As "Tarzan" swings off Broadway. . . Princess
of Mars?
Jim
Hill Media ~ July 6, 2007
It's likely that Pixar's first live action / animated
film will actually be a big screen adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs'
"A Princess of Mars" series. I'm told that the Disney brass views this
particular project as the logical stepping-off point for an entire series
of "John Carter of Mars" movies. And given that Mickey is franchise-crazy
these days ... Well, that's why "Princess" is now being fast-tracked while
"1906" remains in preliminary development. More>>>
Tarzan Swings Out of Richard Rodgers Theatre
NY
Playbill
~ July 8, 2007
In a recent statement Disney Theatrical producer
Thomas Schumacher said, "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."
The first European production of Tarzan officially opened
in Holland at the Circustheatre
near Amsterdam April 15. Heading the cast of the Dutch-language production
is 27-year-old Ron Link from Nijmegen in the title role with 27-year-old
Chantal Janzen from Tegelen as Jane. The original Broadway cast recording
of Tarzan is available on the Walt Disney Records label. More>>>
Tarzan The Musical to live on in Netherlands
Disney
Blog ~ June 27, 2007
Although Tarzan hasn't brought in the sustainable numbers
that's required to keep a big production open on Broadway, a slightly updated
version is making waves over seas. Right now its playing in the Netherlands
and Germany could be next:
"Tarzan there not only opened to impressive advance
ticket sales (the trick here not only being the Disney brand and Phil Collins
as composer but also the fact that the lead of Tarzan was casted in a tv-show)
but also glowing reviews. Why? The creative team from the Broadway was
able to correct many mistakes made in the original version of the show
that were only discovered too late in New York, due to the lack of a decent
out-of-town-try-outs. The result (according to reviewers who have seen
both versions) is a much more engaging, substantial show."
Playbill cites Disney Theatrical producer
Thomas Schumacher saying “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.
[…] 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.”
MouseKingdom
Blog
Tarzan not only opened in the Netherlands to impressive
advance ticket sales (the trick here not only being the Disney brand and
Phil Collins as composer but also the fact that the lead of Tarzan was
casted in a tv-show) but also glowing reviews. Why? The creative team from
the Broadway was able to correct many mistakes made in the original version
of the show that were only discovered too late in New York, due to the
lack of a decent out-of-town-try-outs. The result (according to reviewers
who have seen both versions) is a much more engaging, substantial show.
Too bad that Disney Theatricals robbed themselves of the chance to make
the necessary adjustements prior to the Broadway premiere and thus of the
chance to present a better show.
Disneyland: Tarzan's Treehouse is expected
to reopen on June 30.
Disney's 'Tarzan' closes its doors in N.Y.
Variety ~ June 23
Disney Theatrical Productions' "Tarzan" has posted a
closing notice for July 8 to end its fairly short run on Broadway in New
York. The show, which opened in May 2006 to mixed reviews and featured
music from Phil Collins, never built the sales momentum that made "The
Lion King" and "Mary Poppins" so successful, Variety.com reported. "The
sales trends over the last few weeks just haven't held up," said David
Schrader, managing director and CFO of Disney Theatrical. Besides "Tarzan"
Disney has seen a lot of success on Broadway, including "Aida," which played
a four-year run. "Tarzan" is running in the Netherlands in a retooled staging.
There is interest in the show in other markets as well, according to Schrader.
To
mark its one year anniversary on Broadway, Michael Lassell, author of Tarzan:
The Broadway Adventure—a lavishly illustrated hardback book detailing
the five year process of putting together the Disney musical's journey
to the Great White Way—hosted a starry book signing party at the Lincoln
Square Barnes & Noble bookstore on May 10.
A throng of Tarzan fans stepped in line to get our copy
signed by Lassell, as well as the show's stars Josh Strickland, Jenn Gambatese,
Chester Gregory II and its Oscar-winning composer (and 7-time Grammy-winning
pop star) Phil Collins. Playbill
Disney's
Tarzan to Premiere in Europe
Broadway
World ~ March 28, 2007
Disney’s Tarzan will enjoy its European Premiere at the
Circustheatre near Amsterdam, on April 15, 2007. The show is produced by
Disney and Stage Entertainment, who previously collaborated on six Disney
musicals in Europe, including The Lion King (in its sixth year in Germany),
Beauty and the Beast on tour in (Germany and Holland), and Elton John and
Tim Rice's Aida (on tour in Germany).
Disney Theatrical Productions president and producer Thomas
Schumacher comments, in the press release, "Our extraordinary partnership
with Stage Entertainment has given Bob Crowley and I an opportunity in
less than a year after opening on Broadway to revisit our show and create
this new production for Joop van den Ende and his gifted team."
