‘Tarzan’ swings into Decorah High School November 11-13. Purchase your tickets online at decorahschools.ludus.com
October 29, 2021
Order your tickets online at Decorahschools.ludus.com.
The Decorah High School Drama program is proud to present the high-energy and high-flying “Tarzan the Stage Musical” Thursday, November 11 through Saturday, Nov. 13 in the DHS auditorium.
Based on Disney’s animated musical adventure and characters from Edgar Rice Burroughs’s novel, “Tarzan” tells the story of an infant boy washed up on the shores of West Africa, where he is taken in and raised by gorillas. While trying to earn acceptance from his ape father, Tarzan’s ingenuity helps him survive in the jungle until a human expedition treks into his territory, and he encounters creatures like himself for the first time. Tarzan struggles to navigate an emotional journey of self-discovery as his animal upbringing clashes with his human instincts. “Tarzan the Stage Musical” is a heartwarming story of family, sacrifice, love, and belonging for all ages. It is produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
Rock legend Phil Collins adapted and expanded music he wrote for the 1999 Disney film for the stage musical, and audiences will recognize favorites like “You’ll Be in My Heart,” “Son of Man,” and “Trashin’ the Camp.”
Designed by ZFX, a flying effects company out of Louisville, Kentucky, “Tarzan” features a fly system that allows characters to swing through the jungle. Local businesses and firms providing financial support for the fly system installation and training are Decorah Bank & Trust, Decorah Music Boosters, The Depot Outlet, and Hacker Nelson & Co.
Production staff includes producer/choreographer/assistant director Karen Trewin, music director/conductor Jason Rausch, stage director/costume designer Kristen Underwood, technical director Chris Hadley, set designer/fly director Mark Potvin, stage manager Anya Lovstuen, and box office manager Jackie Reckward.
Performances are Thursday, November 11 and Friday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 13 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for students and are available online at https://decorahschools.ludus.com/index.php and in the Decorah High School office. The box office will also open an hour before each show with house doors opening 30 minutes before showtime.
Cast members include principals Dylan Muhlbauer as Tarzan, Ada Lovelace as Jane, Sally Laybourn as Kala, Drew Chamberlain as Kerchak, Libby Phillips as Terk, Michael Njus as Professor Porter, Ella Grouws as Young Tarzan, and Jake Magner as Clayton. Supporting characters are Nolan Jacobsen as Tarzan’s human father, Alex Kane as Tarzan’s human mother, Jensen Korsness as the leopard, Max Wilson as Snipes, and Greta Jones as the Creature. Featured soloists are Jenna Hartz, Mikiah Krieg, and Haywood Stowe.
The Gorilla Ensemble features dancers and singers Liam Chamberlain, Davis Coppola, Jenna Hartz, Gabriel Hiner, Alex Kane, Sydney Kipp, Jensen Korsness, Caleb Krieg, Mikiah Krieg, Andy Kruger, Ellen Rooney, Kamryn Steines, Hayley Stowe, Haywood Stowe, Gwen Thompson, and Ezra Vorvick.
The Jungle Discovery Ensemble includes Koryn Bakken, Grace Blikre, Rebecca Bruening, Bethany Hanson, Elayna Hook, Greta Jones, Mya Redenius, Chloe Sheffield, Hope Stahl, Abbie Valkosky, Addison Wicklund, and Margret Zook.
The Shipwreck Ensemble and Expedition Crew includes Brielle Buresh, Bryce Elsbernd, Adam Jones, D’mitry Lesser, Simon Mumford, Nat Roberts, Annalise Skrade, Daniel Skrade, and Joe Stammeyer.
The Strangers Like Me ensemble includes Annaleissa Arnold, Elliana Brodbeck, Sophia Christman, Natalie Goodner, Sydney Hageman, Kealy Hines, Elsa Johnson, Rebecca Kane, and Riley Wilson.
Technical crews working on lights, sound, fly system, and backstage are Hannah Arendt, Karmyn Bakken, Raven Battle, Jr., Hallie Busta, Cody Carolan, Annika Keefe, Anya Lovstuen, Easton Luzum, Maran Martin, Amelia Pankow, Elizabeth Pritchard, Sylvia Sandhorst, Lily Sandhorst, Hogan Smith, Ruby Sullivan, and Kera Walter.
Volunteer adults serving as fly operators are Charlie Hoekstra, Mark Lovelace, Ryan Torkelson, and Abs Trewin.
Creating the melodies, harmonies, and rhythms of the jungle are orchestra members Mary Beth Bouska, Emma Humpal, Nadia Johnson, Janene Leeper, Linda Martin, Karin Martin-Hiner, Alex McGohan, Landon Miller, Mara Pankow, Brenna Parker, Susan Potvin, Steve Smith, Kassidy Steines, Eli Vorvick, Amelia Wadsworth, and Denise Wegge.
