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| Jacob Currie and Ariana Latvaaho photo by Stephanie Carpenter |
highlights from local critics reviews - (click link at bottom of each review to read complete review)
Click here for more information on this production that runs through May 30
"The Walt Disney company has had many successes in turning their hugely popular animated films into hit Broadway musicals, but some that didn't catch quite as well as their phenomenal stage adaptations of The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. One of these less successful musicals was Tarzan, which ran just over a year on Broadway. However, just because a show didn't quite succeed on Broadway doesn't mean it can't become one that many regional and youth theatres produce. Christian Youth Theater Phoenix's production proves that this musical works exceptionally well when presented by a youth theatre....the expanded stage adaptation does an excellent job in capturing the strong and touching mother-son bond at the center of the story...director Elise Palma and the large cast instill an abundance of rich emotion while providing plenty of energy in this CYT production....As Tarzan, Jacob Currie has the appropriate lean, athletic physique the character is famous for, and his wise acting choices provide an appropriately inquisitive nature in Tarzan's character as well as in how he questions his place in the ape tribe when he becomes aware that he is different and doesn't quite fit in among those who raised him. Currie is delivering a strong, solid performance...Ariana Latvaaho does a wonderful job instilling Jane with an always-present sense of discovery and curiosity and her singing voice is bright and clear. The duet Currie and Latvaaho share, "For the First Time," is beautifully sung. Brianna Morelock brings a huge amount of warmth and heart to the role of Kala, creating many realistic and poignant moments in the relationships Kala has with Tarzan and Kerchak, while also beautifully depicting the strong bond a mother has with her adopted child. Morelock is excellent in the role. Dillon Fifield is strong and commanding as Kerchak...While Tarzan may not be a perfect musical, with a strong cast and effective production elements, plus a beautiful sense of poignancy set amongst the show's high flying adventure and comical moments, CYT's production is a winner." -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)
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