Ron Link, a 27-year old from Nijmegen who stars in the
title role, beat out five semi-finalists in the reality television program,
"Wie Wordt Tarzan?" (Who is going to be Tarzan?), created specifically
to choose Holland's leading man for the musical. Over one million viewers
tuned in to the live TV show and cast their votes to select the new Dutch
Tarzan. Tarzan's love interest, Jane, will be Chantal Janzen, a 27-year
old actress from Tegelen.
Tarzan, based on the Disney animated film and featuring
music and lyrics by Phil Collins, made its world premiere on Broadway on
May 10th, 2006 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. The show celebrated its
350th performance earlier this month.
See the ERBzine coverage of the Dutch Premiere: www.ERBzine.com/holland
Disney's 'Tarzan: The Broadway Adventure' Book
On Sale
Broadway
World ~ March 27, 2007
Disney Editions, an imprint of Disney Book Group, has
announced the release of the book Tarzan: The Broadway Adventure by Michael
Lassell. "Tarzan: The Broadway Adventure is an intimate backstage look
at the five-year development process of Tarzan, from early concept drawings
to auditions and exploratory flying workshops, through rehearsals and previews,
and even to the gala opening night. The book features never-before-published
photography of the cast at work as well as a look at the collaboration
among the members of the creative team. Tarzan: The Broadway Adventure
features the photos of three amazing photographers: acclaimed Broadway
production photographer Joan Marcus, revolutionary sports photographer
Heinz Kluetmeier and stylized portraits by renowned photographer Ruven
Afanador," state press materials.
"The book gives the reader a peek at the production from
the inside, a story that isn’t told anywhere else. In this colorful volume
are exquisite costume and set design sketches and models as well as images
of the set in all stages of its development. The book conveys the full
beauty of the show’s unequalled drama and offers readers unique insight
into a process few will ever see. It’s the next best thing to a front-row
seat."
Author Michael Lassell was given complete behind-the-scenes
access to the production. He says of Tarzan: The Broadway Adventure,
"I love going to the theater and being surprised, but I have the kind of
mind that always wants to know 'How did they do that?' Observing the rehearsal
process is really the only way to find out, because what you see in the
theater is meant to hide the mechanisms behind the magic. Because this
production rehearsed for so long on the actual set, the rehearsal process
for this show was much closer to performance than is usual. Especially
when the company was in Brooklyn, with set building and costume construction
and harness fittings and rigging and dancing going on all the time—on two
facing sets. Bob Crowley called the studio 'an ecology' of activity. It
was a masterpiece of organization and a real privilege to watch.”
Published by Disney Editions, the book has a list price
of $40. More>>>
The musical opened May 10, 2006 at the Richard Rodgers
Theatre (226 West 46th Street) on Broadway.
Premiere night for Tarzan the Musical in Holland will
be April 15 at Circustheatre near The Hague: www.ERBzine.com/holland
Many escorted holiday
packages include live theater like this as part of their itinerary.
Jersey Boys' Trujillo Working
on European Tarzan
Playbill
News
Broadway
World News ~ March 19, 2007
Sergio Trujillo, who was nominated for a Drama Desk Award
for his choreography for Jersey Boys, is currently in Amsterdam working
on the European debut of Disney's Tarzan.
Tarzan, as previously reported, will open April 15 at
the Circustheatre near Amsterdam. Heading the cast of the Dutch-language
production will be 27-year-old Ron Link from Nijmegen in the title role
with 27-year-old Chantal Janzen from Tegelen as Jane.
Trujillo, according to a presss release, is "collaborating
on a new concept for the European production of [Tarzan]." The choreographer
said in a statement, "I am truly honored to be working with Disney. Tarzan
is a wonderfully inventive show and I look forward to moving the characters
and story in new and different ways."
In addition to Jersey Boys, Trujillo also choreographed
All Shook Up, the City Center Encores! productions of Kismet and A Tree
Grows in Brooklyn. He also choreographed Zhivago and The Wiz, both at the
La Jolla Playhouse.
More>>>
TARZAN Celebrates 350 Performances on Broadway
TARZAN® will celebrated 350 performances on Broadway
on Sunday, March 11th. Heralded by Time Magazine as “sensational” and by
The Financial Times as “the only show of the [2005-2006] season that places
us joyously in a world of wonder, TARZAN® has proven to be a hit, having
set the box office record at the Richard Rodgers Theatre an impressive
five times in 2006. Audiences have responded enthusiastically with over
368,000 people having seen the show on Broadway to date. Disney Theatrical
Productions started 2006 with the world premiere of Broadway’s high-flying
adventure, TARZAN®, one of the most artistically innovative shows to
come to Broadway in recent memory.
