Many St. George residents will get the opportunity to see Disney's first Utah production of "Tarzan," the stage musical. Tuacahn Center for the Arts was recently granted exclusive rights from Disney to produce the musical for its outdoor amphitheater. "Tarzan," based on the American author Edgar Rice Burroughs' best known creation of the jungle hero and the popular 1999 Disney film, brings a touch of the African jungles to the desert of southern Utah. "We are the first and only regional theater to receive the rights to produce Disney's 'Tarzan,'" said Kevin Smith, Tuacahn's chief executive officer. "Of all the regional theaters in America, Disney chose our theater here in Ivins, Utah." The production features songs from the Disney film along with several others written specifically for the Broadway production, Smith said. The show's Grammy Award-winning musical score was written by renowned singer and songwriter Phil Collins. "Tarzan" was originally scheduled to be at a theater in Atlanta, a much larger metropolitan area with greater potential, but because of economic hardships the theater was unable to produce it. As a result, Disney awarded the rights to Tuacahn. "It was fortunate for us that they (the Atlanta theater) weren't able to produce it," Smith said. "Disney came right to us and said, 'let's have you guys do it.' So here we are producing what I think could be the best selling show at Tuacahn ever." Currently at Tuacahn, "Tarzan" is outselling "Les Miserables," which is significant. To date, "Les Miserables" is the highest grossing production ever produced by Tuacahn and the highest attended. Smith said "Les Miserables" either tied or broke the record as the highest grossing show of the approximate 20 regional theaters that produced the musical. He said he fully believes "Tarzan" will exceed the numbers that "Les Miserables" was able to achieve, and he is particularly excited about the cast that has been hired for the production. Auditions were held in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, New York City and Las Vegas, and more than 1,400 individuals showed up for only 46 parts. Actor James Royce Edwards, from Los Angeles, will be playing the lead role of "Tarzan." He was chosen because of his talent, good looks and physique. Although it's not been officially released to the public until now, he has agreed to the contract, and Smith said Edwards was the man for the job. "You have to be in a loin cloth for most of the show, so you have to look good to pull that off," Smith said. "He'll pack 'em in just because of his talent and his looks. He can sing and he can dance, and he's got credits on other Broadway tours, so he'll be great." Besides "Tarzan," Tuacahn Center for the Arts will be producing other shows as part of its annual "Broadway in the Desert" series. Old Deuteronomy and the rest of the Jellicle Cats are back by popular demand this summer, as "Cats" returns to Tuacahn. This musical was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and was based on "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" by T. S. Eliot. "'Cats' will sell very well; it was hugely successful the last time we did it," Smith said. "Crazy for You" by Ken Ludwig is the third and final production of a powerful triad of Broadway musicals to grace the outdoor stages of Tuacahn in 2010. The music is by George Gershwin with lyrics by his younger brother Ira. The plot is nothing new, having been adapted from the songwriting team's 1930s musical, "Girl Crazy." This is a musical comedy with funny humor, great scenery and one of the most popular musical scores of the century. It was awarded the 1992 Tony Award for Best Musical. Smith said he believes it will be another sure hit for Tuacahn. The Center for the Arts has established a great working relationship with Disney and looks forward to bringing other notable productions such as "The Lion King," "Mary Poppins," "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast" to the stages of Tuacahn in the near future. Productions of this type are an opportunity for local talent to showcase their theatrical abilities. "A local girl was in 'Les Miserables' and someone from Disney saw her and drafted her in for her own TV show," said Jenny Huntsman, an administrative assistant at Tuacahn. "It's an amazing opportunity for them." Besides Broadway musicals and theatrical performances, the Tuacahn Center for the Arts outdoor amphitheater and indoor Hafen Theater also play host to their annual concert series. They've welcomed such noted performers and groups as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Vienna Boys Choir, Foreigner, Kenny Rogers, Gladys Knight, Rick Springfield, Diamond Rio and many others. The center is able to lure such marquee names partly because of the unique, intimate setting that it offers and also by being sensitive to the travel and routing schedules of the various artists that commit to performing there. "Once they come out here, they're just blown away," Smith said. "The facilities are very professional. Our back stage area with the green room and dressing rooms and staging areas are as good as it gets for an outdoor amphitheater." The 2010 Tuacahn spring concert series will include such names as the legendary 1970s rock band Kansas, and American singer-songwriter John Ondrasik's band Five for Fighting. Grammy-award-winning solo artist Michael Bolton will also be making his first appearance in southern Utah. Other notables returning to the stage this spring include Creedence Clearwater Revisited along with two of the original founding members of Creedence Clearwater Revival. One of America's most beloved bands of all time, The Beach Boys, will also be returning for a third visit to center stage this spring. "We try to put on a professional experience with each production," Smith said. "We draw a big crowd. We also have a big family following." For more information, call the Tuacahn box office at 652-3300 or visit its Web site at www.Tuacahn.org for current show times and ticket prices.
Dixie Sun > Arts & Entertainment
'Broadway in the Desert' season to feature 'Tarzan'
Published: Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Updated: Monday, August 16, 2010 08:08
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