Tarzan Won't Be Hanging Around Broadway Much LongerIt's a jungle out there!
Despite hanging on longer than just about anyone predicted,
Disney's
Tarzan stage musical will close on July 8.
After taking a
critical drubbing last year and earning exactly one Tony nomination (for lighting), most prognosticators would have thought the
Bob Crowley-helmed
Phil Collins tuner would have swung out of the
Richard Rodgers Theatre much sooner. But credit the well-oiled Disney publicity and marketing machine for enabling the show to stay in place for a total of 486 regular performances it will have played when it finally shutters. To date, the musical has earned over $41 million at the box office -- not bad for a show that was nearly universally panned.
But fear not, Tarzan fans. You can still see the Dutch version of the show, which opened April 13; apparently it's wildly successful. In the meantime, once its
Beauty And The Beast closes shortly, Disney will have to settle for having a mere two shows on the Great White Way until its
The Little Mermaid opens late in the year.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
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Related Stories: Labels: Broadway, Closing Notices, Disney, Film, Musical, Tarzan
Which Current Broadway Musical Would You Pull The Plug On?One week ago, I started a brand new poll feature on Steve On Broadway (SOB) to quickly gauge what you and other regular readers are thinking about theatre. Today, you'll find a third in my series of polls specifically asking about Broadway musicals -- the latest one asks, "Which current Broadway musical would you pull the plug on?"
I invite you to provide your pick for the show that you believe is past its prime and should make way for the next big Broadway smash. You'll find the actual poll along the right hand column of Steve On Broadway (SOB), as well as the two earlier polls that remain open for you to share your opinion.
Also, feel free to share your opinion on why you're voting the way you are, along with any other comments you'd like to make. As always, whether you think my opinion mirrors yours or is just plain wrong, I promise to post each comment that seeks to engage in a thoughtful discussion on theatre.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:Which New Broadway Musical Revival Are You Most Enthusiastic About Seeing? (October 19, 2006)
Which New Broadway Musical Are You Most Enthusiastic About Seeing? (October 16, 2006)
Take The Steve On Broadway (SOB) Poll (October 15, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Musical, SOB Poll, Tarzan, The Phantom Of The Opera, The Producers
Disney Moves from Continent to ContinentDespite the almost universal critical drubbing of Disney's
Tarzan, the musical is still raking it in at the box office with over 94% of last week's seats being sold. Apparently, the reviews also are not detering Disney from taking the show across the Atlantic, though rather than a West End bow, the Phil Collins tuner will instead be mounted first in the Netherlands during 2007 and then in Germany.
The musical that may get the next shot in London for Disney could be a stage adaptation of
The Little Mermaid.
Playbill is reporting that six UK-based performers will take part in a one week lab there during mid-June for the Alan Menken musical with book by David Ives.
And finally, flying from the rooftops of London to New York is the long-anticipated arrival this fall of the Disney collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh,
Mary Poppins. Having already seen this excellent adaptation in London in 2004, I can tell you it's practically perfect in every way, but dramatically different than the movie version. And since I've already purchased my tickets, I can tell you that there are a variety of presales currently available including to Visa Signature Card holders, Disney Visa Cardholders and those who have signed up for Disney e-mails. I found my best bet was in obtaining premium seats for January, 2007 by using Disney's special code MPMM. It landed me in the third row. This is sure to be the most celebrated show of the 2006-07 season so best get your tickets now!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for Mary Poppins (Broadway) tickets.Click here for Mary Poppins (London) tickets.Related Stories:Flashback: Best of 2004-05 (May 26, 2006)
Most Critics Find Tarzan Less Than D’Vine (May 11, 2006)
Tarzan Swings Into Broadway Tonight (May 10, 2006)
Rejoice! Gavin Lee to Cross Atlantic for Mary Poppins on Broadway (May 8, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, London, Mary Poppins, Musical, Tarzan, The Little Mermaid
Most Critics Find Tarzan Less Than D’VineTarzan, the super-expensive Disney Broadway entry in the 2005-06 theatre season fell far short in its reach for the critical ropes. In the reviews, only one critic seemed to enjoy herself. In awarding *** stars to the final show of the season, USA Today’s Elysa Gardner gushes, “Not since I saw Elton John's Billy Elliot in London last year have I been as impressed with the uncynical warmth and charm of a kid-friendly musical.”
Quite frankly, as much as I enjoyed Billy Elliot - The Musical, it was most definitely not kid-friendly (in fact, there is even a parental advisory on the Web site, advising, "As a rule of thumb, when booking tickets for parties including children, please consider the film version of "Billy Elliot" --rated 15 -- and whether this would be suitable for all members of your party." Kid-friendly, indeed.)
Perhaps it's that delusion that separates Gardner from her other colleagues, including those who take issue directly with the Disney organization. Ben Brantley of The New York Times excoriates the spectacle by digging, “…We now have conclusive evidence that the Disneyfied Tarzan does indeed flatten perversely when translated from two dimensions into three." Clive Barnes of New York Post further points blame by noting "...the show was wrecked from the onset by its concept. Perhaps the Disney people will realize that not every one of their cartoons contains the kernel of a great Broadway show." Howard Kissel of New York Daily News sums up his negative review with "Tarzan wouldn't make the grade as a ride at Disney World. On Broadway, it seems merely a tourist trap."
Newsday’s Linda Winer snipes that the latest Disney musical begs for comparisons with its gold standard Broadway hit The Lion King, explaining simply, "Tarzan disappoints big time…. Despite the expertise, the evening feels amateurish.” Michael Kuchwara of the Associated Press inveighs that “...The show, directed and designed by Bob Crowley, is emotionally and musically lightweight -- almost as skimpy as Tarzan's leather loincloth.”
As noted previously, given the box office muscle and SRO crowds Tarzan has already pulled, one wonders whether the show -- despite the critical pans -- is likely to be on the ropes anytime soon.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.
Related Stories:
Flashback: Best of 2004-05 (May 26, 2006)
Disney Moves from Continent to Continent (May 22, 2006)
Tarzan Swings Into Broadway Tonight (May 10, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Critics' Capsule, Musical, Tarzan
Tarzan Swings Into Broadway TonightDisney's latest animated movie feature turned Broadway production --
Tarzan -- opens tonight at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. If advance ticketing is any indication, this will be a huge hit. With a score written by Phil Collins,
Tarzan's movie incarnation was about the last major old-school animated success for Disney. Collins has written more tunes for the stage version that includes newcomer -- OK, direct from "American Idol" -- Josh Strickland in the title role. In the supporting cast, look for Tony Award winner Shuler Hensley, who winningly brought new emotional depth to Jud Fry in the West End and Broadway's last version of
Oklahoma a few years back. We'll see tomorrow which way the critical reviews swing for this umpteenth version of the classic jungle story.
Click here for tickets.Labels: Broadway, Disney, Film, Musical, Oklahoma, Opening Night, Phil Collins, Tarzan