TARZAN® opened May 10, 2006 at the Richard Rodgers
Theatre (226 West 46th Street). TARZAN® is presented by Disney
Theatrical Productions (Thomas Schumacher, Producer). Featuring direction,
set, and costume design by multi-Tony Award® winner Bob Crowley,
and music by Academy Award® and multiple-GRAMMY® winner Phil
Collins, TARZAN® has thrilled audiences since opening in May
2006.” The original cast recording of TARZAN® was released by Walt
Disney Records and is available now at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, in
music stores nationwide and at online retailers including Amazon, iTunes
and Disney Shopping.
Disney’s first international production of TARZAN®
is currently in rehearsals and will open April 15, 2007 at the Circustheatre
near Amsterdam. The production is a continuation of a long-standing partnership
between Disney Theatrical Productions and Stage Entertainment, the collaboration
that has mounted six Disney musicals in Europe, grossing over $400 million
in ticket sales.
Insatiable appetite for Disney musicals
Monsters
and Critics ~ March 15, 2007
The number of Disney musicals on New York's Broadway
has doubled to four in the past year, and the number of productions opening
in other cities has also increased. 'It's unprecedented,' said Thomas Schumacher,
president of Disney Theatrical Productions, which this year will open 'The
Lion King' in Johannesburg and Paris, and 'Tarzan' in Holland. www.ERBzine.com/holland
Disney has headed the comeback of Times Square and 42nd
Street and scored a stream of hits for a decade. When one show closes,
another opens. 'Beauty and the Beast' closes in July and will be replaced
by 'The Little Mermaid' by year end. 'Tarzan' and 'Mary Poppins' both opened
on Broadway last year, resulting in an increase of Disney's Broadway revenues
by 42 per cent, or $39 million, to a total of $131 million, according to
Disney.
But where Disney has succeeded on Broadway others have
failed. Its rival Warner Bros. challenged Disney's opening of 'Tarzan'
last year with its Broadway foray, the Elton John musical 'Lestat.' While
Tarzan received mixed reviews but continues on Broadway, 'Lestat' flopped
and closed within two months.
More>>>
Disney Theatrical Productions Press Release
NEW YORK, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Following an historic
2006 marked by tremendous growth and unparalleled success on Broadway,
in touring markets, and internationally, Disney Theatrical Productions
(Thomas Schumacher, Producer, Disney Theatrical Productions) is preparing
for a 2007 which promises exciting collaborations with some of theatre's
most talented artists. . .
TARZAN(R) THRILLS BROADWAY AUDIENCES
Disney Theatrical Productions started 2006 with the world
premiere of Broadway's high-flying adventure, TARZAN(R), one of the most
artistically innovative shows to come to Broadway in recent memory. Featuring
direction, set, and costume design by multi-Tony Award(R) winner Bob Crowley,
and music by Academy Award(R) and multiple-GRAMMY(R) winner Phil Collins,
TARZAN(R) has thrilled audiences since opening in May 2006. Heralded by
Time Magazine as "sensational" and by The Financial Times as "the only
show of the [2005-2006] season that places us joyously in a world of wonder,"
TARZAN(R) has proven to be a hit, having set the box office record at the
Richard Rodgers Theatre an impressive five times in 2006. Audiences have
responded enthusiastically with over 368,000 people having seen the show
on Broadway to date.
EXPANDING GLOBAL SUCCESS
Disney's first international production of TARZAN(R)
is currently in rehearsals and will open April 15, 2007 at the Circustheatre
near Amsterdam. The production is a continuation of a long-standing partnership
between Disney Theatrical Productions and Stage Entertainment, the collaboration
that has mounted six Disney musicals in Europe, grossing over $400 million
in ticket sales.
(C) 2006 Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., and Disney Enterprises
Inc. All rights reserved.
TARZAN(R) owned by Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. and used
by permission.
Brief Encounter with Disney Tarzan Producer,
Thomas Schumacher
Playbill.com
~ September 19, 2006
Playbill.com: What's the marketing plan for Tarzan
since the reviews weren't terrific?
TS: If you're in the theatre and you watch the
show, you're having a great time, and that audience is having a fantastic
time. Reviews, historically for us, have not been the indicator of whether
a show is going to do well or not. . . . The advantage I have with
Tarzan is that there is a connection with the audience, the advance has
been very strong, and it has not substantially eroded, which is great.
. . . I have a better advance going forward to the end of year on Tarzan
than for any of our other shows, other than Mary Poppins. We've shot
a commercial that ties into radio, which ties into print [plus an] enormous
number of group things. Group scores are really high; groups are a big
part of our business.
Playbill.com: Are there any plans for a tour of
Tarzan?
