin in “Anything Goes” in July. The evil leopard who causes all the trouble is played by high flying Brianna Brown. She oozes with venom in this role. Tarzan kills her during “Son of Man.” Brian Wolfe Leonard as Jane’s Father, is torn when his daughter falls in love with Tarzan. She wants to remain in Africa with him and Professor Porter finally realizes that Jane needs to do this to be happy and fulfilled. Brian’s role is comical at first but becomes more serious when he realizes that family is important no matter where you come from. Young Tarzan is wonderfully played by Chase Belisle who sings his solo “I Need to Know” to Chantell to find out why Kerchak is always upset with him. This young boy steals the hearts of the audience during the first part of the show. Kudos to the hard working chorus who sing and dance up a storm during it. So for a family style musical, be sure to catch “Tarzan” at the Stadium Theatre before he flies out of town for good.
TARZAN (August 10 – 12)
Stadium Theatre, 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket, RI
1(401)762-4545 or www.stadiumtheatre.com