TS: We're actually casting today for the [next]
production. I'm going to do sit-downs, so the next one opens in Amsterdam.
. . . I have to finish final casting in four weeks in Amsterdam. . . .
We open Amsterdam, then we open Germany, and then I'm hoping for one more
country. More>>>
Disney Theatrical Productions, Ltd.
September 12, 2006
Mr. Danton Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.
Tarzana, CA 91356
Dear Danton,
Can you believe that summer has come and gone? It seems
like just yesterday we were organizing your trip to the City for opening
night!
The summer has brought many triumphs for our beloved Tarzan.
We broke the Richard Rodgers Theatre box office record in July and then
went on to break our own record two more times throughout the course of
the summer. We now are preparing for our holiday marketing campaign where
we will launch our new television commercial -- I have included a DVD of
the commercial for you to see for yourself.
We hired a fantastic director, Gregor Nicholas, from New
Zealand to direct the commercial. Prior to our commercial Gregor had directed
commercials for many well known companies such as Nike. You will find that
the piece is athletic, handsome, and sharp.
Other efforts of interest include Weekend TODAY on NBC
airing a new piece on the show that highlighted Phil's participation and
work. The Laughing Place Magazine also featured the show on their cover
in addition to a fantastic article. I have included both pieces for you
to see for yourself.
Plans are still being made for the Holland and German
productions of Tarzan as well. Tom will be travelling to Amsterdam in October
to promote the show and introduce it to their market. Rehearsal for Amsterdam
will begin in January of 2007 with an opening set for April 15th -- just
shy of our one year anniversary on Broadway.
I, as always, will keep you up-to-date as we move forward
with all things Tarzan related.
Warm regards,
Dusty Bennett
1450 Broadway, New York, NY
Stars Visit Holland to Launch Tarzan,
The Musical
TarzanOnBroadway.com
~ October 13, 2006
Tarzan’s Broadway stars Josh Strickland (Tarzan), Jenn
Gambatese (Jane) and Chester Gregory (Terk) paid a visit to Amsterdam last
week to help introduce Tarzan in Holland. The actors performed songs
from Tarzan at a presentation hosted by Disney Theatrical Productions’
President Thomas Schumacher, who noted the great success of Disney Theatrical’s
long relationship with Joop van den Ende and Stage Entertainment.
Stage Entertainment's production of Tarzan will open at
Holland's Circustheatreon April 15, 2007 -- less than twelve months following
the show's opening on Broadway. Tarzan opened on Broadway on May 10, 2006
at the Richard Rodgers Theatre where it has set a new box office record.
A third production is expected to follow in Germany in 2008. In addition,
members of the Tarzan creative team from both New York and London were
in Amsterdam this past week to continue auditions for the Disney Theatrical
Productions and Stage Entertainment production of Tarzan. The casting process
is underway in Holland, with casting decisions to be announced in the coming
months.
When Tarzan opens in April, the 100-year old Circustheatre
will hold the unique distinction of being the only venue in the world to
host productions of all of Disney's Broadway productions to date --Elton
John and Tim Rice's Aida played for eighteen months from October 2001 to
April 2003 and was followed by The Lion King's record-smashing 28-month
engagement. Stage Entertainment's Dutch-language tour of Beauty and the
Beast is currently playing there through the end of the year.
See
More at ERBzine's Tarzan in Holland
Visit the ERBzine Facebook Group :: Over 4,600
Members
www.facebook.com/groups/ERBzine
In
1912, Edgar Rice Burroughs introduced the character of Tarzan to the world
in his imaginative tale, “Tarzan of the Apes,” and in no time, his career
was off and running. Tarzan has since been featured in 26 authorized novels
and 44 motion pictures. Burroughs decided to take his career a step further
by launching his own company, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. He died on March
19, 1950. His writing and characters entertained three generations of readers
and moviegoers. At present, the Burroughs family, including grandson, Danton
Burroughs manages the corporation. Danton Burroughs and I sat down to speak
about Tarzan, the Broadway Musical, as well as the life of his grandfather.
Danton
Burroughs: My grandfather played with the evolution theory and he created
the name Tarzan. The first name he had was Nazrat and then he changed the
syllables around to Tarzan. We have the original manuscript and you can
see where he is actually thinking and changing the names. He just had a
way with words and he created a mythical character in 1911. As soon as
Tarzan came out, it was an immediate success. It also came out in England.
My grandfather got so much fan mail. His pseudonym was Normal Bean, but
when the book came out in 1914, he was credited as Edgar Rice Burroughs.
First movie was 1918. It was also one of the first movies to gross over
a million dollars. It starred Gordon Griffith as the young Tarzan and Elmo
Lincoln as Tarzan himself. Elmo Lincoln was a big hit at the time.
